Senate committee approves concurrent resolution urging vigilance on international religious freedom

The Indiana Senate Public Policy Committee on an undisclosed date voted 9-0 to approve Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, which urges U.S. officials to monitor and report religious freedom abuses abroad under the International Religious Freedom Act (IFRA).

The resolution, sponsored in committee by Senator Eric J. Holdman, asks the state to transmit copies to Indiana’s congressional delegation and to encourage continued attention from the U.S. Department of State to countries identified as “countries of particular concern” and on special watch lists. Senator Holdman described the measure as noncontroversial and noted it has passed in prior years.

Carol Auslander of Torchbear Public Affairs, representing the Jewish Community Relations Council, testified in support. “We would like to thank Senator Holdman for his authorship of Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 and for calling attention to the important issues of religious freedom and the plight of multiple religious communities facing discrimination around the world,” Auslander said. She cited rising antisemitism in parts of Europe and pointed to persecution of Uyghurs in China and Rohingya in Burma as examples named in the resolution.

The measure does not create new state policy or funding. It is a formal expression of concern asking federal actors to monitor and act where appropriate under existing federal law. The resolution references the International Religious Freedom Act and the annual reports produced under that statute as the source of country assessments.

The committee recorded the roll-call vote after a brief question period; Senator Becker was listed as excused. The resolution passed 9-0.

The committee moved on to other bills after the vote; no further state-level actions were taken on SCR 8 during the meeting.