original_query: What is the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998?
query: What is the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998?
answer: The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) is a U.S. law promoting religious freedom as a foreign policy goal.  It established mechanisms to monitor religious persecution globally, including an Ambassador-at-Large, a Commission on International Religious Freedom, and a Special Advisor.  The Act allows for various actions, including negotiations and sanctions, against countries deemed to severely violate religious freedom.