Commentary by Howard Gleckman

SANCTIONS WON'T STOP RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. TRADE WILL

Funny how things change. Nearly two decades ago, conservatives ridiculed President Jimmy Carter for linking human rights and foreign policy. Today, many of the same folks are leading an effort to use U.S. diplomatic and economic clout against nations that engage in religious persecution.

What's changed? Mostly a shift in the perceived victims. Back in the late 70s, Carter focused heavily on persecution of internal political opponents by right-wing regimes in Latin America and other places. Now, the religious right is more concerned about persecution of Christians in countries such as Sudan and China. New-style human rights violations, it seems, are hitting a lot closer to home.

And that's a big problem with a bill floating around Capitol Hill that's being put together by the Christian Coalition and has won the backing of House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.). While the sponsors say the measure would take on religious persecution everywhere, their proposal suggests otherwise.

For instance, the bill focuses nearly all of its attention on the persecution of Christians in Communist and Islamic countries. It zeros in especially on the plight of Christians in Sudan, on which it would impose special sanctions. But it says nothing about the persecution of Muslims in Bosnia, Islamic fundamentalists in Syria, or Scientologists in Germany.

Further, it suggests that religious persecution is somehow a greater evil than other forms of human rights violations. Were Pol Pot's crimes in Cambodia somehow more acceptable because religion didn't figure into them?

This is very slippery slope indeed. Does the U.S. really want to police the morays of countries around the world? Should it pick and choose among the various forms of persecution, singling out which should be punished and which should not?

In a sense, this is a replay of the argument over most-favored-nation trade status for China. Yes, China's human rights record is abysmal. But using economic sanctions to further isolate the Middle Kingdom won't make matters any better.

The Freedom from Religious Persecution Act would create a new White House bureaucracy, require an annual report, and impose sanctions on offender nations. But that isn't going to improve the lot of Sudanese Christians.

The best way to foster democracy and tolerance isn't by sanctions. Instead, we should focus on bringing nations into the world commercial system. Do business with them, open them to the world, welcome their refugees, and let them know that certain behavior is not acceptable.

Pandering to a bloc of voters in this country by punishing selected human rights violations is not the answer. Such a policy will take the U.S. down a very dangerous road.

Gleckman is a senior correspondent in the Washington bureau of Business Week. His commentaries appear regularly in Business Week Online.