Sep 9, 2025
Promoting Religious Freedom is a Vital Atrocity Prevention Tool
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on the link between atrocity prevention and international religious freedom:
Preventing Mass Atrocities Targeting Religious Communities – Religious freedom violations and the targeting of religious identities can play a significant role in elevating the risk of mass killings and atrocities. In fact, more than half of the top 30 countries most at risk of mass killings are identified in USCIRF’s Annual Report for poor religious freedom conditions. In recognition of the core national security interest and moral responsibility in preventing atrocities, the bipartisan Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018 creates legislative mandates to support U.S. government atrocity prevention efforts. This policy update details these legislative requirements, emphasizing the need for the U.S. government to continue to prioritize atrocity prevention and response, with a focus on the promotion of international religious freedom as a tool to prevent atrocities.
In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF includes recommendations to the U.S. government to address religious freedom violations, which can play a significant role in reducing the risk of mass atrocities where relevant. USCIRF also examined U.S. government atrocity prevention and response efforts in hearings on Ending Genocide - Accountability for Perpetrators and Genocide Determinations and Next Steps.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency 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].
Additional Name(s): Xiaohua
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: China
Ethnic Group: Han
Religion or Belief: Christian – Church of Almighty God
Sentence: 7 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/4/2021
Date of Sentencing: August/30/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Possession of Religious Materials Proselytizing Activities Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Cult
Zhu Xingxiu
Extra Bio Info:
Zhu Xingxiu is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.
On October 4, 2021, authorities in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, detained Zhu because of her religious activities with the Church of Almighty God, including possessing and disseminating religious materials and gathering together with other members.
On August 30, 2023, the Jiaojiang District Court of Taizhou City sentenced Zhu to seven years and six months in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). The court also fined her 8,000 yuan.
Publicly Available Information:
- "CAG Christians Collectively Given Heavy Jail Terms As CCP Escalates Efforts To Ban The Church" Association for the Defense of Human Rights and Religious Freedom
Additional Name(s): Zhao Yang
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: China
Ethnic Group: Han
Religion or Belief: Christian – Church of Almighty God
Sentence: 7 Years, 2 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/23/2022
Date of Sentencing: June/20/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Possession of Religious Materials Proselytizing Activities Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Cult
Zhang Hongxia
Extra Bio Info:
Zhang Hongxia is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.
On August 23, 2022, authorities from Shandong Province’s Qixia City Public Security Bureau detained Zhang in connection with her Church of Almighty God activities, including her missionary activities, possession of religious materials, and religious leadership role.
On June 20, 2023, the Qixia People’s Court sentenced Zhang to seven years and two months in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). The court also fined her 40,000 yuan.
Publicly Available Information:
- "CAG Christians Collectively Given Heavy Jail Terms As CCP Escalates Efforts To Ban The Church" Association for the Defense of Human Rights and Religious Freedom