Secretary of State's Determination Under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016, 71064-71065 [2019-27787]

Download as PDF 71064 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2019 / Notices Administrator’s disaster declaration, applications for disaster loans may be filed at the address listed above or other locally announced locations. The following areas have been determined to be adversely affected by the disaster: Primary Counties: Decatur, Humphreys, McNairy, Montgomery. Contiguous Counties: Tennessee: Benton, Carroll, Cheatham, Chester, Dickson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Houston, Perry, Robertson, Stewart, Wayne. Kentucky: Christian, Todd. Mississippi: Alcorn. The Interest Rates are: Percent For Physical Damage: Homeowners with Credit Available Elsewhere ...................... Homeowners without Credit Available Elsewhere .............. Businesses with Credit Available Elsewhere ...................... Businesses without Credit Available Elsewhere .............. Non-Profit Organizations with Credit Available Elsewhere ... Non-Profit Organizations without Credit Available Elsewhere ..................................... For Economic Injury: Businesses & Small Agricultural Cooperatives without Credit Available Elsewhere .............. Non-Profit Organizations without Credit Available Elsewhere ..................................... 3.000 1.500 7.750 3.875 2.750 2.750 3.875 2.750 The number assigned to this disaster for physical damage is 16222 8 and for economic injury is 16223 0. The States which received an EIDL Declaration # are Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 59008) 20515). The focus of the meeting will be the presentation of the 2019 Comprehensive Annual Report on Public Diplomacy and International Broadcasting. The meeting will also feature a panel of experts on public diplomacy programs in the field. This meeting is open to the public, including the media and members and staff of governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Any requests for a reasonable accommodation should be sent by email to Kristy Zamary at ZamaryKK@ state.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2020. Attendees should plan to arrive for the meeting by 9:45 a.m. to allow for a prompt start. The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy appraises U.S. government activities intended to understand, inform, and influence foreign publics. The Advisory Commission may conduct studies, inquiries, and meetings, as it deems necessary. It may assemble and disseminate information and issue reports and other publications, subject to the approval of the Chairperson, in consultation with the Executive Director. The Advisory Commission may undertake foreign travel in pursuit of its studies and coordinate, sponsor, or oversee projects, studies, events, or other activities that it deems desirable and necessary in fulfilling its functions. For more information on the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, please visit https:// www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/undersecretary-for-public-diplomacy-andpublic-affairs/united-states-advisorycommission-on-public-diplomacy/. For more information on the upcoming public meeting, contact the Commission’s Executive Director, Vivian S. Walker, at WalkerVS@ state.gov or Senior Advisor, Shawn Baxter, at BaxterGS@state.gov. Vivian S. Walker, Executive Director, U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, Department of State. Christopher Pilkerton, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2019–27820 Filed 12–23–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8026–03–P [FR Doc. 2019–27758 Filed 12–23–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–45–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE DEPARTMENT OF STATE khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES [Public Notice: 10978] U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy; Notice of Meeting The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy will hold a public meeting from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., Thursday, January 23, 2020, at the U.S. Capital Visitor Center in Room SVC 203–02 (First St NE, Washington, DC VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:53 Dec 23, 2019 Jkt 250001 [Public Notice 10987] Secretary of State’s Determination Under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016 The Secretary of State’s designation of ‘‘countries of particular concern’’ and PO 00000 Frm 00137 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ‘‘special watch list’’ countries for religious freedom violations pursuant to Section 408(a) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105–292), as amended (the Act), notice is hereby given that, on December 18, 2019, the Secretary of State, under authority delegated by the President, has designated each of the following as a ‘‘country of particular concern’’ (CPC) under section 402(b) of the Act, for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom: Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The Secretary simultaneously designated the following Presidential Actions for these CPCs: For Burma, the existing ongoing restrictions referenced in 22 CFR 126.1, pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act; For China, the existing ongoing restriction on exports to China of crime control or detection instruments or equipment, under the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 (Pub. L. 101– 246), pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act; For Eritrea, the existing ongoing restrictions referenced in 22 CFR 126.1, pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act; For Iran, the existing ongoing travel restrictions in section 221(c) of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (TRA) for individuals identified under section 221(a)(1)(C) of the TRA in connection with the commission of serious human rights abuses, pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act; For the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the existing ongoing restrictions to which the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is subject, pursuant to sections 402 and 409 of the Trade Act of 1974 (the JacksonVanik Amendment), and pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act; For Pakistan, a waiver as required in the ‘‘important national interest of the United States,’’ pursuant to section 407 of the Act; For Saudi Arabia, a waiver as required in the ‘‘important national interest of the United States,’’ pursuant to section 407 of the Act; For Tajikistan, a waiver as required in the ‘‘important national interest of the United States,’’ pursuant to section 407 of the Act; and For Turkmenistan, a waiver as required in the ‘‘important national interest of the United States,’’ pursuant to section 407 of the Act. In addition, the Secretary of State has designated the following countries as ‘‘special watch list’’ countries for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom: Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Russia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan. The Secretary of State’s designation of ‘‘entities of particular concern’’ for religious freedom violations. Pursuant to Section 408(a) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (Pub. L. E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2019 / Notices 105–292), notice is hereby given that, on December 18, 2019, the Secretary of State, under authority delegated by the President, has designated each of the following as an ‘‘entity of particular concern’’ under section 301 of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016 (Pub. L. 114–281), for having engaged in particularly severe violations of religious freedom: al-Nusra Front, al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Qa’ida, al-Shabab, Boko Haram, the Houthis, ISIS, ISISKhorasan, and the Taliban. