On October 21, 2024, Dr. William Saunders, Director of the Center for Human Rights at The Catholic University of America, delivered remarks at the Organization of American States (OAS) during an event titled Celebrating International Religious Freedom Day: Dialogue on Freedom of Religion at the OAS, organized by the Holy See Mission.
Dr. Saunders spoke passionately on the foundational role of religious liberty in the broader framework of human rights, emphasizing that the freedom to seek and worship God according to one’s conscience is not only a moral imperative but a cornerstone of just governance. Drawing on his extensive background in law and ethics, he underscored the dangers posed by regimes and ideologies that suppress religious belief, warning that threats to religious liberty are often early indicators of broader human rights violations.
His remarks served as both a legal analysis and a moral appeal, encouraging international dialogue and cooperation in defending the right to religious freedom around the world.