Individuals imprisoned for their religion or belief continue to face state repression even upon their release. For example, in Saudi Arabia, China, and Egypt, many released prisoners face bans on leaving the country, preventing them from visiting family, speaking freely about their experiences, or finding work or residency in other countries. Such bans often have little oversight, transparency, or opportunity for appeal. In Vietnam, individuals are pressured not to speak to media or post on social media. In Nicaragua they are deported from the country as a condition for their release. Individuals in Iran may be forbidden from joining social groups or civil society organizations or face restrictions on their religious activities. They also may be sent into internal exile, miles away from their family and friends. 

On this episode of USCIRF Spotlight, Chair Vicky Hartzler speaks with Freedom House President Gerardo Berthin about individuals who continue to face restrictions on their religious freedom even after leaving prison. The episode highlights USCIRF-recommended CPC and SWL countries where such practices are in place and discusses policy recommendations for Congress and the administration to hold accountable governments engaged in these restrictions. 

Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants 

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on Nigeria:   

Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants – In recent years, armed actors from a Fulani ethnic background have perpetrated some of the most notorious, visible, and deadly attacks on religious communities in Nigeria—often but not exclusively against Christians. This publication examines these militants’ contributions to deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Nigeria by explaining the dynamics of Fulani-led militant violence as well as the Nigerian government’s responses to it.

In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF highlighted religious freedom violations by nonstate actors in Nigeria, including Fulani militants, and maintains its recommendation for that country’s ongoing designation as a CPC amid persistent violence against religious communities and other related challenges. 

###  

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency 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].  

Targeted Sanctions as a Key U.S. Foreign Policy Tool to Promote Religious Freedom

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on targeted sanctions:

Targeted Sanctions in Response to Violations of International Religious Freedom – Targeted sanctions are a vital U.S. foreign policy tool for promoting accountability for violations of religious freedom. Measures such as denying U.S. visas and freezing U.S.-based assets aim to influence behavior and demonstrate that the U.S. government will not tolerate such abuses. In addition to the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, other laws provide tools to sanction individual perpetrators, including the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of 2016 and the Immigration and Nationality Act. This factsheet outlines these relevant authorities and their application in countries such as Afghanistan, China, India, and Nicaragua, examining the role of targeted human rights sanctions within broader U.S. foreign policy efforts to advance religious freedom.

In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF urged the administration to apply its new global visa restriction policy related to religious freedom violations with a particular focus on countries USCIRF recommends for designation as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs) and placement on the Special Watch List (SWL). Given the strength of these tools, USCIRF further recommended the use of targeted sanctions in response to particularly severe or severe religious freedom violations in many of the countries that USCIRF recommends for these designations.

### 

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency 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].