| | Dear Friends, 2023 was a productive year at IDC, and January 2024 has provided a glimpse into the coming year of advocacy and action. In response to Iran’s mounting rhetoric and belligerent action, IDC has focused its advocacy agenda on cutting off Iran’s ability to fund its proxy terror groups. This was a main focus area in 2023, and remains a top legislative priority for IDC in 2024. Here’s a brief snapshot of what IDC has achieved in 2023, and will tackle 2024: - As a result of IDC’s focused advocacy, on September 12, 2023, the Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports Act (also known as the Fight CRIME Act) was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill imposes sanctions on countries, individuals, and entities that attempt to acquire, transport, or deploy Iranian missiles (including technology, materials and equipment). The bill has now been referred to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and in 2024, IDC will continue to zealously advocate until it’s passed by the Senate and receives the President’s signature.
- IDC’s advocacy also resulted in the November 3, 2023 passage of the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act (also known as the SHIP Act) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation imposes sanctions on individuals who knowingly transport, process, refine, or otherwise profit from Iranian petroleum. The SHIP Act targets Iranian petrodollars, the lifeblood of Iran-backed terror. In 2024, IDC will fight to ensure the bill’s passage in the Senate.
- In 2024, IDC will also ardently advocate in support of the Maximum Pressure Act, which is the toughest Iran sanctions package ever proposed by Congress. The legislation would gut Iran’s ability to fund terrorism throughout the region, and sanction the Supreme Leader of Iran. The legislation would also require the U.S. President to enforce the sanctions on Iran, and restrict executive authority to provide money to Iran as part of a nuclear deal.
In addition to Iran-focused policy, IDC’s 2024 objectives and priorities also include: - Advocacy for Azerbaijan to be held accountable for the ethnic cleansing of Armenian Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh
- Pressure on the U.S. State Department to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for its violation of religious freedom against Christians, and for the appointment of a Special Envoy
- Advocacy for the protection and preservation of the ancient Christian communities and heritage of Egypt, Iraq and Syria
- Advocacy for the protection and preservation of Lebanon’s unique Christian mission
These critical initiatives are just a small snapshot of what IDC is working on, and will only be brought to the finish line with your partnership! As we embark on a new year, we ask that you continue to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who face ever-growing persecution and violence around the world. Also, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to IDC's efforts in advocating for persecuted Christian communities in the Middle East and around the world. Our work is dependent on your generosity! Best regards, |
|  | Richard Ghazal, Executive Director |
| | In Defense of Christians started 2024 by continuing our advocacy for persecuted Christians in Nigeria, joining civil society organizations and USCIRF Commissioners in a letter to Congress to take immediate action and pass H.Res.82. Our letter was submitted in the congressional record and followed by a separate congressional letter to Secretary Blinken, urging the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. Representatives Bill Huizenga (R-MI-04), John Rose (R-TN-06), Gary Palmer (R-AL-06), Michael Guest (R-MS-03) and Jim Baird (R-IN-04) also co-sponsored H.Res.82 following the congressional letter. Recent co-sponsorships achieved through our advocacy include Rep. John James co-sponsorship of H.Res.554, a resolution supporting Christians of Iraq and Rep. Juan Ciscomani's co-sponsorship of H.R.5686 to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its aggression. As Iran escalates its campaign of terrorism, IDC is supporting H.R.6114 - Maximum Pressure Act, introduced by Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN-03). This bill is a comprehensive update to the now weak U.S. sanctions on Iran and would substantially diminish Iran's ability to fund terrorism across the region. In addition to our advocacy for Christians in Nigeria, Armenia, and the Middle East, IDC participated in the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit Congressional Advocacy alongside partner organizations to raise attention to the immense violation of religious freedom around the world and advocate for the reauthorization of USCIRF. |
|  | Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04), Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY-at-large), Rep. John James (R-MI-10), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04), Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI-08), Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02), Rep. John Rose (R-TN-06) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) |
| | Religious Freedom Advocates Demand Answers on State Department’s Exclusion of Nigeria, India From Persecution List "A group of international religious freedom experts are calling for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to testify before a congressional hearing about the State Department’s decision to exclude Nigeria and India from a list of nations with severe violations of religious freedom.In a letter sent Wednesday, first obtained by The Daily Signal, more than 40 religious freedom experts and organizations pointed out that since 2009, more than 50,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria, and 18,000 churches and 2,500 Christian schools attacked. They also cited India, where they say that between 200 and 400 churches and 3,500 Christian homes have been attacked just since last May. “As human rights and international religious freedom leaders, we stand in support of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in their call for a congressional hearing into the State Department’s exclusion of Nigeria and India from the Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) list,” the letter states." |
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| | |  | Religious Persecution & Human Freedom, Mark Tooley
"It should be the priority of all Christian social witness to advocate the protection of religious freedom for all people everywhere regardless of faith. After all, if Christianity is true, and all persons are equally created by God with freedom to live without coercion, then we must honor each person’s liberty of conscience. The progress of Christianity and human freedom are inextricably interwoven. Christianity will always be despised by tyrannies. And Christianity, when faithful, will always be an advocate for the oppressed." |
