Oct 1, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Releases New Report about Religious Tensions and Fulani Communities in West and Central Africa
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious tensions and Fulani communities in west and central Africa:
West and Central Africa Factsheet – This factsheet explores the role that religion plays in escalating violence committed by and against Fulani communities in west and central Africa. Predominantly Muslim and historically associated with cattle herding and livestock rearing, Fulani communities – one of the largest ethnic groups in the world – stretch across the African continent from Senegal to Sudan and have been both the victims and perpetrators of violence against civilians in many countries in recent years. Although the extent to which religious ideology contributes to driving this violence remains a subject of debate, the trend of increasing violence by and against Fulani groups is clearly aggravating religious tensions in countries such as Nigeria and the Central African Republic.
In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S State Department designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its ongoing, systematic, and egregious religious freedom violations. USCIRF also recommended that the State Department place the Central African Republic on its Special Watch List (SWL).
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].
Jun 7, 2024
USCIRF Troubled by Violence Against Christians in Pakistan
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the recent vigilante violence against 74-year-old Lazar (Nazir) Masih in Pakistan. On May 25, 2024 a mob of hundreds of individuals assembled in the predominantly Christian community of Sargodha and violently attacked Masih after he was accused of desecrating a Qur’an. The mob’s attack resulted in severe injuries, including multiple fractures to Masih’s skull. He was taken to the hospital where he passed away a few days later.
“The brutal killing of Lazar Masih is an alarming reminder of the dangers of merely being suspected or accused of blasphemy in Pakistan,” said USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “The country’s draconian blasphemy law signals to society that alleged blasphemers deserve severe punishment, which emboldens private individuals and groups to take matters into their own hands. Pakistani authorities must hold those responsible for his death accountable.”
This latest wave of mob violence comes nearly one year after the Jaranwala attacks, where thousands of individuals attacked Christian homes and burned 24 churches following false accusations of blasphemy, prompting several Christian families to flee their homes. In addition to inciting violence towards religious minorities, blasphemy accusations often lead to lengthy prison sentences on death row or solitary confinement.
In January 2023, Pakistan’s National Assembly unanimously passed an amendment to the country’s blasphemy law, expanding punishable offenses and offering harsher punishments for blasphemy. In August 2023, the Senate passed the bill. The bill still requires the president’s signature before becoming law.
“There has been an increase in blasphemy cases in Pakistan and USCIRF is deeply concerned that the pending amendment to the country’s blasphemy law may exacerbate current trends,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Eric Ueland. “We urge the U.S. government to quickly and strongly raise these concerns with Pakistani officials, including taking substantial steps in support of religious freedom by repealing its blasphemy and anti-Ahmadiyya laws.”
In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. Department of State again designate Pakistan as a Country of Particular Concern for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. In December 2023, USCIRF also published an issue update on Pakistan’s blasphemy law.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].
Jun 3, 2024
Stephen Schneck Elected as Chair of Bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Eric Ueland as Vice Chair
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today unanimously elected Stephen Schneck as its Chair for 2024-2025. USCIRF Commissioners also unanimously elected Eric Ueland as its Vice Chair.
“I am honored to serve as Chair of the Commission. I will dedicate the next year to leading this team with Vice Chair Ueland to further promote freedom of religion or belief abroad. Vice Chair Ueland has a breadth of experience in the Legislative and Executive branches and is an invaluable member of USCIRF. International religious freedom is not a Republican or Democratic issue, but rather a bipartisan concern where we must all work together,” said USCIRF Chair Schneck. “I want to also thank our previous Chair Abraham Cooper, Vice Chair Frederick A. Davie, and Commissioners David Curry, Mohamed Magid, Nury Turkel, and Frank Wolf, who completed their terms last month. It was a privilege to serve on the Commission with them. I am especially fortunate to have worked alongside Frank Wolf, one of the authors of the International Religious Freedom Act, or IRFA, the law that created USCIRF. Frank Wolf is an inspiration and a role model for standing up against religious persecution around the world.”
Chair Schneck was reappointed to the Commission by President Joseph R. Biden, for a second term, until May 2026. During his time at USCIRF, Chair Schneck has led many meetings hearings, and delegations, including visits to Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. A well-known advocate for Catholic social justice teachings in public life, he currently serves on the governing boards of both Catholic Climate Covenant and Catholic Mobilizing Network. He previously served the administration of President Barack Obama as a member of the White House Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Chair Schneck retired from The Catholic University of America in 2018, after more than thirty years as a professor, department chair, and dean. At the university, he was also the founder and long-time director of the Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies.
Vice Chair Ueland was reappointed to the Commission by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, for a second term, until May 2026. Vice Chair Ueland is a Visiting Fellow at the Heritage Institution and a member of the Board of Advisors at the Center for Constitutional Liberty at Benedictine College. In 2020-21, he served as the Senior Official (Acting Undersecretary) for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights at the U.S. Department of State, after some time as a Senior Advisor and then Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. Previously, he served as the Director of the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance Resources at the State Department, as a Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, and then as the White House Director of Legislative Affairs.
“Together with Chair Schneck and my colleagues, I am eager to continue our shared efforts to call out foreign governments perpetrating or tolerating severe violations of the fundamental, universal right to religious freedom. USCIRF will remain diligent in providing recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief abroad,” stated Vice Chair Ueland. “As the newly elected Chair and Vice Chair, we urge Congress to swiftly pass the USCIRF Reauthorization Act of 2024 so we can continue the vital work of the Commission beyond September 30, 2024.”
USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives. Also serving on the Commission are Maureen Ferguson, Susie Gelman, Vicky Hartzler, and Asif Mahmood. Read the Commissioners’ biographies here.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].