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Chyung, Office of International Religious Freedom, U.S. Department of State, (Phone: (202) 647–3865 or Email: ChyungHH@state.gov). Daniel L. Nadel, Director, Office of International Religious Freedom, Department of State. [FR Doc. 2019–27787 Filed 12–23–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–18–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD [Docket No. FD 36370] CCET, LLC d/b/a Cincinnati Eastern Railroad—Lease and Operation Exemption—Norfolk Southern Railway Company khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES CCET, LLC d/b/a Cincinnati Eastern Railroad (CCET), a Class III railroad, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to continue its lease of, and its provision of railroad common carrier service over, approximately 69.45 route miles of railroad owned by Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR), from milepost CT 9.0 at Clare, Ohio, at its west end, to milepost CT 78.45 at Mineral Springs, Ohio (the Line). CCET states that it and NSR are parties to an agreement under which CCET has acquired a leasehold interest in, and operates, the Line, segments of which were leased to CCET in sequence beginning in 2014.1 The verified notice indicates that recently, CCET and NSR agreed to amend the underlying lease agreement, including an extension of the term. According to CCET, the amended lease agreement between CCET and NSR does not contain any provision that 1 See CCET, LLC—Lease & Operation Exemption—Rail Line of Norfolk S. Ry. in Adams Cty., Ohio, FD 36079 (STB served Dec. 7, 2016); CCET, LLC—Lease & Operation Exemption—Rail Line of Norfolk S. Ry. in Clermont, Brown, & Adams Ctys., Ohio, FD 35900 (STB served Feb. 6, 2015); CCET, LLC—Lease & Operation Exemption—Rail Line of Norfolk S. Ry., FD 35810 (STB served Apr. 4, 2014). VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:53 Dec 23, 2019 Jkt 250001 prohibits, restricts, or otherwise limits, interchange of traffic with any thirdparty carrier. CCET certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of the proposed transaction will not exceed $5 million and that the transaction will not result in the creation of a Class II or Class I rail carrier. This transaction may be consummated on or after January 9, 2020, the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified notice was filed). If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than January 2, 2020 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective). All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36370, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board either via e-filing or in writing addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423–0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on CCET’s representative, Robert A. Wimbish, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606– 3208. According to CCET, this action is categorically excluded from environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic preservation reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b). Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov. Decided: December 18, 2019. By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of Proceedings. Jeffrey Herzig, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2019–27674 Filed 12–23–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD [Docket No. AB 434 (Sub-No. 4X)] Winchester & Western Railroad Company—Abandonment Exemption— in Cumberland County, N.J. Winchester & Western Railroad Co. (W&W) has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR part 1152 subpart F—Exempt Abandonments to abandon an approximately 0.5-mile line of railroad, from approximately milepost 16.2 to milepost 16.7, in the Township of Commercial, Cumberland PO 00000 Frm 00138 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 71065 County, N.J. (the Line). The Line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 08349. W&W has certified that: (1) No local common carrier freight traffic has moved over the Line for at least two years; (2) no overhead traffic has moved over the Line for at least two years and, therefore, there is no need to reroute any traffic; (3) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the Line (or by a state or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the Line either is pending with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) or any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of a complainant within the two-year period; and (4) the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication), 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies), and 49 CFR 1105.7 and 1105.8 (environmental and historic report), have been met. As a condition to this exemption, any employee adversely affected by the abandonment shall be protected under Oregon Short Line Railroad— Abandonment Portion Goshen Branch Between Firth & Ammon, in Bingham & Bonneville Counties, Idaho, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). To address whether this condition adequately protects affected employees, a petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) must be filed. Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) has been received,1 this exemption will be effective on January 25, 2020, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Petitions to stay that do not involve environmental issues must be filed by January 3, 2020.2 Formal expressions of intent to file an OFA under 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2) and trail use/rail banking requests under 49 CFR 1152.29 must be filed by January 6, 2020.3 Petitions to reopen or requests for public use conditions under 49 CFR 1152.28 must be filed by January 15, 1 Persons interested in submitting an OFA must first file a formal expression of intent to file an offer, indicating the type of financial assistance they wish to provide (i.e., subsidy or purchase) and demonstrating that they are preliminarily financially responsible. See 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2)(i). 2 The Board will grant a stay if an informed decision on environmental issues (whether raised by a party or by the Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) in its independent investigation) cannot be made before the exemption’s effective date. See Exemption of Out-of-Serv. Rail Lines, 5 I.C.C.2d 377 (1989). Any request for a stay should be filed as soon as possible so that the Board may take appropriate action before the exemption’s effective date. 3 Filing fees for OFAs and trail use requests can be found at 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25) and (27), respectively. E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 247 (Thursday, December 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71064-71065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27787]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 10987]


