FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2019

USCIRF Applauds Sanctions against Senior Burmese Military Officials

WASHINGTON, DC—The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the Department of Treasury’s designation of senior Burmese military officials for sanctions under Executive Order 13818 and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, due to their individual roles in mass atrocities in Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan states. Designated individuals include Min Aung Hlaing, the Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese military; Soe Win, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese military; Than Oo, a leader of the 99th Light Infantry Division in Rakhine State; and Aung Aung, a leader of the 33rd Light Infantry Division in Rakhine State.

“USCIRF has long highlighted the Burmese military’s violations of religious freedom and mass violence against vulnerable communities and the importance of holding those responsible to account. These designations, which USCIRF had recommended, represent an important step forward in finding justice for the Rohingya and other persecuted groups,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Nadine Maenza.

“We applaud the Department of Treasury for sanctioning Burmese military leaders on International Human Rights Day for atrocities that USCIRF believes constitute crimes against humanity and genocide. Under their command, Burmese military forces committed egregious acts of violence – including extrajudicial killings, rape, and forced disappearances – and displaced millions from their homeland,” stated USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava.

In its 2019 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the State Department continue to designate Burma as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act due to systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom. Among its policy recommendations, USCIRF urged the U.S. government “to impose targeted sanctions on members of Burma’s military, security forces, and non-state actors for severe human rights and religious freedom violations.”

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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] or call 202-523-3240.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2019

USCIRF Releases New Report on Shari’ah Criminal Law in Northern Nigeria

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a study conducted by Bauman Global on Shari’ah Criminal Law in Northern Nigeria. The report examines the laws and institutions in three northern states in Nigeria: Kano, Sokoto, and Zamfara, which are among 12 states where Islamic penal laws and criminal procedure codes are used.

“This report demonstrates the problematic implications of using one religion as the basis of law enforcement in these states. It is unnerving to learn of the latitude of authority given to hisbah groups, the lack of protection against discrimination, the prevalence of flogging as a punishment, and the great need for stronger oversight and human rights training for justice and security personnel,” said Chair Tony Perkins.

Researchers analyzed 173 cases from 2017 and conducted 147 interviews with court judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys, journalists, legal experts, religious leaders, individuals who had been tried in the courts, and others. They found that over 75% of Muslims and some Christians prefer Shari’ah courts because they are cheaper, faster, and conducted in the Hausa language. Despite the positive perceptions shared, interviews also repeatedly raised concerns about corruption, unfair trials, and confessions obtained through the use of torture.

Vice Chair Gayle Manchin noted that “This report will certainly serve as a valuable resource for policymakers and practitioners seeking to support Nigeria, to improve justice and security, and to  protect religious freedom in the country.”

In its 2019 Annual Report, USCIRF again recommended that Nigeria be designated by the State Department as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations that are “systematic, ongoing and egregious.” USCIRF has recommended CPC status for Nigeria since 2009, however the State Department has never designated it as such.

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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 persehcution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or call 202-523-3240.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2019

USCIRF Raises Serious Concerns and Eyes Sanctions Recommendations for Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in India, Which Passed Lower House Today

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply troubled by the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), originally introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah, in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament) given the religion criterion in the bill. The CAB will now move to the Rajya Sabha (Indian Parliament’s Upper House). If the CAB passes in both houses of parliament, the United States government should consider sanctions against the Home Minister and other principal leadership.

The CAB enshrines a pathway to citizenship for immigrants that specifically excludes Muslims, setting a legal criterion for citizenship based on religion. The CAB is a dangerous turn in the wrong direction; it runs counter to India’s rich history of secular pluralism and the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law regardless of faith. In conjunction with the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) process in Assam and nationwide NRC that the Home Minister seeks to propose, USCIRF fears that the Indian government is creating a religious test for Indian citizenship that would strip citizenship from millions of Muslims.

The Lok Sabha first passed the CAB in January 2019, but due to protests, the government withdrew it before it could be voted on by the Rajya Sabha. Both houses of parliament must ratify a bill before it can become law. The BJP included the passage of the CAB as part of its manifesto released ahead of its overwhelming electoral victory in May 2019.

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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 persehcution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or call 202-523-3240.