Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Aleksandr Neverov
Extra Bio Info:
Aleksandr Neverov is imprisoned for his religious activity.
In the winter of 2023, Russian authorities arrested Neverov for participating in Jehovah's Witness meetings, discussing religious texts, and recruiting new members.
In September 2025, the Proletarsky District Court of Saransk sentenced Neverov and Mikhail Shevchuk to 7 years' imprisonment for "organizing the activities of an extremist organization" (Art. 282.2 RCC).
Feb 20, 2026
In late October, President Donald Trump announced that he was designating Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, or CPC, in recognition of the horrific and worsening rash of religious violence that Africa’s most populous country has faced in recent years. In fact, USCIRF has recommended Nigeria’s CPC designation every year since 2009, highlighting the dangers of violent extremist groups, tensions between ethnic Fulani herder communities and Christian and Muslim farmers, mass abductions of schoolchildren that have become shockingly commonplace, and other escalating threats.
In this episode of USCIRF Spotlight, Supervisory Policy Analyst Kurt Werthmuller interviews Commissioners Maureen Ferguson and Mohamed Elsanousi to consider Nigeria’s designation as a CPC, the global and Nigerian response to that designation, and the road ahead for addressing the country’s ongoing religious freedom crisis.
Mar 04
Mar 4th 3:30pm
-
Mar 4th 4:30pm
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
2026 Annual Report: Key Findings and Recommendations
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm ET
Capitol Hill, Longworth House Office Building, Room 1539
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held an event for the release of its 2026 Annual Report.
The 2026 Annual Report, mandated by the U.S. Congress, documents systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief that occurred in 2025. The Commission will publicly share its recommendations, including its recommendations for Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), Special Watch List (SWL), and Entities of Particular Concern (EPC).
The report also highlights key global developments and trends related to international religious freedom in 2025, including countries that do not meet the criteria for CPC or SWL. In addition, it provides country-specific and overarching policy recommendations to the President, the U.S. Department of State, and Congress aimed at advancing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) abroad.
USCIRF Remarks
- Vicky Hartzler, Chair
- Asif Mahmood, Vice Chair
- Mohamed Elsanousi, Commissioner
- Maureen Ferguson, Commissioner
- Rachel Laser, Commissioner
- Stephen Schneck, Commissioner
Congressional Remarks
- Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
Recorded Remarks - Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Statement for the Record - Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Recorded Remarks - Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
Recorded Remarks - Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)
Remarks Shared at Event
This event is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or interview requests, please contact [email protected].