Countering Russia’s War on Faith

Summary#

This bill, the "Countering Russia's War on Faith Act," requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, working with the Director of National Intelligence, to prepare a report about actions by Russian authorities that persecute or restrict religious groups in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. The report must be delivered to key congressional committees within 120 days of the law and then once a year for three years. The report must list damaged, seized, or repurposed churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious sites; describe restrictions and abuses against Christians, Jews, Muslims (including Crimean Tatars), and other religious minorities not aligned with the Moscow Patriarchate; estimate numbers affected; and name individuals and entities responsible. Within 30 days after each report, the President must certify whether there are reasonable grounds to believe listed foreign persons engaged in the described conduct. If the President certifies, the President must impose applicable sanctions under specified U.S. regulations (including parts 583, 589, and 587 of 31 C.F.R.). The President may later waive or end sanctions if a later report shows the person no longer meets the criteria. Reports must be unclassified but may include a classified annex. Appropriate congressional committees for receipt of the report are named in the bill.

What it means for you#

  • The U.S. executive branch would be required to gather and publish information about religious persecution in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.
  • The report could identify specific people and organizations tied to those abuses.
  • If the President certifies those people, the bill requires use of existing sanctions authorities to block property or take other actions against them.
  • The law sets time frames (120 days for the first report, then annually for three years) and defines which congressional committees receive the reports.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill's findings say Russian occupation authorities have restricted and harmed religious freedom in occupied Ukrainian territories. The text states more than 600 religious sites have been damaged or destroyed and that Russia has killed more than 50 religious leaders. It describes seizures of religious buildings, forced re-registration, detention, torture, disappearances, and efforts to promote the dominance of the Russian Orthodox Church. Supporters in the bill argue these documented actions justify formal U.S. reporting, identification of responsible persons and entities, and imposition of sanctions using existing U.S. sanctions authorities.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.