What's New at USCIRF
9/16/16 | Press Releases
9/1/16 | Press Releases
8/31/16 | Press Releases
8/12/16 | Press Releases
8/4/16 | Press Releases
USCIRF 2016 Annual Report
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its 2016 Annual Report on May 2, 2016. In the report, USCIRF recommends that the State Department add these eight countries to its list of “countries of particular concern,” defined under law as countries where particularly severe violations of religious freedom are tolerated or perpetrated: Central African Republic, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, and Vietnam.
USCIRF also recommends that the following nine countries be re-designated as “countries of particular concern,” or CPCs: Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
In addition, USCIRF also recommends ten countries as Tier 2 Countries, those countries whose governments engages in or tolerates at least one of the elements of the "systematic, ongoing, and egregious" standard, but do not fully meet the CPC standard: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Russia, and Turkey. Other Countries Monitored include: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Horn of Africa, Kyrgyzstan, Western Europe.
Barriers to Protection
USCIRF on August 2, 2016 released a new report, Barriers to Protection: The Treatment of Asylum Seekers in Expedited Removal, which highlights serious problems with the U.S. government's treatment of asylum seekers in Expedited Removal. View the report here. USCIRF presented findings from the report at an August 3, 2016 event with Human Rights First. Watch the event here.
Europe at a Crossroad
USCIRF held an event on April 11, 2016 at the National Press Club entitled "Europe at a Crossroad: Civil Society Efforts to Combat Religious Hatred and Bigotry in Europe." The event featured a keynote address by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, a panel of European civil society leaders, and remarks by USCIRF Commissioners.
Teaching Intolerance in Pakistan
A new study of Pakistani public school textbooks found that these textbooks negatively portray religious minorities and teach bias, distrust, and inferiority. The study was sponsored by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and was conducted by the Pakistan-based NGO Peace and Education Foundation (PEF). See below USCIRF's launch event of the report.
CHINA: USCIRF Condemns the Government’s Ramadan Restrictions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Muslims around the world mark the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr celebrations, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the Chinese government’s restrictions on Uighur and other Muslims’ religious practices. These restrictions are particularly egregious during this month-long period of introspection, fasting, prayer, and devotion.
Rev. Thomas J. Reese, S.J., Elected as USCIRF Chair
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2016
(From left to right: Dr. John Ruskay, Kristina Arriaga, Dr. Daniel Mark, Rev. Thomas J. Reese, S.J., Dr. James J. Zogby, Ambassador Jackie Wolcott, and Sandra Jolley)
Testimony of former USCIRF Chairman Dr. Robert P. George and former USCIRF Vice Chair Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser on the Global Religious Freedom Crisis
Former USCIRF Chairman Dr. Robert P. George and former Vice Chair Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser testified on June 16, 2016 before the Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee at a hearing titled "The Global Religious Freedom Crisis and Its Challenge to U.S. Foreign Policy."
Read former Chairman George's full testimony before the Subcommittee.
Two USCIRF Commissioners Appointed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom welcomes the appointment of two Commissioners. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) on May 13, 2016 announced the reappointment of Daniel I. Mark and the appointment of Kristina Arriaga.
President Obama Appoints Rev. Thomas Reese, S.J. and Dr. John Ruskay to USCIRF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama on May 12, 2016 announced his intent to reappoint Rev. Thomas Reese, S.J. and appoint Dr. John Ruskay to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
Religion News Service -- Iran wants to eradicate Baha’is. We should demand their religious freedom
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
May 13, 2016 | Robert P. George and Katrina Lantos Swett
The following op/ed appeared in Religion News Service on May 13, 2016
USA Today -- Rampant religious persecution against atheists
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
May 4, 2016 | Robert P. George and Hannah Rosenthal
The following op/ed appeared in USA Today on May 3, 2016
Senator Reid Appoints Sandra Jolley to USCIRF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2016
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) on April 27, 2016 appointed Sandra Jolley to serve on the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
Berkley Cornerstone -- Religious Freedom Abroad: A Road Map of Deterioration
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
May 2, 2016 | Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in the Berkley Cornerstone on May 2, 2016
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About the Commission
Who We Are
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world, that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad.
What We're About
Inherent in religious freedom is the right to think as we please, believe or not believe as our conscience leads, and live out our beliefs openly, peacefully, and without fear.
We are about freedom…
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