USCIRF Troubled with the Relocation of Rohingya Refugees to Bhasan Char Island

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed its concern over reports that Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are being forced to relocate from Cox’s Bazaar to the cyclone and flooding prone island of Bhasan Char.

“We are concerned that many Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Burma are facing forced relocation to an area that is deemed unsafe by the United Nations,” stated USCIRF Vice Chair Anurima Bhargava. “The transfer of Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char island must be based on a voluntary and informed decision, not a pressured or coerced initiative on behalf of the Bangladesh government.”

While USCIRF, along with the U.S. Department of State, commends Bangladesh for providing refuge to millions of Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution and violence in Burma, USCIRF also recognizes the apprehension faced by Rohingya refugees in relocating to a flood-prone area that is disconnected from mainland Bangladesh.

USCIRF Commissioner Nadine Maenza added, “We are gravely concerned about the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. We understand the many challenges the Bangladeshi government is facing while hosting the Rohingya refugees, especially during a global pandemic. However, we urge the Bangladeshi government to respect voluntary movement and ensure that refugees have access to health, livelihood, education, and be protected from natural disasters, such as cyclones and flooding from monsoons.”

USCIRF hopes that conditions in Burma improve allowing the return of Rohingya Muslim refugees from Bangladesh to their homes and livelihoods. In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State continue to designate Burma as a Country of Particular Concern, due to Burma’s systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief that includes its persecution of the Rohingya. In October 2020, USCIRF released a factsheet on Rohingya refugees in Southeast Asia.

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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 threats to 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].

USCIRF Condemns Harsh Sentence for Christian Bookseller Chen Yu

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the harsh and disproportionate sentence handed down to Chinese Christian bookseller Chen Yu. In September 2019, local authorities in Linhai City, Zhejiang Province, criminally detained Chen for selling Christian books imported from overseas. In September 2020, authorities sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on the charge of “illegal business operations” and fined him 200,000 yuan (approximately US $30,000).

“The seven-year sentence for Christian bookseller Chen Yu is extremely disproportionate and outrageous. It further shows that the Chinese Communist government is becoming increasingly hostile toward Christianity,” said USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer. “I call on the local government in Linhai City to immediately grant him the right to post bail and appeal his sentence. Chen deserves to be home with his family this Christmas, not behind bars.”

Chen’s harsh sentence came against a larger background of China’s escalating persecution of religious communities, including Protestant Christians. Those involved in Christian publishing in particular—including the publication or distribution of Bibles—have come under increasing scrutiny. In addition to Chen Yu, authorities in Bao’an District of Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province charged and sentenced two other Christian publishers in December for “illegal business operations.” The seven-year sentence against Chen, however, presents the harshest such penalty to date.

“Chen Yu’s sentence is not only disproportionate to his alleged crime—it is also yet another flagrant assault on religion by the Chinese government,” added USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel, “Chinese authorities have made it clear through their continued mistreatment of Uyghurs, Christians, Falun Gong Practitioners, and Tibetans that religious activity of any kind is unwelcome.”

In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State continue to designate China as a Country of Particular Concern, a recommendation USCIRF has made since its first Annual Report in 1999.

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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 threats to 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]

USCIRF Condemns Boko Haram Attacks and Threats against Christians

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned recent attacks by Boko Haram in Niger and northwest Nigeria, as well as threats by the group against Christians in the run up to the Christmas holiday.

“Boko Haram continues to commit gross violations of religious freedom in the Lake Chad Basin,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins. “These atrocious acts and religiously motivated threats are nothing short of deplorable.”

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed responsibility for a December 11 attack on an all-boys school in northwest Nigeria that has left over 300 students missing. The group also claimed responsibility for a December 12 attack in Niger that left 27 people dead. In a three-minute video sent to French news agency AFP, Boko Haram promised Christians more attacks ahead of Christmas.

“The U.S. government must pressure the Nigerian and Nigerien governments to act fast to protect Christian communities from these despicable threats of violence in the coming days,” added Commissioner Fred Davie. “Christians have the right to celebrate free from fear and intimidation no matter where they live.”

In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, and that Boko Haram be designated an “entity of particular concern,” or EPC, under the International Religious Freedom Act for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

Earlier this month, the State Department designated Nigeria a CPC for the first time ever.

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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 threats to 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 or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].