USCIRF Vice Chairwoman Kristina Arriaga Testifies Before the House Oversight Committee

Arriaga tells Members that religious freedom violations “have security implications for the United States"
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, Kristina Arriaga, the Vice Chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), testified before the National Security Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Speaking on the “government’s role in protecting international religious freedom,” Arriaga advised the Members that “we ignore religious freedom violations at our peril and must address challenges proactively.”  

Ms. Arriaga stated that “some governments view religion as competition, an alternate source of authority, which they must control. However, in so doing, they create more instability, not enhanced authority.”  Governments seek this control by: using national security concerns as an excuse for violating religious freedom; pitting groups against each other to enhance the government’s power; allowing violators to act with impunity; and inciting vigilante groups and others to violence.

Vice Chairwoman Arriaga reminded the subcommittee members that non-state actors, especially in failed or failing states, are among the primary perpetrators of egregious religious freedom violations, and reviewed some of the tools the U.S. government can use to address international religious freedom violations.  These tools include the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, the 2016 Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, and the Global Magnitsky Act.  She also underscored that our government “must have the political will to use” these and other tools, and “that is where we can fall short.”   

She also noted the key role women play in building lasting peace and security.  “Especially during conflicts,” she warned, “women often are targeted for violence and discrimination, with religion used to disempower them.”  She also stressed that it is a “betrayal of the very foundations of freedom of religion or belief whenever it is misused to justify inexcusable, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, and forced conversion.”

Ms. Arriaga called for greater focus on religious prisoners of conscience unjustly imprisoned for their religious beliefs, activities, and advocacy and the impact of unjust laws and practices.  “To do our part,” she added, “Each Commissioner is advocating for a prisoner as part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.  I would encourage each Member of this subcommittee to adopt a prisoner as well.”

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or John D. Lawrence, Director of Communications ([email protected]/ +1-202-786-0611).  

USCIRF Chairman Mark says “Sudan is an egregious violator of religious freedom”

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is disappointed by the decision to permanently lift U.S. trade and economic sanctions on Sudan. In June, USCIRF wrote Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urging him to maintain sanctions on Sudan, stating that “Sudan has not ‘sustained positive actions’ with regard to religious freedom.” USCIRF also criticized the sanctions review policy for not requiring an evaluation of progress, or lack thereof, on human rights or religious freedom. 

“USCIRF is disappointed that the White House chose to lift the Sudan sanctions,” said USCIRF’s Chairman Daniel Mark.  “The State Department must now redouble its efforts to engage the government of Sudan on pressing for greater religious freedom and better overall human rights.”

On January 13, 2017, then President Barack Obama signed Executive Order (EO) 13761 indicating progress by the Sudanese government in lessening military hostilities, increasing access to humanitarian assistance, and cooperating with the United States on regional conflicts and counterterrorism. EO 13761 directed lifting the existing investment and trade sanctions by July 12, 2017 if the White House determined, in consultation with other relevant agencies, that the Sudanese government “has sustained the positive actions” described above. On July 11, the Trump Administration announced a three-month delay in the sanctions decision.

Since 1999, USCIRF has recommended, and the State Department has so designated, Sudan as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations.  “Sudan is an egregious violator of religious freedom and should again be designated a CPC,” added Chairman Mark. 

Since South Sudan’s secession in 2011, USCIRF has documented a deterioration of religious freedom conditions in Sudan year after year.  The government of Sudan, led by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, imposes a restrictive interpretation of Shari’ah and applies corresponding hudood punishments on Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Government officials arrested and prosecuted Christian leaders and marginalized the Christian community. During this period, the Sudanese government has: arrested nearly 200 Christians, including 15 religious leaders; demolished or partially demolished approximately 20 churches and church buildings; expropriated or threatened to expropriate at least 10 others; and have stated that they would no longer issue permits for new church construction.

For more information, see USCIRF’s 2017 annual report chapter on Sudan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2017

TURKEY: USCIRF Delegation Visits Imprisoned U.S. Citizen Pastor Andrew Brunson

Pastor Brunson says, "Knowing that I am not forgotten is important to me"

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Almost a year to the day when American Pastor Andrew Brunson was detained, Vice Chairwomen Sandra Jolley and Kristina Arriaga, of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), visited him in Kiriklar Prison in Izmir, Turkey. Since his imprisonment, only his lawyer, relatives, and U.S. embassy officials had been able to see him.

"The government of Turkey has fabricated charges against Pastor Brunson, largely based on purported 'secret testimony'," said Vice Chairwoman Arriaga. "He should be released immediately.""I wish to thank everyone who is advocating and praying for me," Pastor Brunson said during the visit. "Knowing that I am not forgotten is important to me."

Pastor Brunson was initially confined to a cell meant to accommodate 8 men but was instead crowded with 21 prisoners. He has since been moved to Kiriklar Prison where he is confined 24-hours a day to a cell with two others accused of being members of the Gülen movement. Suffering from the effects of the sustained stress he has endured, he has lost over 50 pounds.

Pastor Brunson spent over 20 years ministering to Christians in Turkey. He has been accused of trying to overthrow the Turkish government and its constitution, all charges he says are completely false.  If convicted, Pastor Brunson could be sentenced to life in prison.

USCIRF Vice Chairwoman Jolley said, "He lives in a world of psychic and physical dislocation. Despite a public veneer of a legal process, the truth is Pastor Brunson has had no due process, no true information about the charges against him, unreliable court dates, and no idea when he ever again will see his children or his country."

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or John D. Lawrence, Director of Communications ([email protected]/ +1-202-786-0611).