Press Releases
6/28/13: USCIRF Concerned about Russian Blasphemy Bill and the Status of Freedoms of Religion and Expression
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2012 | By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Russian State Duma on June 26 passed a controversial bill on "causing offense to the sentiments of religious believers." The bill now awaits only a presidential signature before becoming law, most likely on July 1. The bill... Read More
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June 3, 2013 | By USCIRF
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) deeply mourns the loss of Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), a longtime advocate of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion, who passed away this morning from viral... Read More
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May 21, 2013 | By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the State Department's release of its 2012 International Religious Freedom Report.
"USCIRF congratulates the State Department - particularly its Office... Read More
5/16/13: SYRIA: The Sectarian Divide
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May 16, 2013 | By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The two-year armed conflict in Syria has left at least 80,000 people dead and more than 5 million displaced. In his May 13, 2013 press conference with UK Prime Minister David Cameron, President Obama noted the difficulty of "putting... Read More
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April 30, 2013| By USCIRF
Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal advisory body created by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) to monitor religious freedom abuses abroad, today released its 2013... Read More
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April 22, 2013 | By USCIRF
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal agency created to monitor religious freedom abuses abroad and make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, today issued... Read More
4/19/13: Asylum Detention Needs Improvements
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April 19, 2013 | By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Congress considers legislation to reform the U.S. immigration system, a new U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report, Assessing the U.S. Government's Detention of Asylum Seekers: Further Action Needed... Read More
4/15/13: USCIRF Concerned by Nigeria's Religiously-Related Violence and Inadequate Government Response
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April 15, 2013| By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Ongoing attacks and retaliations by Muslims and Christians in Nigeria's violent, religiously and ethnically mixed Middle Belt has left more than 100 dead and dozens of properties destroyed since March of this year. This... Read More
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April 12, 2013 | By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC - President Barack Obama on April 11, 2013 announced his intent to appoint Eric P. Schwartz to serve on the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom.
"USCIRF welcomes Eric Schwartz,” said USCIRF Chair Dr. Katrina Lantos... Read More
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April 5, 2013| By USCIRF
WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed concern about the Egyptian government's continued application of blasphemy-like charges that are used to stifle dissent and limit the freedoms of... Read More