December 6, 2011

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom regrets to have to bring to your attention the attached resolution, which we understand to reflect our legal obligations to prepare to cease all operations unless reauthorized by December 16, 2011.

It remains our most fervent hope that the Commission will be reauthorized, so that it can continue its vital work in advising the President, the Congress, and the Secretary of State.

The Commission expresses its sincere appreciation to all those who have supported, and remain supportive of, the continuation and reauthorization of the Commission’s mandate and work.

Leonard A. Leo, Chair
Dr. Don Argue, Vice Chair
Dr. Elizabeth H. Prodromou, Vice Chair
Dr. Azizah al Hibri, Commissioner
Felice D. Gaer, Commissioner
Dr. Richard D. Land, Commissioner
Rev. William Shaw, Commissioner
Nina Shea, Commissioner
Ted Van Der Meid, Commissioner

November 16, 2011 | by USCIRF

Washington, D.C. - The self-immolations of Tibetan monks and nuns are the direct result of China’s harsh suppression of Tibetan culture and religion, said the US Commission on International Religious Freedom yesterday. The U.S. bipartisan federal agency urged the Obama administration to further challenge China to review counterproductive policies toward Tibetan Buddhism and to embrace concrete negotiations with appointed representatives of the Dalai Lama.  The Administration previously had raised Tibetan issues with China at last week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Hawaii. 

The following letter was sent to the President | by USCIRF
November 14, 2011

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

On behalf of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), allow me to wish you a safe and productive visit to Indonesia for the East Asia Summit. We recognize that Indonesia is a priority for your Administration’s engagement with both Asia and the Muslim-majority world.

November 11, 2011 | by USCIRF

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns yesterday’s aerial bombing of the Yida refugee camp in the Unity state of the Republic of South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, reportedly by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of the Republic of Sudan.  Located approximately 10 miles south of the border with Sudan, the camp holds more than 20,000 refugees who had fled the SAF’s attacks in Southern Kordofan state in the Nuba Mountains region. 

November 9, 2011 | by USCIRF

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A new study sponsored by the U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and conducted by the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD) found that Pakistan’s public schools and madrassas negatively portray the country’s religious minorities and reinforce biases which fuel acts of discrimination, and possibly violence, against these communities.

“This study – the first-ever study of its kind -- documents how Pakistan’s public schools and privately-run madrassas are not teaching tolerance but are exacerbating religious differences,” said Leonard Leo, USCIRF chair. “Education reform incorporating religious tolerance is critical to the development of a society that values human rights, including religious freedom, for all its citizens. Teaching discrimination increases the likelihood that violent religious extremism in Pakistan will continue to grow, weakening religious freedom, national and regional stability, and global security.”

WHO: U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD) – Leonard Leo, USCIRF Chair, Knox Thames, USCIRF Policy Director and Azhar Hussain, ICRD.

WHAT: The release of a first-of-its-kind study of public and private Pakistani school textbooks that reveals Pakistani children are being taught intolerance toward non-Muslim religious minorities. (Embargoed copies available to working media.)

WHEN: Wednesday November 9 at 9:30 am.

WHERE: 800 North Capitol Street NW Suite 790, Washington, D.C. 20002

R.S.V.P: Tom Carter, USCIRF Communications Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please allow 10-15 minutes extra time to go through security.

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF’s principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.

To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or (202) 523-3257. 

 October 11, 2011 | by USCIRF

WASHINGTON, DC – In response to deadly violence in Egypt on Sunday, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls for a thorough, impartial, and independent investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice in civilian courts and that Egyptian military forces are held accountable for reportedly using excessive force.  USCIRF also calls for a portion of U.S. aid to be allocated to the Egyptian government to provide heightened security for religious minority communities.

October 6, 2011 | by USCIRF

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemned the continued imprisonment of dissident Iranian Shi’a cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Kazemeni Boroujerdi, who, almost five years to the day of his arrest, reportedly suffered a heart attack a few days ago. 
 

September 28, 2011 | by USCIRF

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed deep concern about the fate of Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who this week has appeared daily before an Iranian court demanding that he recant his faith or face execution for apostasy.  USCIRF also is concerned about deteriorating conditions for all religious minorities in Iran.

After being arrested in October 2009 and receiving an informal, oral death sentence for apostasy soon after, Mr. Nadarkhani eventually was tried and the sentenced in September 2010 and, in November 2010, received a written verdict with a sentence of execution by hanging.  After an appeal, in June 2011, the Iranian Supreme Court upheld the verdict but sought an investigation to determine whether or not as an adult Mr. Nadarkhani had converted to Christianity from Islam.  Despite finding that he had not converted as an adult, an Iranian court this week demanded that Mr. Nadarkhani recant his Christian faith because of his Muslim ancestry.  While his immediate fate is uncertain, a previous official fatwa issued in Iran gives a defendant three days to recant his or her faith after which a sentence can be implemented any time thereafter. His fourth and final appearance is scheduled for today, Wednesday.  

September 13, 2011 | By USCIRF

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the designation of “countries of particular concern” (CPCs) by the Obama administration and its release of the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom. USCIRF urges increased U.S. government action to promote freedom of religion or belief.

August 5, 2011| by USCIRF

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges an end to all violence and restrictions on peaceful religious activity in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China.    

Recent violence in the cities of Hotan and Kashgar has led reportedly to the death of dozens of Uighur Muslim and Han Chinese, the most since June 2009 ethnic clashes in the XUAR. Beijing’s official media described the violence as acts of terrorists fueled by “religious extremism,” points disputed by Uighur groups outside of China. Chinese officials in the XUAR announced yesterday new “high pressure” security measures and stated their intent to show “no mercy” toward anyone pursuing separatism or violence.