Whereas freedom of religion is a fundamental right; Whereas the First Amendment of the Constitution stipulates that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ; Whereas, in pushing for religious freedom in the Commonwealth of Virginia, James Madison argued that the right to freedom of religion is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society ; Whereas freedom of religion is a foundational element of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in the United States and abroad, as well as a guiding principle for United States foreign policy; Whereas Article 18 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance ; Whereas the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (referred to in this preamble as USCIRF ) stipulates that freedom of religion or belief is an expansive right that includes the freedoms of thought, conscience, expression, association, and assembly ; Whereas the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 ( 22 U.S.C. 6401 et seq. ) recognizes religious freedom as a universal human right ; Whereas the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 ( 22 U.S.C. 6401 et seq. ) requires the President to annually designate as a country of particular concern each country the government of which has engaged in or tolerated particularly severe religious freedom violations, including— (1) systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations such as torture; (2) cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; (3) prolonged detention without charges; and (4) forced disappearances