Open Doors’ CEO David Curry appointed to US Commission on International Religious Freedom
Curry vows to highlight overlooked incidents of global religious persecution as
member of influential committee
WASHINGTON — Open Doors’ CEO Dr. David Curry has been appointed to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), alongside former U.S. Congressman Frank R. Wolf and Uyghur attorney Nury Turkel, who was reappointed. USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on religious freedom abroad.
“In too many countries today, exercising the fundamental right to practice one’s faith comes at a terrible price,” said Curry. “People everywhere should have freedom to worship and live out their religious convictions peacefully without fear of governments, extremists or cultural pressure. I’m honored to serve on this bipartisan commission.”
Curry added, “I’d also like to congratulate Congressman Frank Wolf, whose outspoken advocacy on religious freedom over many decades is unparalleled, as well as Nury Turkel, whose courageous efforts have shined a spotlight on the genocide being perpetrated against the Uyghur community in China. I look forward to working with them, my fellow Commissioners and the staff of the Commission to advance religious freedom and to further elevate the voices of those who are persecuted for their faith.”
USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and/or leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives, and make foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief.
Former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and Open Doors USA Senior Fellow, Sam Brownback, said, “These appointments could not come at a better time. Religious freedom is a right that belongs to everyone, everywhere, all the time, and it’s a right that is constantly under attack. USCIRF plays a key role in reporting to Congress and the Administration on violations of religious freedom around the world, and in making policy recommendations to address these violations. I look forward to supporting Dr. Curry, Congressman Wolf, Nury Turkel and the other Commissioners in any way I can as they conduct their important work.”
As CEO of Open Doors, Curry has traveled extensively in regions where Christian freedom is imperiled in order to help those who have been marginalized due to their faith, and to assist and bring attention to communities that have been targets of Christian persecution. Please direct media inquiries to: [email protected].
About Open Doors USA
For more than 60 years, Open Doors USA has worked in the world’s most oppressive and restrictive countries for Christians. Open Doors works to equip and encourage Christians living in dangerous circumstances with the threat of persecution and to mobilize the Western church to pray and advocate for the persecuted. Christians are one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries. For more information, visit OpenDoorsUSA.org.
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Contact:
Paige Collins
Open Doors USA
615-934-4162
[email protected]
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