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Finally, Mr. Seiple wrongly alleges that this Commission is interested only in punishing violators of religious freedom, a view with which he states he has "never been comfortable." The Commission's first responsibility is to act in accordance with the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. In its many reports since it began work in June 1999, the majority of recommendations have called for positive actions on the part of the U.S. Administration and Congress. The Commission has urged, inter alia, humanitarian and civil-society aid programs, local-language VOA broadcasts, U.S. support of mediation efforts, assisting other nations to develop rule-of-law and human rights programs, education aid, and exchange programs. We can only wish that the State Department, during Ambassador Seiple's term or afterwards, had implemented such measures. This is not the work of a body interested only in "cursing the darkness." Our overriding concern is to help the victims whose human rights continue to be severely violated.

Felice Gaer is Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

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November (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46