---
kind: "section"
citation: "22 U.S.C. § 6443"
title: "22"
title_heading: "Foreign Relations and Intercourse"
number: "6443"
heading: "Consultations"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/6443"
units:
  - "Chapter 73 — International Religious Freedom"
  - "Subchapter III — Presidential Actions"
  - "Part A — Targeted Responses to Violations of Religious Freedom Abroad"
---

# §6443. Consultations

- (a) **In general—** As soon as practicable after the President decides to take action under [section 6441 of this title](/usc/22/6441.md) in response to [violations of religious freedom](/usc/22/6402.md?p=16) and the President decides to take action under paragraphs (9) through (15) of [section 6445(a) of this title](/usc/22/6445.md?p=a) (or [commensurate action](/usc/22/6402.md?p=4) in substitution thereto) with respect to that country, or not later than 90 days after the President designates a country as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under [section 6442 of this title](/usc/22/6442.md), as the case may be, the President shall carry out the consultations required in this section.
- (b) **Duty to consult with foreign governments prior to taking Presidential actions—**
  - (1) **In general—** The President shall—
    - (A) request consultation with the [government](/usc/22/6402.md?p=8) of such country regarding the violations giving rise to designation of that country as a country of particular concern for religious freedom or to Presidential action under [section 6441 of this title](/usc/22/6441.md); and
    - (B) if agreed to, enter into such consultations, privately or publicly.
  - (2) **Use of multilateral fora—** If the President determines it to be appropriate, such consultations may be sought and may occur in a multilateral forum, but, in any event, the President shall consult with appropriate [foreign governments](/usc/22/6402.md?p=8) for the purposes of achieving a coordinated international policy on actions that may be taken with respect to a country described in [subsection (a)](#a), prior to implementing any such action.
  - (3) **Election of nondisclosure of negotiations to public—** If negotiations are undertaken or an [agreement](/usc/22/2431a.md?p=7) is concluded with a [foreign government](/usc/22/6402.md?p=8) regarding steps to cease the pattern of violations by that [government](/usc/22/6402.md?p=8), and if public disclosure of such negotiations or [agreement](/usc/22/2431a.md?p=7) would jeopardize the negotiations or the implementation of such [agreement](/usc/22/2431a.md?p=7), as the case may be, the President may refrain from disclosing such negotiations and such [agreement](/usc/22/2431a.md?p=7) to the public, except that the President shall inform the [appropriate congressional committees](/usc/22/6402.md?p=3) of the nature and extent of such negotiations and any [agreement](/usc/22/2431a.md?p=7) reached.
- (c) **Duty to consult with humanitarian organizations—** The President should consult with appropriate humanitarian and religious organizations concerning the potential impact of [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) policies to promote freedom of religion in countries described in [subsection (a)](#a).
- (d) **Duty to consult with United States interested parties—** The President shall, as appropriate, consult with [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) interested parties as to the potential impact of intended Presidential action or actions in countries described in [subsection (a)](#a) on economic or other interests of the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 105–292, title IV, § 403, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2804.)