Tell Congress and the Obama Administration to Support Freedom of Expression

Our global community finds itself in the midst of a human rights crisis. Many governments and institutions around the world are punishing individuals simply for deviating from, in word or in deed, religions and commonly practiced cultural customs. 

Consider just a few examples:

• In Saudi Arabia, Raif Badawi, 30, was sentenced to 7 years in prison and 600 lashes for creating a website devoted to open discussion on religion and politics. 
• In Indonesia, Alexander Aan was sentenced to 30 months in prison for posting on Facebook that he is an atheist. 
• In Pakistan, Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five has been sentenced to death for allegedly making derogatory comments about Muhammad. 
• In Egypt, Christians have been subjected to violent threats and physical violence due to their religion. Alber Saber, a 28-year-old atheist, was arrested during the recent riots for "insulting religion."
• In Iran, seven members of the Bahá'í Faith have been sentenced to twenty years in prison simply for belonging to a minority religion. 

Despite what leaders in these countries would have us believe, the rights to freedom of religion, belief, and expression are not luxuries valued mainly by Westerners. Several important international treaties and agreements, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, make clear that these rights are universal, possessed by all persons, regardless of their geography or nationality. 

Laws restricting human thought and speech are unacceptable. No person should face social or legal punishment simply for belonging to a specific religion, or none at all, or for speaking about his or her beliefs in public -- and no topic should be off limits. 

Write your elected officials now and tell them to make the promotion of the rights to freedom of religion, belief, and expression an integral part of their agendas.