Additional Name(s): Ихтиёрхӯҷа Камолов
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Tajikistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Date of Detainment: April/4/2024
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Managing a Religious Institution Religious Activity Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems
Nature of Charges: Extremism
Ikhtiyorhoja Kamolov is detained for his independent religious activities.
On April 4, 2024, during Ramadan, authorities in Sughd region arrested Ikhtiyorhoja Kamolov, the imam of Khoja Muhammad Balodurkun mosque in the village of Rumon, for allowing minors to attend mosque and allegedly adhering to and spreading Salafism. Kamolov was reportedly charged with extremism.
Related Cases: Bakhtiyor Akbarov, Mirzoburhan Salmanzoda
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
2024 Annual Report: Key Findings and Recommendations
25 Years of IRFA
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
10:00-11:00 am ET
Virtual
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a virtual event on the 2024 Annual Report. This year’s report commemorates the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).
The 2024 Annual Report documents systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom that have occurred in the last year and provides recommendations to the U.S. government intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief abroad. It also highlights important global developments and trends related to religious freedom during 2023, including in countries that do not meet the criteria of a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) or Special Watch List (SWL).
Remarks
This event is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or interview requests, please contact [email protected]
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Date of Detainment: November/30/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Unregistered Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Embezzlement & Fraud
Ding Zhongfu is detained for his religious leadership role.
On November 30, 2023, law enforcement authorities in Hefei city, Anhui province, arrested Ding, an elder of the unregistered house church Ganquan Church, after raiding the homes of several church members. Ding was charged with “fraud”—a spurious charge Chinese authorities frequently use to target house church Protestants—reportedly tied to the church's collection of tithes and donations.
USCIRF Commissioners David Curry and Nury Turkel, Tweet, April 17, 2024
“Hefei’s Ganquan Church: Three Released, Two Remain in Jail” Bitter Winter
"Christian group and family raise outcry over detention of another ‘house church’ elder in China" Associated Press (AP)
"HOME » UNCENSORED NEWS » GANQUAN CHURCH MEMBERS FACE POSSIBLE ARREST AND PROSECUTION" ChinaAid