Congressman: U.S. turning blind eye to persecution

WASHINGTON -- A leading congressional advocate for religious freedom says the Obama administration has failed to speak out against growing persecution abroad. In a House floor speech, Republican Congressman Frank Wolf of Virginia cited apparent U.S. indifference to violations of human rights in Sudan, China, North Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Egypt and Morocco.

He said Iraq's ancient Christian community faces extinction unless the government protects churches and prevents attacks that have driven hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians into exile. Wolf said the U.S. also should demand that Egypt protect its Coptic Christians from growing persecution, and that Morocco stop deporting American Christians for alleged proselytizing. He said oppressed believers need the Obama administration to "find its voice" for human rights