2/13/2009: USCIRF Urges Sec. Clinton to Raise Human Rights Issues in China
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2009
Contact: Robert Schwarzwalder,
Acting Director of Communications
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(202) 523-3240, ext. 127
WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) yesterday sent the following letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton concerning her upcoming trip to China, calling on her to take a strong public position against violations of the rights of thought, conscience and religion.
2/11/2009: Turkey: Respect Property Rights of Religious Minorities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2009
Contact: Rob Schwarzwalder
Acting Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240, ext. 127
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WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent, bipartisan Federal commission, today urged the U.S. government to raise the importance of respecting property rights of members of diverse religious minorities with the Turkish government, particularly with reference to the Mor Gabriel Monastery.
2/11/2009: Sudan: USCIRF Calls for Administration Action To Preserve Fragile North, South Peace
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2009
Contact: Rob Schwarzwalder
Acting Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240 ext. 127
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged the Obama Administration to ensure that the peace agreement that ended the civil war between North and South Sudan is sustained.
2/09/2009: SAVE THE DATE: Press Conference on Release of New USCIRF Recommendations for Peace in Sudan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2009
Contact: Rob Schwarzwalder
Acting Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240, ext. 127
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 10:30-11:30 AM
2247 Rayburn House Office Building
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) will hold a news conference this Wednesday to announce its recommendations designed to ensure that the fragile peace between the Khartoum government in the Northern and Southern regions is sustained and strengthened.
2/04/2009: USCIRF Expresses Concern Over Broad Prohibitions in Sri Lankan Draft Law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2009
Contact: Robert Schwarzwalder,
Acting Director of Communications
(202) 523-3240, ext. 127
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on the U.S. government to express concern to Sri Lankan governmental authorities regarding a draft law that poses a serious threat to religious freedom in that country. The measure, entitled "Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion," could, if adopted, penalize Sri Lankans for discussing their faith with others and enforce discriminatory bias against women, according to USCIRF Chair Felice D. Gaer.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is calling on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to instruct U.S. representatives to ask tough and incisive questions of key countries in the United Nations upcoming in-depth examination of 14 countries' human rights compliance known as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) being held February 2-13 in Geneva.
1/09/2009: USCIRF Disappointed that DHS Action on Expedited Removal Process Falls Short
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2009
Contact:
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(202) 523-3240, ext. 114
WASHINGTON -- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is seriously concerned that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has failed to properly implement many of the recommendations in the Commission's Congressionally-authorized Report on Asylum Seekers in Expedited Removal. Almost four years after the release of that report, the Commission received an official response from DHS to the Commission's findings and recommendations. However, in a letter to DHS released today, the Commission expressed disappointment that many of the actions taken by DHS fail to accurately follow the recommendations or adequately address the problems identified in the report.
12/16/2008: Iraq: USCIRF Recommends Designating Iraq as Country of Particular Concern, Calls for Ensuring Free and Fair Elections, Focusing on Plight of Most Vulnerable Religious Minorities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 16, 2008
Contact: Judith Ingram
Communications Director (202) 523-3240, ext. 127
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For the full text of the Commission's December 2008 report on Iraq, please click here .
WASHINGTON-The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recommends that Iraq be designated as a "country of particular concern" (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), in light of the ongoing, severe abuses of religious freedom and the Iraqi government's toleration of these abuses, particularly abuses against Iraq's smallest, most vulnerable religious minorities.[1]
12/12/2008: SAVE THE DATE: Press Conference on Release of USCIRF Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Iraq
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 12, 2008
Contact: Judith Ingram
Communications Director (202) 523-3240, ext. 127
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Although there has been some reduction in violence in Iraq since the Commission’s last report on the country in May 2007, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) remains seriously concerned about severe violations of religious freedom there. The situation is dire for Iraq’s smallest religious minorities, including ChaldoAssyrian Christians, other Christians, Sabean Mandaeans, and Yazidis, who face a threat to their very existence in the country. While there has been some reconciliation between Shi’a and Sunni Iraqis, there are still concerns regarding attacks and tense relations between these communities. There also continue to be serious, religiously-motivated human rights abuses against women and girls, Muslims who reject orthodox interpretations of Islam, homosexuals, and academics.
12/12/2008: Bangladesh: USCIRF Hearing Weighs Threat of Religious Extremism, Urges Greater Security for Minorities during Upcoming National Elections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 12, 2008
Contact: Judith Ingram
Communications Director
(202) 523-3240, ext. 127
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WASHINGTON—On December 4, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom held a public hearing on “Bangladesh: Religious Freedom, Extremism, Security, and the Upcoming National Elections.” As Commission Chair Felice Gaer noted, the hearing presented “a timely and important opportunity to focus on Bangladesh's efforts to hold an election that is free, fair, and peaceful, in spite of the threats of religious militancy, chronic political violence, and growing intolerance toward religious minorities and those within the majority community. Bangladesh represents a risk of conflict but also an opportunity to establish civilian, representative government on a firmer footing. Which it will be depends on how the government—and the political parties—manage the upcoming elections.”
12/09/2008: Iraq: Save the Date for Dec. 16 Press Conference on Release of USCIRF Policy Focus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 9, 2008
Contact: Judith Ingram
Communications Director (202) 523-3240, ext. 127
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Press Conference on Release of USCIRF Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Iraq
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Capitol Hill, room TBA
Although there has been some reduction in violence in Iraq since the Commission’s last report on the country in May 2007, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom remains seriously concerned about severe violations of religious freedom there. The situation is dire for Iraq’s smallest religious minorities, including ChaldoAssyrian Christians, other Christians, Sabean Mandaeans, and Yazidis, who face a threat to their very existence in the country. While there has been some reconciliation between Shi’a and Sunni Iraqis, there are still concerns regarding attacks and tense relations between these communities. There also continue to be serious, religiously-motivated human rights abuses against women and girls, Muslims who reject orthodox interpretations of Islam, homosexuals, and academics.
12/03/2008: Nigeria: USCIRF Deeply Concerned by Deaths and Ethnic Violence, Calls for Swift Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 3, 2008
Contact: Judith Ingram
Communications Director (202) 523-3240, ext. 127
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WASHINGTON—The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is deeply concerned by reports of the sectarian and ethnic violence in Jos, central Nigeria, that reportedly has resulted in the killing or wounding of several hundred people and the apparent displacement of more than 10,000 from their homes, according to initial news accounts. The Commission calls on the U.S. government to urge the Nigerian government to launch an immediate and independent investigation of the clashes that broke out between Muslims and Christians following local elections and to prosecute those found to be perpetrators.
