One of the guiding purposes and principles behind the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) is to make the issue of international religious freedom an integral part of this nation's foreign policy agenda. The conditions of religious freedom in certain countries may be grave and deteriorating -- in many instances on account of factors beyond the control of the U.S. -- but not, if the IRFA process is working properly and vigorously, on account of a lack of attention paid to the issue as a matter of U.S. foreign policy. This report of the U.S. Comm. on International Religious Freedom assesses the vitality and effectiveness of certain parts of the IRFA process as it is functioning in its second year.

Annual report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom : hearing before the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventh Congress, first session, May 24, 2001.