David saperstein is the state departments ambassador at large for International Religious freedom. He spoke at an event hosted by Georgetown Universitys religious freedom project here in weeksy where he highlighted the efforts of his department in providing aid and support to displaced communities escaping the threat of isis. Ladies and gentlemen, im honored to introduce to you the man who heads the american effort to advance International Religious freedom. Ambassador at large David Saperstein. Ambassador saperstein is the fourth person to hold this vitally important position which was created by the International Religious freedom act of 1998 or as we refer to it as the erfa. The erfa requires the government of the United States to advance religious freedom in its foreign policy. The ambassador and his office at the state department are the executive agents of that policy as we say stops with them. The ambassador for religious freedom is confirmed by the senate. He is the official ch
Man who heads the effort to advance international freedom, ambassador at large David Saperstein. Am bas tore saperstein is the fourth person to hold this vitally important position which was created by the International Religious freedom act of 1998 or has we refer to it, the irfa. The irfa requires the government of the United States to advance religious freedom in its foreign policy. The ambassador and his office at the state department are the executive agents of that policy. The buck as we say stops with them. The ambassador for religious freedom is confirmed by the senate. She the official charged with carrying out u. S. Policy, the one who travels the world representing the United Statess government and its people to defend those persecuted for their religious beliefs. And to advance the institutions and habits of religious freedom. Ambassador saperstein was confirmed by the senate in december 2014 and assumed his duties on january 6, 2015. Prior to becoming ambassador at large h
The peaceful giants caught in the crossfire of the conflicts in west africa. Were going to bring you breaking news concerning syria. Our diplomatic editor james bays has just left the meeting in geneva. James, what else do we know . This was a briefing on the humanitarian task force which is part of all the process here in geneva, the idea at a meeting of International Leaders in mine nick was to take out of the main negotiation process this desperate need of people in besieged areas to get help to them. One of those besieged areas is an area that is besieged by isil. Theres no way to get convoys in there, isil will not allow the convoys in there. A short time ago, we were hearing from the humanitarian advisor to staffan de mistura, the special envoy. He explained more about trying to air drop aid to isil. He said their tests hadnt worked and he ordered new parachutes. He then explained that they had to do these High Altitude air drops because the danger the air drops faced and he rais
To throw them somewhere out at the syrian peace talks, attention is focused on the fate of tens of thousands of opposition members in government jails. Anger in brazil. Growing calls for president Dilma Rousseff to resign amift a scandal. Corruption claims. South africas president is shouted down in parliament while answering questions about whether some wealthy friends had a hand in his political decisions good evening. This is al jazeera Americas International news hour. We begin tonight with the fight against i. S. I. L. Facing pressure from congress the state department now says i. S. I. L. Is committing acts of genocide against religious groups in iraq and syria. John kerry says i. S. I. L. Has targeted christians and others. Today activists and western leaders called for president Bashar Alassad to face war crimes charges as part of the Peace Process and negotiators in gen eeve gen eve are geneva are focusing on others. Reporter several independent groups, including the halocaust
Basket, many which congress will have to approve, well be discussing that with them and hearing their ideas and trying to come up with the best possible ideas for the country going forward, the, i depend on the joint chiefs of staff and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff to do that integrating. I do that every day. I depend on them. I would like to strengthen their role in doing that. I dont want to do that in any way that subtracts from their ability to give independent military advice, which i dont favor putting the chairman in the chain of command per se. The chairman gives, i just watched this every day, gives me and the president of the United States a very valuable, independent, professional military advice. That is really key that that be independent. But we can have both of those things at the same time. So i expect that to be something where i will be making proposals and also in areas of acquisition and structure. Getting rid of some of our excess headquarters. I talke