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 | Religious Freedom Discussion with Ambassador Sam Brownback
Our Religious Freedom Discussion with Ambassador Sam Brownback was on January 17th. Former U.S. Senator and U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback discussed ongoing threats to religious freedom and how we might better advocate religious freedom for all both internationally and in America. |
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| In the Middle: A Podcast on Christianity in the Middle East Who are the Christians of the Middle East? What can be done to interrupt their tragic historical course? And how can their rich legacy be preserved, invigorated, and shared with the world? Join us as we tackle these tough questions and engage in candid, thought-provoking discussions with a roster full of interesting and engaging experts. |
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| | Capitol Hill Advocacy Day On Friday, September 29, In Defense of Christians (IDC) hosted Capitol Hill Advocacy Day. Throughout the day, scores of IDC’s volunteer-advocates from across the United States crisscrossed Capitol Hill, attending over two-dozen bipartisan meetings in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, advocating for targeted legislation to support and protect Christians of the Middle East. The day culminated with an afternoon press conference on Capitol Hill to address the media on international Christian persecution, with special spotlight on the genocide happening TODAY against Armenian Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh. IDC was pleased to be joined by partner organizations, including For the Martyrs, the Armenian National Committee of America, and the 120,000 Reasons Coalition in demanding that President Biden stop funding the genocidal Azeri military with U.S. tax dollars. Several Members of Congress were present at the press conference and took a bold stand in solidarity with IDC, including: Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46), Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4), and Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11). |
| | | | Congressional Advocacy Despite some chaotic moments in Washington, this year saw major developments in our mission to defend Christians from threats to their religious and cultural traditions. In Defense of Christians succeeded in achieving legislative wins for Christianity in the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Africa. -
From interference in Iraq’s domestic politics to continued support for terrorism, Iran remains the principal threat to Christianity in the Middle East. In Defense of Christians has consistently advocated for strengthening U.S. pressure on Iran to restrict their ability to finance their operations abroad. In 2023, IDC’s advocacy had several accomplishments in this pursuit including the passage of the Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports Act and the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act by the U.S. House of Representatives. These bills will enhance U.S. sanctions on Iran’s missile and petroleum industries respectively and we will continue to advocate for these policies with the Senate. -
After years of advocacy from IDC, this year the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution urging the European Union to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization. The European Union inaccurately differentiates between the political and military wings of Hezbollah as separate organizations without sanctions applied on any of Hezbollah’s political actors. For Western support for Lebanon to be effective, it is crucial that the U.S. and E.U. are completely aligned in containing Hezbollah’s illicit activities abroad. The passage of this resolution sends a powerful signal to Europe to correct these gaps and we are supporting additional legislative actions to unify American and European efforts to restrain Iran and its proxies. -
Addressing the devastating outcome of Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh remains a priority of In Defense of Christians. The U.S. Senate's unanimous passage of the Armenian Protection Act prohibits U.S. foreign assistance to Azerbaijan for two years and marks the first step inholding Azerbaijan accountable for its naked aggression and ethnic cleansing of Armenian Christians. IDC’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Day occurred in the immediate wake of Azerbaijan’s latest attack and we pivoted to support legislation responding to this tragedy. Our advocacy efforts resulted in co-sponsorships for this legislation and a successful public awareness campaign. In 2024, IDC will focus its advocacy efforts to fully adopt this policy and other legislative actions to support Armenia and hold Azerbaijan accountable. -
As the persecution of Nigerian Christians tragically persists, IDC continues to call attention to their suffering and for further U.S. engagement supporting international religious freedom. Our efforts on IDC’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Day gained several co-sponsorships for a resolution urging the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. IDC’s advocacy for this resolution has been moderately successful, including securing co-sponsorship of the relevant Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. John James, and we will continue to work for the resolution’s mark up in 2024. |
| | | Time to Rethink Turkey, the Sick Man of NATO, Richard Ghazal The Moral Clarity of Christian Hostages in their Homeland, Richard Ghazal Syriacs Signal Hope on this 108th Genocide Anniversary, Richard Ghazal American Engagement in the New Middle East, William Roberts It’s Not the Economy, Stupid: Azerbaijan and Armenia, William Roberts House Republicans Risk America’s Security for Performative Politics, William Roberts The Abraham Accords, Not Beijing Talks, Will Bring Peace to the Middle East, Max J. Prowant ISIS Just Got a New Boss. Does Anyone Care Anymore? Max J. Prowant |
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| | |  | IDC celebrated the 75th Anniversary of UDHR with an event featuring reflections and insights of the world's foremost experts on human rights and the Christian intellectual tradition, including: Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, Mrs. Nadine Maenza, Bishop John Bonnici, Dr. Habib Malik, and Richard Ghazal. |
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| | Our work is made possible by your support and generosity! Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to IDC's efforts in advocating for persecuted Christian communities in the Middle East and around the world. |
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