FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                

 

April 25, 2008                                                                                           

 

Contact:  Judith Ingram,

Communications Director,

(202) 523-3240, ext. 127

 

-EVENT ADVISORY-

 

Friday, May 2, 2008, 9:30-11 a.m.

First Amendment Lounge, National Press Club

 

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) will announce its 2008 recommendations to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for "countries of particular concern" at a press conference beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 2, in the First Amendment Lounge of the National Press Club.   

 

The Commission will also release its 2008 Annual Report and discuss its findings and recommendations for the President, Secretary of State, and Congress regarding U.S. foreign policy and the promotion of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief, and related human rights. 

 

The press conference is open to all members of the media, the non-governmental, faith-based, academic and policy communities.  Please see below for RSVP information.   

 

The Commission is mandated by Congress to make recommendations to the Secretary of State on countries whose governments have engaged in or tolerated systematic and egregious violations of the universal right to freedom of religion or belief.  Under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), those countries may be designated by the Secretary of State as "countries of particular concern," or CPCs.  IRFA also requires that the U.S. government follow CPC designation with policy action.

 

In addition to announcing CPCs, the Commission will announce its Watch List of countries that require close monitoring due to the nature and extent of violations of religious freedom engaged in or tolerated by their governments. 

 

What:  USCIRF Recommendations for Countries of Particular Concern Designation and 2008 Annual Report press conference

When:  Friday, May 2, 2008, 9:30-11 a.m.

Where:  National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW (14th and F streets), Washington, DC 20045

RSVP: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (202) 523-3240 x 114