FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2019

USCIRF Statement on Anniversary of Pastor Andrew Brunson’s Release

WASHINGTON, DC – On October 12, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) marks the one-year anniversary of Pastor Andrew Brunson’s release by Turkish authorities. Pastor Brunson was first detained on false charges on October 7, 2016, and served almost two years in prison before he was transferred to house arrest on July 25, 2018. On October 12, 2018, a Turkish court unjustly convicted Pastor Brunson of providing aid to a terrorist organization and sentenced him to over three years, which the judge counted as time served.

USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins said, “Today, we look back and honor Pastor Brunson’s remarkable resolve and steadfastness in the face of persecution, and we celebrate his release and return home. However, we also remember his terrible suffering at the hands of Turkish authorities who targeted him for the practice of his faith.”

“While Pastor Brunson’s two-year ordeal has thankfully ended, we remain concerned for the state of religious freedom in Turkey, where numerous religious communities, such as the Alevis, Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox, and others continue to face government interference and other restrictions,” said USCIRF Commissioner Kristina Arriaga. “The Turkish government must cease its meddling and work to ensure religious freedom for all its citizens.” 

USCIRF advocated for Pastor Brunson’s release as part of its Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project, for which Commissioner Kristina Arriaga adopted his case. Commissioner Arriaga and former Commissioner Sandra Jolley visited Pastor Brunson in Kırıklar Prison, the first non-family, non-consular delegation to meet with him. Chair Tony Perkins attended the hearing that led to Pastor’s Brunson’s release and accompanied him back to the United States from Turkey. On June 27, 2019, USCIRF held a hearing on the Turkish government’s interference in religious freedom, at which Pastor Brunson testified as a witness.

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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 Dwight Bashir at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2019

USCIRF Statement on Turkish Offensive in Northeast Syria

WASHINGTON, DC – In response to news reports that Turkey has launched airstrikes on the border region of northeast Syria, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is urging the Trump administration to demand Turkey cease airstrikes on or near civilian areas and end its partnership with radical Islamist militias that have wreaked havoc elsewhere in northern Syria.

“Civilians in territory controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who represent a diverse group of religious and ethnic communities, are now at dangerous risk of falling victim to the violent chaos that Turkey’s incursion is likely to spark,” said USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins. “The United States and international partners must move quickly to limit civilian casualties and to prevent a repeat of the disastrous occupation of Afrin, Syria, by Turkish forces and their Syrian militia allies since 2018, which has displaced beleaguered Kurds, Christians, Yazidis and others.”

“Northeast Syria was a relatively free but fragile environment before this dangerous incursion,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin. “There is now a serious risk that Turkey’s offensive, and the likely redeployment of SDF troops to confront it, could open the door to a mass escape of ISIS detainees or a dangerous resurgence of the terrorist group in Syria and beyond.”

USCIRF noted in its 2019 Annual Report chapter on Syria that the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration (AA) in northeast Syria had created a uniquely supportive religious freedom environment, “allowing Muslims, Christians, and other communities to openly practice and express their beliefs—even including the freedom for Muslims to convert to other traditions and for residents to express unbelief or atheism.”

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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 Dwight Bashir at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.