Additional Name(s): Rolando José Álvarez, Rolando Jose Alvarez Lagos

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Sentence: 26 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/4/2022

Date of Sentencing: February/10/2023

Date of Release: January/14/2024

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Criminal Premeditation & Conspiracy Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition

Rolando Álvarez

Extra Bio Info:

Rolando Álvarez was imprisoned for criticizing religious freedom conditions.

On August 4, 2022, police prevented Álvarez, bishop of the Matagalpa diocese, from leaving his home to perform mass at a local cathedral after he criticized the government’s recent closure of several Catholic radio stations and its human rights record. Álvarez remained under de facto house arrest as authorities investigated him for “organizing violent groups” and encouraging them “to carry out acts of hate against the population.”

On August 19, 2022, police arrested Álvarez from his residence. It is reported that he was taken to Managua and placed under house arrest in his parents' home.

In December 2022, a court ordered that Álvarez remain under house arrest on charges of “conspiracy” and “spreading false news." He was also accused of “damaging the Nicaraguan government and society.”

On February 10, 2023, a court sentenced Álvarez to 26 years in prison after he declined to be exiled to the United States in a prisoner release the day before. Álvarez was reportedly convicted of several charges, including treason, undermining national integrity and spreading false news. He was also fined and stripped of his citizenship.

On January 14, 2024, Álvarez was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.

Related Cases: Ramiro Tijerino, Sadiel Eugarrios, Raúl Antonio Vega, José Luis Díaz, Darvin Leiva, Melkin Sequeira, Sergio Cárdenas

Publicly Available Information:
  • USCIRF Commissioners Frederick Davie and Frank Wolf, Tweet, January 16, 2024

Additional Name(s): همایون ژاوه

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Health Concerns: Parkinson’s disease

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/13/2022

Date of Sentencing: November//2020

Date of Release: May//2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Practicing Religion as a Convert Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization

Homayoun Zhaveh

Extra Bio Info:

Homayoun Zhaveh was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert.

In June 2019, authorities arrested Zhaveh and his wife, Sara Ahmadi, as they were on vacation with some friends. Zhaveh's wife was accused of leading a house-church and Zhaveh was accused of being a member of it. 

In August 2019, Zhaveh was reportedly released on bail.

In November 2020, Zhaveh was sentenced to two years in prison for "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC).

In December 2020, Zhaveh's sentence was upheld.

In June 2021, Zhaveh was informed that the Supreme Court had rejected his appeal for retrial.

On August 13, 2022, authorities detained Zhaveh after and sent him to Evin prison, possibly to begin serving his sentence.

In May 2023, it was reported that both Zhaveh and his wife were acquitted and released from their combined ten-year prison sentence. 

Related Cases: Sara Ahmadi

Publicly Available Information:

Aug 12, 2022

USCIRF Welcomes President Joe Biden’s Appointment of Mohamed Hag Magid to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Washington, DC – President Joseph R. Biden announced on August 10, 2022, the appointment of Mohamed Hag Magid to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

USCIRF welcomes Mohamed Magid and looks forward to his valuable expertise and insight that his years of experience working on international religious freedom bring to the Commission.

Mohamed Magid is the Executive Religious Director of All Dulles Area Muslim Society Center in Sterling, Virginia. He is the Chairman of International Interfaith Peace Corps, serves as a member of the Muslim Jewish Council, and is a Co-President of Religions for Peace. He was part of the Marrakesh Declaration initiative that aims to protect religious minorities in majority Muslim countries. Magid is also the Co-Founder of the Multi-faith Neighbors Network, which focuses on building bridges between Muslim, Evangelical Christian, and Jewish communities.

For years, Magid has focused on promoting freedom of religion or belief, preventing violence against women, and preventing violence and hate in our societies. Magid works with the United Nations Development Programme in training imams to deal with violence and extremism against religious minorities in East and West Africa.

USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives. With Commissioner Magid’s appointment, USCIRF now has a full complement of nine Commissioners.

###

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].

Subscribe to