This op-ed originally appeared in Religion News Service on July 24, 2018.

By Gayle Manchin and Johnnie Moore

(RNS) - This week, as hundreds of religious leaders, nonprofit heads and government officials gather in Washington for the State Department's first-ever ministerial on religious freedom, an election about to take place in Pakistan shows why the cause of religious freedom is as important as it has ever been in modern history.

For Pakistan’s Christians and minority Ahmadi Muslims, the run-up to Wednesday’s (July 25) vote has been terrifying. New hard-line Islamist political parties, such as the Allah-o-Akbar Tehreek and the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, have risen, focusing on denigrating the Ahmadis.

Last November, the TLP organized a violent protest that called for Ahmadi Muslims to be removed from high positions in Pakistani society, and demanded that a list be created of all Ahmadi Muslims working in the government. Ahmadis have long been subject to targeted killings, bomb attacks and vigilante violence, and the prospect of being publicly identified cast an even darker shadow over the community’s future

This kind of harassment is not isolated to extremist political parties. Earlier this month, Imran Khan, the celebrated cricketer and the establishment Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s candidate for prime minister, announced his support for controversial blasphemy laws, which have long been used to target and punish religious minorities. Khan’s hard-line approach has further marginalized religious minority communities.

Meanwhile, on July 4, the Islamabad High Court ruled that citizens must declare their faith when applying for any government-issued identification, a necessity for government employment. By stating that all citizens “have a right to know the religious beliefs of civil servants,” the IHC has laid the path for extremist groups to physically target and eliminate anyone who doesn’t fall in line with the political establishment’s ideology.

The Federal Minister for Information appealed the court’s decision, but when Pakistan’s most popular leaders and highest courts signal that certain religious communities are second-class citizens, the damage has already been done.

Take, for example, an attack on the 100-year-old historic Ahmadi mosque in Sialkot in May. Though the Ahmadi community was granted permission to make renovations, a mob attacked the mosque and the historical residence of the faith’s founder under the eye of the municipal authorities. The mob was allegedly led by Hafiz Hamid Raza, who is affiliated with Khan’s PTI.

Despite widespread international condemnation, a resolution in Pakistan’s Sindh province condemning the attack was rejected by legislators. The participation of a political leader in the attack on the mosque and the subsequent refusal to denounce such acts by a provincial assembly affirm that the Pakistani state is itself a major part of the problem.

As a consequence of the increasing discrimination, incitement and violence targeting Ahmadis, the community has decided to boycott the elections entirely out of fear that its members may be attacked.

Similar examples could be drawn from Pakistan’s Christian community, whose citizens have been frequently, unjustly imprisoned without proper due process and whose churches have been regularly attacked by extremists to the neglect of the nation’s security forces.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, on which we both serve, has also been monitoring alarming efforts within Pakistan’s military establishment to encourage politicians to stoke interreligious hate and violence in order to gain campaign funding and electoral support from religiously intolerant voters.

Pakistan’s decline has been consistent and entirely predictable. Every year since 2002, USCIRF has recommended to the State Department that Pakistan be designated a “country of particular concern” due to “ongoing, systematic, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

The international community and the U.S. government must put unrelenting pressure on whoever wins Wednesday’s election to immediately stop the harassment of the country’s religious minorities. The State Department should work collaboratively with its European partners, including the European Union and United Kingdom, to put Pakistan on notice that its failure to address these concerns will impact aid and trade.

Without sustained pressure from the U.S. and international community, the already dwindling population of religious minorities in Pakistan will soon face an existential threat.

The shame of our world’s record on religious freedom is that the story of any of a dozen minority groups could be told just by changing the names and country in this article. In a dozen more, the situation has so degraded that the persecuted minorities would like nothing more than to be in the situation of the Christians and Ahmadis in Pakistan today.

The success of this week’s ministerial will be determined not by the quality of sentiments shared by those present but by the strategic change made because of it. All eyes will be on Pakistan as the first of many places in which much must be done, fast.

(The Rev. Johnnie Moore, as a commissioner, and Gayle C. Manchin, as a vice chair, serve on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily represent those of Religion News Service.)
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2018

Pastor Andrew Brunson Returned to Turkish Prison

“The government of Turkey continues to make a mockery of justice in its treatment of Pastor Brunson,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned a Turkish court’s decision to return Pastor Andrew Brunson, an American citizen and leader of a small Protestant Christian church, to prison to await a fourth hearing on October 12, 2018. Pastor Brunson has been unjustly detained in Turkey since October 7, 2016 on false terrorism and espionage related charges. USCIRF Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga attended today’s hearing in Aliaga, Turkey. USCIRF has condemned the charges against Pastor Brunson and has called for his immediate release.

“The government of Turkey continues to make a mockery of justice in its treatment of Pastor Brunson,” said Vice Chair Arriaga. “Today I was hoping to see the judge order his complete release and put an end to the miscarriage of justice that Pastor Brunson’s entire case represents. Turkish authorities still have not provided one good reason for depriving Pastor Brunson of his liberties. The Trump Administration and the Congress should continue to apply pressure, including using targeted sanctions against officials connected to this case, until Pastor Brunson is released.”

For nearly two hours during the hearing, former church members testified against Pastor Brunson, making vague, unsubstantiated accusations.  When the judge asked Brunson to reply to the witnesses, he said: "My faith teaches me to forgive, so I forgive those who testified against me." Only one witness from the defense was allowed to testify.

