Groups Press for Religious Freedom Envoy

March 31, 2010

Author: Daniel Burke

Source: Beliefnet/Religion News Service

http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2010/03/groups-press-for-religious-fre.php

In an open letter sent to President Obama on Tuesday (March 30), 29 human rights groups and faith leaders pressed the president to fill the vacant position of ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

"The absence of senior level leadership in your administration on this critical issue is of grave and urgent concern," said the letter, which was signed by leaders representing Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, and Mormon groups.

The letter was also signed by a number of human rights groups, the former director of the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom, and a former ambassador for international religious freedom.