2017 International Religious Freedom Report

 

At the release of the 2017 International Religious Freedom Report, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the report “a testament¹ to the United States' historic role in preserving and advocating for religious freedom around the world:”

“Religious freedom is in the American bloodstream.It's what brought the pilgrims here from England. Our founders² understood it as our first freedom. That is why they articulated it so clearly in the First Amendment³.As James Madison wrote years before he was president or secretary of state: “conscience is the most sacred of all property.”

“Religious freedom,” said Secretary Pompeo, “was vital to America's beginning. Defending it is critical to our future.”

Religious freedom belongs not only to Americans but to every individual around the world. Furthermore, “advancing liberty and religious freedom advances America's interests,” declared Secretary Pompeo:

“Where fundamental freedoms of religion, expression, press, and peaceful assembly are under attack, we find conflict, instability, and terrorism. On the other hand, governments and societies that champion these freedoms are more secure, stable, and peaceful.”

The Trump⁴ National Security Strategy clearly states America's commitment to religious liberty: “Our Founders understood religious freedom not as the state's creation, but as the gift of God to every person and a fundamental right for a flourishing society.”

The release of the 2017 International Religious Freedom Report provides the status of religious freedom in nearly 200 countries and territories, and documents reports of violations⁵ and abuses committed by governments, terrorist groups, and individuals.

The world has made important strides, but much work remains⁶ to be done. In that regard, Secretary Pompeo announced that the United States will host the first ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom at the Department of State on July 25th and 26th of this year.

The United States looks forward to identifying concrete ways to push back against persecution⁷ and ensure greater respect for religious freedom for all.

“The United States will not stand by as spectators,” vowed⁸ Secretary Pompeo. “We will get in the ring and stand in solidarity⁹ with every individual who seeks to enjoy their most fundamental of human rights.”

1 testament   

n.遗嘱；证明

参考例句：

• This is his last will and testament.这是他的遗愿和遗嘱。
• It is a testament to the power of political mythology.这说明，编造政治神话可以产生多大的威力。

2 founders   

n.创始人( founder的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He was one of the founders of the university's medical faculty. 他是该大学医学院的创建人之一。 来自辞典例句
• The founders of our religion made this a cornerstone of morality. 我们宗教的创始人把这看作是道德的基石。 来自辞典例句

3 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

4 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

5 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

6 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

7 persecution   

n. 迫害,烦扰

参考例句：

• He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。
• Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他们的迫害只激起人民对他们的反抗。

8 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

9 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。