Feb 19, 2025
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Egypt
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom in Egypt:
Egypt Country Update – This report assesses the situation of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Egypt. While in certain respects the government continues to support initiatives that selectively promote religious diversity and tolerance, Egypt is systematically enforcing laws, policies, and judicial decisions that repress non-Muslim religious life, including for Coptic Christians, Jews, Baha’is, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Qur’anists.
In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Egypt as a “Special Watch List,” or SWL, country for engaging in systematic and ongoing violations of religious freedom.
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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].
Feb 15, 2025
USCIRF Marks the 10th Anniversary of the Execution of 21 Christians in Libya
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) solemnly commemorates the 10th anniversary of the ruthless abduction and execution in Libya of 21 Christian migrant workers by Islamic State – Libya, an affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
“Today we remember the 21 young men who were brutally murdered by ISIS solely for being Christian,” said USCIRF Commissioner Vicky Hartzler. “The U.S. government must continue to be an unrelenting voice against violence that targets religious communities, including Coptic Christians.”
In February 2015, ISIS published the final moments of one Ghanaian and twenty Coptic Orthodox men working in Libya. ISIS militants had kidnapped the men in separate incidents, then forcibly marched them to a beach. There, all refused to renounce their faith before the militants executed them.
“While Libyan courts have convicted some of the ISIS executioners, the country’s broader ongoing environment of impunity undermines religious freedom,” USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi. “USCIRF encourages the United States to support efforts to help stabilize the country in a way that secures freedom of religion or belief for all Libyans.”
USCIRF’s 2023 Factsheet provides an overview of increasing violations of religious freedom in Libya.
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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]
Feb 27
Feb 27th 10:30am
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing
Burma in Transition: Next Steps to Advance Religious Freedom and Improve Conditions for Religious Victims
Thursday, February 27, 2025
10:30 AM-12 PM ET
Virtual
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a virtual hearing that discussed potential next steps to advance religious freedom in Burma and to improve conditions for religious victims amid that country’s ongoing civil war.
The Burmese military and its State Administration Council have targeted ethnic and religious minorities for more than two decades. USCIRF has consistently reported on the worsening religious freedom violations, including its attacks on hundreds of religious sites, leaders, and communities as well as its forcible conscription of ethno-religious minorities such as members of the Rohingya community. Burma has seen the displacement of over 3.4 million people, including Rohingya Muslims as well as Chin, Kachin, and Kayah Christians.
In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Burma as a Country of Particular Concern, or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). In October 2024, USCIRF released a country update to highlight military and political developments within Burma, attacks on religious communities, conditions for refugee populations who have fled the country, and the global response to this conflict.
Expert witnesses discussed the ongoing conflict’s disastrous impact on religious freedom, updates on refugee conditions, and U.S. foreign policy options to address this persistent and deeply challenging situation.
Opening Remarks
- Meir Soloveichik, Vice Chair, USCIRF
- Asif Mahmood, Commissioner, USCIRF
Written Remarks
Panel
- Kachin Christian Leader
Written Testimony - Yasmin Ullah, Founder/Executive Director, Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network
Written Testimony - Salai Za Uk Ling, Executive Director, Chin Human Rights Organization
Written Testimony - Jessica Olney, Non-resident Advisor on Burma and Bangladesh, Preventing and Ending Mass Atrocities (PAEMA)
Written Testimony
This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].