媒体声明
国务卿迈克尔R.蓬佩奥
华盛顿DC
2018年10月26日
今天，我们纪念1998年国际宗教自由法案（IRF法案）签署成为法律20周年。IRF法案拓展了美国外交政策促进和捍卫世界各地宗教自由的能力。它以我们的开国元勋们的坚定信念为基础并将其发扬光大，这个坚定信念就是，个人有自由依自己意愿而信仰，这项天赋人权是一个国家成功的核心所在。
保护宗教自由是特朗普政府外交政策的核心内容，保护这一人权是我们身为美国人的根本特质。宗教自由在我们的宪法所列举的权利中位列首项。在宗教自由蓬勃发展的地方，有更大的稳定性和更多的经济机会。
自IRF法案签署以来的二十年中，我们已取得了重大进展。我为我们在国务部拥有的团队感到骄傲，在布朗贝克大使的带领下，他们每天为推进宗教自由而不懈努力。但是在这一天，我们也记得，在世界各地的一些地方如此多人无法自由地敬拜或活出他们所选择的信仰。今天，我们重申每个人所拥有的与生俱来的价值和尊严，他们由我们的造物主赋予不可剥夺的生命、自由和追求幸福的权利。虽然宗教自由面对的挑战是巨大的，但它们并非不可克服，我们将继续不懈努力，以确保所有人都可以享有这一普世自由。
International Religious Freedom Day
Press Statement
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
October 26, 2018
Today we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRF Act) into law. The IRF Act expanded U.S. foreign policy capabilities to promote and defend religious freedom around the world. It builds on our founding fathers’ firm conviction that the freedom of individuals to believe as they see fit is a God-given right that is central to the success of a nation.
The protection of religious freedom is central to the Trump administration’s foreign policy, and protecting this human right is an essential part of who we are as Americans. Religious freedom appears first among the rights enumerated in our Constitution. Where religious freedom flourishes, there is greater stability and more economic opportunity.
In the twenty years since the IRF Act was signed, we have made significant progress. I am proud of the team we have at the State Department, led by Ambassador Brownback, who work tirelessly to advance religious freedom every day. But on this day, we are also mindful of those places around the world where so many are not free to worship or live out their faith as they choose. Today, we reaffirm the inherent worth and dignity found in every person, who are endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Though the challenges to religious freedom are daunting, they are not insurmountable, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that all may enjoy this universal freedom.
