Religious Freedom Matters: USCIRF Conversation with UN High Commissioner Guterres

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres participated in a timely conversation yesterday hosted by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).  The conversation focused on the urgent refugee crisis taking place in Syria and across many parts of the world, the role of religious freedom violations in this crisis, and policies that best would address conflicts and their humanitarian consequences.

USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George gave opening comments and USCIRF Vice Chairman Eric Schwartz moderated the conversation with High Commissioner Guterres. 

According to UNHCR, by the end of 2014 almost 60 million people forcibly were displaced from their homes, the highest number since World War II.  Displaced people worldwide are fleeing war, political oppression, and religious persecution.  Syria’s 4 million refugees and 7.5 million internally displaced people makes that nation the largest producer in the world of displaced persons. 

For more information on USCIRF’s refugee recommendations please click here.  The conversation can be accessed here.

To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact Travis Horne at [email protected] or 202-786-0615.