Secretary of State's Determination Under the International 
Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and Frank R. Wolf International Religious 
Freedom Act of 2016

    The Secretary of State's designation of ``countries of particular 
concern'' and ``special watch list'' countries for religious freedom 
violations pursuant to Section 408(a) of the International Religious 
Freedom Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-292), as amended (the Act), notice is 
hereby given that, on December 18, 2019, the Secretary of State, under 
authority delegated by the President, has designated each of the 
following as a ``country of particular concern'' (CPC) under section 
402(b) of the Act, for having engaged in or tolerated particularly 
severe violations of religious freedom: Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, 
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, 
Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The Secretary simultaneously designated 
the following Presidential Actions for these CPCs:

    For Burma, the existing ongoing restrictions referenced in 22 
CFR 126.1, pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act;
    For China, the existing ongoing restriction on exports to China 
of crime control or detection instruments or equipment, under the 
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 
(Pub. L. 101-246), pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act;
    For Eritrea, the existing ongoing restrictions referenced in 22 
CFR 126.1, pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act;
    For Iran, the existing ongoing travel restrictions in section 
221(c) of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 
2012 (TRA) for individuals identified under section 221(a)(1)(C) of 
the TRA in connection with the commission of serious human rights 
abuses, pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act;
    For the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the existing 
ongoing restrictions to which the Democratic People's Republic of 
Korea is subject, pursuant to sections 402 and 409 of the Trade Act 
of 1974 (the Jackson-Vanik Amendment), and pursuant to section 
402(c)(5) of the Act;
    For Pakistan, a waiver as required in the ``important national 
interest of the United States,'' pursuant to section 407 of the Act;
    For Saudi Arabia, a waiver as required in the ``important 
national interest of the United States,'' pursuant to section 407 of 
the Act;
    For Tajikistan, a waiver as required in the ``important national 
interest of the United States,'' pursuant to section 407 of the Act; 
and
    For Turkmenistan, a waiver as required in the ``important 
national interest of the United States,'' pursuant to section 407 of 
the Act.

    In addition, the Secretary of State has designated the following 
countries as ``special watch list'' countries for engaging in or 
tolerating severe violations of religious freedom: Comoros, Cuba, 
Nicaragua, Nigeria, Russia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan.
    The Secretary of State's designation of ``entities of particular 
concern'' for religious freedom violations. Pursuant to Section 408(a) 
of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (Pub. L.

[[Page 71065]]

105-292), notice is hereby given that, on December 18, 2019, the 
Secretary of State, under authority delegated by the President, has 
designated each of the following as an ``entity of particular concern'' 
under section 301 of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom 
Act of 2016 (Pub. L. 114-281), for having engaged in particularly 
severe violations of religious freedom: al-Nusra Front, al-Qa'ida in 
the Arabian Peninsula, al-Qa'ida, al-Shabab, Boko Haram, the Houthis, 
ISIS, ISIS-Khorasan, and the Taliban.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Chyung, Office of International 
Religious Freedom, U.S. Department of State, (Phone: (202) 647-3865 or 
Email: [email protected]).

Daniel L. Nadel,
Director, Office of International Religious Freedom, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2019-27787 Filed 12-23-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-18-P

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