Jan 13

WHEN:

Jan 13th 10:00am - Jan 13th 12:00pm

 

 

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Hearing on FoRB Violations Against Christians Abroad

Tuesday, January 13, 2026
10:00 AM-12:00 PM ET
Senate Dirksen Office Building, Room 106

Hearing Transcript
Hearing Summary
 

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a hearing on Christian persecution abroad. Many governments deny Christian communities the right to worship, teach, and speak about their faith. In all too many cases, Christians are being harassed, imprisoned, or murdered for merely exercising their faith. In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. government take steps to address FoRB violations, including those that impact Christians. 

Witnesses discussed FoRB conditions in select countries where Christians face religious persecution. They illustrated how broad restrictions on FoRB are having particular effects on Christian communities abroad. Witnesses also discussed U.S. government efforts and made recommendations on how to enhance relevant policies.

Opening Remarks

  • Chair Vicky Hartzler, USCIRF
  • Vice Chair Asif Mahmood, USCIRF
    Written Remarks 

Witnesses

  • Grace Drexel, Daughter of Detained Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, China
    Written Testimony
  • Y Phic H'dok, Founder, Montagnards Stand For Justice, Vietnam
    Written Testimony
  • Abdulbaqi Said Abdo, Former Christian religious prisoner of conscience, Egypt
    Written Testimony
    Video Testimony
  • Anonymous Pastor, Chin Community of Burma
    Written Testimony
  • Negede Teklemariam, Jehovah’s Witness, Former Religious Prisoner of Conscience, Eritrea
    Written Testimony
  • Rebecca Dali, Founder, Center for Caring, Empowering and Peace Initiatives; Pastor, Church of the Brethren in Nigeria
    Written Testimony
  • Martha Patricia Molina, Lawyer and Catholic Researcher, Nicaragua
    Written Testimony
  • Aneeqa Maria Anthony, Chief Executive, The Voice Society, Pakistan
    Written Testimony
  • Nourredine Benzid, Former General Secretary; Pastor, Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA), Algeria
    Written Testimony

Submitted for the Record

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].
 

Dec 31, 2025

Youth play a crucial role in promoting religious freedom in Africa by advocating for greater religious literacy, inclusivity, and understanding. In East Africa, young people face challenges to religious freedom. The Youth Tolerance Committee (YTC), a non-governmental organization based in Kenya and Tanzania, addresses these challenges head-on across the region, with the fundamental goal that communities and government respect all religions or beliefs and hear every voice.   

On today’s episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, Commissioner Steve Schneck speaks with YTC leaders to explore the religious dynamics affecting Kenyans and other East Africans, the vital role youth play in advancing religious freedom, and concrete opportunities for action to address these issues.

Dec 30, 2025

In June 2025, USCIRF commissioners traveled to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to assess religious freedom conditions. During the delegation, USCIRF confirmed that both governments continue to arbitrarily apply a broad and vague legislative framework to target peaceful religious activities of independent Muslims and religious minorities. In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State place Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan on the Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom.

On today’s episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, Chair Vicky Hartzler, Vice Chair Asif Mahmood, and Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi share in more detail findings from their recent travels.

Read USCIRF’s Kazakhstan Country Update and Kyrgyzstan Country Update to learn more about USCIRF’s 2025 delegation to Central Asia.

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