Commissioner Shea to Speak Before Helsinki Commission on Central Asia

Mar 6, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2002

Contact:
Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent government agency advising the Administration and Congress, will participate in a briefing by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) on "U.S. Policy in Central Asia and Human Rights Concerns." On behalf of the Commission, Commissioner Nina Shea will address religious-freedom violations and U.S. policy in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on the eve of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov's visit to Washington, D.C.

Background

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has issued a number of recommendations with regard to the United States' relationship with Uzbekistan. The campaign against terrorism affords the United States a unique opportunity to encourage much-needed improvement by Uzbekistan's government in its abysmal treatment of religious exercise. In so doing the United States demonstrates its commitment to its principles and values, including the very rights and freedoms the terrorists would destroy. (The recommendations are available on the Commission's Web site.)

In view of the ongoing, egregious, and systematic violations of religious freedom in Turkmenistan, in 2000 and 2001 the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom called on the State Department to designate Turkmenistan a "country of particular concern," or CPC, pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA). However, the State Department so far has not made such a designation.

What:Helsinki Commission Briefing - U.S. Policy in Central Asia and Human Rights Concerns

When:Thursday, March 7, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Where: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2325

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.

Michael K. Young,Chair
  • Felice D. GaerFiruz KazemzadehRichard D. LandBishop William Francis MurphyLeila Nadya SadatNina SheaThe Hon. Charles R. StithThe Hon. Shirin Tahir-KheliSteven T. McFarland,Executive Director