Join In Defense of Christians for a press conference, in person and virtually, with the newly appointed IDC President, Tonia Khouri. The press conference will be Ms. Tonia Khouri’s first public appearance as IDC President.  Ms. Khouri will highlight IDC’s policy priorities as she leads the advocacy organization into 2022.  She will also comment on issues affecting Christians in Lebanon, to include the humanitarian crisis, the Hezbollah threat, and the upcoming Lebanese elections.

Please note that this event will be hosted at IDC Headquarters in Washington, DC and streamed on Zoom Webinar.

Location: 700 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Suite 2055 | Zoom Webinar

Date and Time: Friday, November 5, 2021 at 12:00 PM (ET)

To register to attend the press conference, please click here. Registrants will be provided with information for live attendance, and a link for virtual attendance.

At the 2021 International Religious Freedom Summit, IDC hosted a panel discussion with a number of our partners, including:

• Robert Nicholson of the Philos Project
• Samuel Tadros of the Hudson Institute
• Endy Zemenides of the Hellenic American Leaders Council
• Aram Hamparian of the Armenian National Committee of America

As voter support for the Erdogan government continues to erode in the run up to the 2023 parliamentary and presidential elections, there are hopes that this could end Turkey’s democratic backsliding and restore the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms. Many of the structural problems afflicting Turkey’s various Christian communities, however, predate Erdogan’s rise to power and cannot simply be resolved at the ballot box. Turkey requires a new policy vision to institutionalize equal citizenship, ethno-religious inclusion, and freedom of religion or belief for all. This panel will offer policy suggestions for reversing the worrying trends that have continued to bring Turkey’s various Christian communities to the brink of extinction. What steps can the United States, the European Union, international organizations, and advocacy groups take to end the systematic discrimination targeting Turkey’s Christian citizens
and residents.

Christianity in Syria dates back to the very beginning of the faith. Unfortunately, as we mark the 10 year anniversary of the Syrian Civil War, the Christian community, down 50% since 2011, is faced with an existential crisis.  Turkey and Turkish-backed jihadist militias threaten Christian communities, particularly in northern Syria.  The instability caused by Turkey also creates fertile ground for the resurgence of ISIS years following its genocide against Christians in Syria. Meanwhile, many Christian communities, particularly those in government-controlled territory, are also experiencing a humanitarian crisis.

IDC hosted the policy briefing on May 25th at 1:00 PM (ET).

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom will officially launch its 2021 report highlighting the world’s worst violators against the right of worship and belief on April 21 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time.

IDC hosted an on-the-record Q&A with reporters at 4:00pm. Speakers reviewed the report and shared their initial thoughts in brief opening statements.

Countries of Special Interest:

Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey

Turkey continues to persecute Christians within its borders, and across
international borders, while aggressively erasing the remaining traces of Anatolia’s Christian heritage. In 2020, Turkey converted multiple historic Christian holy sites into mosques. Turkey continues to occupy northern Cyprus, while supporting jihadist militias in northern Syria, who have committed ethnic cleansing against Christians, Kurds, and Yazidis. Turkey also exported these same militias to Azerbaijan to commit war crimes against an ancient Armenian Christian community dating back to the first century. As Turkey continues to violate human rights in the region, it also poses a national security threat to the U.S. and NATO. The U.S. must address these pressing concerns.

On the eve of Pope Francis’s historic visit to Iraq, IDC hosted a roundtable conversation on the importance of the trip.

Lebanon is on the verge of becoming a failed state and many are concerned it
could implode into a civil war. On top of a crisis in governance, it is facing a humanitarian crisis. How should the U.S. respond to threats that Iran and Hezbollah pose to Lebanon’s security? How should the U.S. respond to Turkey’s incursions into Lebanon? How should the U.S. pressure the Lebanese government to reform while also providing humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people? Our experts will address these questions as they call for the Biden Administration and Congress to clarify U.S. key objectives in Lebanon.