FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 8, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed concern today over the continued persecution of Uighur Muslims and the Chinese government's violent response to the Uighur protest in Urumqi in the Xinjiang autonomous region Sunday, that left more than 150 dead and thousands injured.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 30, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Leonard A. Leo, executive vice president of the Federalist Society, was elected chairman of the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), where he currently serves as a commissioner. He will take over the year-long post from Felice Gaer on July 1.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2009
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Newly proposed legal changes in Azerbaijan would curtail the religious freedom of the country's Muslim community, said the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today. Recent restrictive amendments to Azerbaijan's religion law went into effect on May 31 (see Commission press release issued on May 19, 2009, “Pending Amendments in Azerbaijan Concern USCIRF.”)  On June 30, Azerbaijan's parliament will consider two additional amendments to the same religion law. These proposals would restrict the conduct of Islamic rituals to Azerbaijani citizens who received Islamic education in Azerbaijan. They also would require that those who lead such rituals receive prior government approval.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2009
 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned Saturday’s arrest of Le Cong Dinh, a prominent lawyer who defended clients in high profile human rights cases, including prominent religious freedom defenders Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 18, 2009    

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has extended the application deadline to Monday, July 13, 2009 for the Joseph R. Crapa Fellowship Program.  The original deadline was June 15, 2009.  Please note that there is additional information below about the terms of the Crapa Fellowship Program.

Press Release
 

Statement from Secretary Clinton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned that Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliev will sign into law a series of restrictive amendments negatively affecting religious freedom.  Amendments to the religion law, as well as the criminal and administrative offenses codes, were passed by Azerbaijan’s parliament in speed and secrecy on May 8.  Reportedly, they contain numerous provisions that may violate Azerbaijan’s international legal commitments on freedom of religion or belief.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 11, 2009 

 

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is proud to announce the establishment of the Joseph R. Crapa Fellowship Program in memory of Joe Crapa, who served as Executive Director of USCIRF from 2002-2007. Applications are due by June 15, 2009.