PUBLIC LAW 105-292—OCT. 27, 1998 112 STAT. 2811 TITLE V—PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SEC. 501. ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. (a) FINDINGS. —Congress makes the following findings: 2i use 2i5in (1) In many nations where severe violations of religious note. freedom occur, there is not sufficient statutory legal protection for religious minorities or there is not sufficient cultural and social understanding of international norms of religious freedom. (2) Accordingly, in the provision of foreign assistance, the United States should make a priority of promoting and developing legal protections and cultural respect for religious freedom. (b) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR INCREASED PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS.—Section 116(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(e)) is amended by inserting ", including the right to free religious belief and practice" after "adherence to civil and political rights". SEC. 502. INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING. Section 303(a) of the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6202(a)) is amended— (1) by striking "and" at the end of paragraph (6); (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and inserting "; and"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(8) promote respect for human rights, including freedom of religion.". SEC. 503. INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES. Section 102(b) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2452(b)) is amended— (1) by striking "and" after paragraph (10); (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (11) and inserting "; and"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(12) promoting respect for and guarantees of religious freedom abroad by interchanges and visits between the United States and other nations of religious leaders, scholars, and religious and legal experts in the field of religious freedom.". SEC. 504. FOREIGN SERVICE AWARDS. (a) PERFORMANCE PAY.— Section 405(d) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3965(d)) is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: "Such service in the promotion of internationaly recognized human rights, including the right to freedom of religion, shall serve as a basis for granting awards under this section.". (b) FOREIGN SERVICE AWARDS.— Section 614 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4013) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: "Distinguished, meritorious service in the promotion of internationaly recognized human rights, including the right to freedom of religion, shall serve as a basis for granting awards under this section.".
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