Mar 12, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Factsheet on International Crimes Against the Rohingya of Burma
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new factsheet on accountability for international crimes against the Rohingya of Burma:
Burma Factsheet - This factsheet provides an overview of the legal accountability processes for alleged international crimes – including genocide and crimes against humanity – committed against the Rohingya in Burma, implications of these actions, and possible outcomes. On January 23, 2020, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced provisional measures requiring that the Burmese government must “take all measures within its power” to ensure that the military and any irregular armed units “do not commit acts of genocide” against the Rohingya in Burma. This unanimous decision was the first international court ruling against Burma and a key recognition of the ongoing vulnerability of the Rohingya to genocidal violence by the Burmese government and non-state actors. The ICJ case is being conducted at the same time as a universal jurisdiction case in Argentina and an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into Burmese officials’ actions against the Rohingya.
In its 2019 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that Burma be re-designated as a “country of particular concern” due to its systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
###
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] or call (202) 523-3240.
Mar 11, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Nicaragua
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Nicaragua Country Update – This report is an examination of religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua in 2019. Following an outbreak of anti-government protests in April 2018, the Catholic Church offered support to protesters by providing sanctuary in churches and medical care, and in some cases vocal encouragement. Consequently, President Daniel Ortega’s government, security forces, and supporters started a campaign of intimidation and harassment against Catholic institutions, clergy, and churchgoers. This has severely disrupted the ability of Catholics to worship freely in Nicaragua and has led to clergymen having to flee the country out of concern for their safety.
# # #
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] or call (202) 523-3240.
Mar 10, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Cuba
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Cuba Policy Update – This report provides an overview of the key religious freedom violations that occurred in Cuba during 2019. While Cuba adopted a new constitution in April 2019 that changed the country’s constitutional provisions related to freedom of religion or belief, violations have continued. Alongside the constitution, the government uses a restrictive system of laws and policies, surveillance, and harassment to control religious groups and suppress freedom of religion or belief. The report examines the ongoing issues, including the continued detention and harassment of religious leaders and the denial of religious freedom for democracy and human rights activists and independent journalists.
In its 2019 Annual Report, USCIRF placed Cuba on its Tier 2 list.
# # #
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] or call (202) 523-3240.