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Dear Mr. President:

In a July 2018 interview with Tucker Carlson, you rightly warned the world that the Government of Montenegro, through a reckless and irresponsible act, had the ability to provoke a conflict that could have implications on NATO.  Those who criticized, dismissed and ridiculed your comments at that time are now silent as Montenegro’s government has passed a “law on religious freedom” which confiscates all church and religious property built prior to 1918, and imposes severe restrictions on religious communities’ inalienable rights to own property and worship.

This controversial new law, which has been opposed by religious leaders from around the world, was passed in the heart of this Christmas Season after the Montenegrin Government refused to allow time for dialogue with the country’s largest Christian community—the Eastern Orthodox Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral—and after most of the opposition members of parliament were arrested.  Citizens opposed to the law confiscating their religious property have taken to the streets in massive numbers despite police repression and beatings, which have targeted both believers and members of the clergy.

Mr. President, the International Religious Freedom Act, 22 U.S.C. §§ 6441-61, gives you the authority to impose sanctions on violators of religious freedom around the world.  We ask you to stand up for the Orthodox Christians in Montenegro by imposing sanctions on President Milo Djukanovic and Prime Minister Dusko Markovic unless they take immediate steps to repeal the controversial law.