Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) delivered his opening statement at the joint hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Africa and Western Hemisphere Subcommittees on February 4, focusing on the state of international religious freedom. The hearing, titled “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World,” addressed growing concerns about religious persecution globally.
Smith began by commending Ambassador Sam Brownback and Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett for their leadership at the recent International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, which called for stronger global action to protect religious liberty.
“In the United States, religious freedom is often called America’s ‘first freedom,’ since it is listed first in our Bill of Rights,” Smith said. He quoted the U.S. Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” He emphasized that these protections stem from principles in the Declaration of Independence and asserted that “religious freedom is not an ‘American’ right alone, but one that belongs to every human being on earth.”
Smith highlighted data from Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List stating that over 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution worldwide. He also noted a rise in anti-Semitism in both Western democracies and other regions.
The statement pointed to authoritarian regimes such as China, Russia, Nicaragua, North Korea, Belarus, and Cuba as places where religious practice faces severe repression. In some countries governed by strict interpretations of Islamic law—including Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Syria—independent religious activity is heavily restricted.
Smith provided specific examples from China: “As we speak, Uyghur Muslims in China are suffering a genocide. Today, they are still brutally repressed: many are shipped off to labor camps while their mosques are destroyed and their children forced to speak Mandarin instead of Uyghur.” He recounted meeting Bishop Su Zhimin during a trip to China in 1994: “He was beaten, starved, and tortured for this faith and spent some 40 years in prison… Unfortunately, only a few years later, Bishop Su was arrested again and disappeared. He has not been heard from since.”
On North Korea, Smith cited reports indicating an estimated 30,000 Christians are imprisoned for their beliefs: “Escapees from the DPRK say unequivocally that religion is simply not tolerated… Even possessing a Bible can result in execution.”
He also discussed Nigeria’s situation regarding violence against Christians: “Genocide Watch has called Nigeria ‘a killing field of defenseless Christians.’” Smith welcomed President Trump’s previous designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), describing it as necessary but criticized President Biden’s removal of Nigeria from the list before its reinstatement.
Turning attention to Tanzania and other African nations, Smith detailed attacks on clergy members and restrictions on church activities following criticism of government actions. He referenced recent violent incidents targeting worshippers and hospital staff who resisted authorities’ orders during protests.
Smith acknowledged former Congressman Mark Walker’s new role as Principal Advisor on Global Religious Freedom at the State Department: “I wish him all the best as he speedily gets to work on confronting religious persecution… America’s leadership is absolutely essential.”
He concluded by stressing ongoing vigilance: “Countries whose governments engage in—or tolerate—severe, systemic, and egregious violations of international religious freedom against their own people merit extra scrutiny and diplomatic pressure from the United States.” Citing Vice President Vance’s remarks about distinguishing between regimes based on respect for religious liberty within U.S. foreign policy frameworks.
Chris Smith currently serves New Jersey’s 4th congressional district—a position he has held since 1981 after succeeding Frank Thompson—and resides in Manchester Township. Born in Rahway in 1953, Smith graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from The College of New Jersey in 1975.
Smith ended his remarks by thanking witnesses who appeared before Congress to discuss current violations affecting vulnerable groups worldwide.
