Washington D.C., Dec 15, 2011 / 01:04 am
Several dozen members of Congress sent letters to President Barack Obama urging him to raise the issue of religious freedom in Iraq during his Dec. 12 meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
A White House spokesperson told CNA on Dec. 14 that the president has not yet received the letters and declined to comment on whether the religious freedom was discussed in the meetings between Obama and al-Maliki.
Leonard Leo, chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, warned that the Iraqi government “does not provide effective protection” against the violent attacks and intimidation directed towards religious minorities in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the commission, Leo voiced concerns over religious freedom in Iraq in a Dec. 7 letter to President Obama, arguing that if Iraq is to become “a secure and stable democracy,” it must ensure that the human rights of all Iraqis are respected.