After having lived and worked in Turkey for over 22 years, Pastor Brunson was initially detained almost two years ago and accused of membership in an armed terrorist organization. On March 13^th of this year, Turkish prosecutors indicted Pastor Brunson on terrorism and espionage related charges, seeking a sentence of up to 35 years’ imprisonment. His first hearing took place on April 16 and his second hearing took place on May 7.

High-level U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, have called for Pastor Brunson’s release. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently spoke about the ongoing detention of American citizens, including Pastor Brunson, in Turkey.  

On October 5, 2017, USCIRF Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga and then USCIRF Vice Chair Sandra Jolley were granted access to Kiriklar Prison in Izmir, Turkey and allowed to visit with Pastor Brunson. They were his first visitors outside of family, legal counsel, and U.S. embassy officials. They described their visit in an opinion editorial for Religion News Service, which can be found here.

In 2018, USCIRF placed Turkey on its Tier 2 list of countries noted for violations of religious freedom and began advocating for Pastor Brunson as a part of its Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.  

For more information, see USCIRF’s 2018 annual report chapter on Turkey.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Isaac Six, Director of Congressional Affairs and Communications ([email protected] +1-202-786-0606).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2018

USCIRF to Host Reception Celebrating 20^th Anniversary of IRFA and a Grant Workshop During First-Ever Ministerial on International Religious Freedom

“We are excited to participate in this Ministerial, which we welcome as a signal from the Administration of its commitment to defending religious freedom around the world,” said Chair Dorjee.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) will host a reception at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on Wednesday, July 25, in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), announced USCIRF chair Dr. Tenzin Dorjee today. The reception at USIP will be held on July 25 from 5:00-7:00 p.m during the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. This is an invitation-only event.

On Thursday, July 26, USCIRF will also host a grant workshop for civil society organizations.

The workshop will take place from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the Government Publishing Office building. Civil society participants will have the opportunity to learn how to apply for U.S. government funding from representatives from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

“We are excited to participate in this Ministerial, which we welcome as a signal from the Administration of its commitment to defending religious freedom around the world,” said Chair Dorjee. “As a bipartisan commission with a unique capacity to build bridges between civil society, religious groups and the U.S. and foreign governments, USCIRF has an important contribution to make at such a gathering.”

The Ministerial is expected to draw approximately 600 representatives of governments, international organizations, religious communities, civil society, and others involved in the defense of religious freedom around the world. USCIRF’s reception, entitled “Past, Present, and Future: Unprecedented Challenges and New Opportunities,” will offer attendees from various sectors the opportunity to network and build relationships, as well as to learn more about IRFA and its implementation since its passage and about the work of the Commission.

Invited attendees and speakers include Speaker Paul Ryan, Leader Nancy Pelosi, Leader Mitch McConnell, Leader Chuck Schumer, the Honorable Frank R. Wolf, as well as other Members of Congress, White House and Administration officials, Foreign Ministers, and former USCIRF Commissioners.

“We look forward to a productive exchange with those in positions of influence in other governments as well as with those who have overcome repression and are striving to ensure that more people can fully enjoy this fundamental right - freedom of religion or belief” said Chair Dorjee.

The other Commissioners commented:

“I’m excited about the opportunity this Ministerial represents for those fighting for religious freedom. I especially look forward to raising awareness at this key event about something that needs to receive more attention: the link between violations of religious freedom and women’s rights.”

-        Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga

“Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right that sadly is not enjoyed by millions around the world. This Ministerial is an important expression of our commitment to fight for the defense of this right alongside people of all faiths and none, and in concert with partners and allies from other nations.”

-        Vice Chair Gayle Manchin

“I think everyone should be encouraged by this initiative from the Administration. It represents a renewed commitment to promoting that which our founders rightly recognized as a foundational human right. I look forward to joining my fellow Commissioners in encouraging representatives from other nations to likewise dedicate themselves to expanding and defending this right for people all over the world.”

-        Commissioner Gary L. Bauer

“As someone who believes we should be more closely engaging with other governments on a host of issues, I look forward to speaking with representatives from Middle Eastern and other nations about religious freedom. Protecting this right for all religious minorities is not just the right thing to do but also something that is closely connected to their national security and economic interests.”

-        Commissioner Andy Khawaja

“I applaud the Administration for clearly communicating its commitment to religious freedom through this Ministerial. As people around the world face ever greater challenges to their sacred rights of conscience, it is imperative that we rededicate ourselves to this issue and join our efforts with those of other nations and civil society around the world to advance this fundamental right.”

-        Commissioner Nadine Maenza

“There are few issues I am more passionate about than religious freedom. I commend the Administration for taking the step of holding this unprecedented gathering and I’m thrilled about the opportunity to engage with advocates and government officials from various nations on ways we can all more effectively promote religious freedom.”

-        Commissioner Johnnie Moore

“As I have said before, religious freedom is the foundation for all other freedoms, so it is appropriate that the Administration is holding this Ministerial, the first of its kind, on religious freedom. This is a fundamental human right with a long and proud history in the U.S. and we must continue to protect it. It is a right that belongs to all people at all times throughout the world.

-        Commissioner Tony Perkins

For more information on USCIRF events during the ministerial, please click here.

For more information on the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, please click here.

For more information on side events taking place during the week of the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, please click here.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF’s mission is to elevate and promote international religious freedom. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties. To interview a Commissioner, please contact Isaac Six at [email protected] or +1-202-279-0274).