USCIRF Praises Nomination of a New Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom

USCIRF Commends the White House for Action to Promote the Freedom of Religion or Belief

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the White House nomination of Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas as the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. As a Senator from 1996-2011, he was at the forefront of international religious freedom issues.

USCIRF Chairman Daniel Mark stated that, “The Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom is a vital post and Gov. Brownback is an outstanding choice for it. The person who fills this position will be America’s primary voice for the freedom of religion abroad and Gov. Brownback has impressive qualifications in this area. The Ambassador-at-Large also plays a key role in USCIRF’s work as an ex officio member of the Commission, so we look forward to working with him.”

While in the Senate, Gov. Brownback consistently supported religious freedom and human rights for all, serving as co-chair of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus.  His record included: legislation condemning Iran for its treatment of Baha’is; sanctions on Vietnam for human rights abuses; legislation to protect religious communities in Russia; and actions providing for humane treatment of immigrant detainees. In addition, he was a key sponsor of the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act that established USCIRF and the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom.

In May 2000, then Sen. Brownback chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to review the first USCIRF annual report. He described an atmosphere that was more open to a public discussion of religious freedom. He added that he hoped it was not a “cyclical thing, but rather something…on a trajectory toward growth, that we recognize this most fundamental of human rights.”

“We are very pleased that President Trump has made this selection,” added Chairman Mark. “Gov. Brownback understands that religious freedom violations must be sharply highlighted and that progress must be clearly recognized, precisely what USCIRF aims to do in its work. We hope that the Senate confirms his nomination swiftly.”

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).

Commissioner John Ruskay sent the following letter to Russian religious prisoner of conscience Bagir Kazikhanov.

Click here to read the Russian translation of the letter.

July 26, 2017

Bagir,

I write recognizing that this letter never may reach you. Through my position as a Commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), I have become aware of your dire situation and have resolved to dedicate my efforts to securing your unconditional release from prison.

You and your fellow Muslims studied Said Nursi, an Islamic commentator who called for Islam to be modernized.  Said Nursi rejected hatred and violence. Yet the Russian government, because officials believe that your peaceful practices threaten national security and pose a cultural and physical threat to Russia, denied you your freedom. In February 2015, you were accused under the Criminal Code of recruiting a “terrorist” cell of Nursi followers and sentenced to three and a half years’ imprisonment.  

The Russian government accused you of participating in extremist activity, which you have not. They accused you of founding a terror cell, which you did not. And they believe that your beliefs pose an existential threat to Russia, which they do not.  

What you have done is peacefully follow the dictates of your conscience.  Yet the Russian government surveils, investigates, and prosecutes you and many of your fellow Nursi readers for alleged extremism despite no link to such activities.  And because of that you have lost your freedom.

Bagir, you have my support and the support of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. My colleagues and I will continue to highlight your case, and hope to meet you as a free man in the very near future.

Sincerely,

John Ruskay

John Ruskay is a Commissioner at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). USCIRF 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’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project highlights the plight of individuals who have been imprisoned for their religious beliefs, practices or identity. Click here to learn more about Bagir Kazikhanov.

Click here to watch Commissioner Ruskay’s statement in support of Bagir Kazikhanov.

Last year, Saudi Arabia unveiled Saudi Vision 2030, a bold plan to transform the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy to make it much more diversified and durable, no matter how global energy markets change. Vision 2030 makes it clear: to accomplish that would require Saudi Arabia to become “a tolerant country with Islam as its constitution and moderation as its method.” Who can argue with that goal?

But let’s be candid. Saudi Arabia has a long way to go. Since its inception, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, on which I serve as a commissioner, has recommended that Saudi Arabia be designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” because the government engages in violations of religious freedom that are “systematic, ongoing and egregious.”

The State Department has designated the Kingdom a CPC since 2004 but always has given the Saudis a waiver from the consequences of the CPC designation. Why? Some say the waiver reflects the State Department’s view about what’s in the United States' interest. Without the waiver, the designation would trigger actions that could range from slight to severe.

I traveled to Saudi Arabia with fellow USCIRF commissioners in February and saw firsthand that some progress is being made. For example, the religious police — the mutaween — no longer have the power to make arrests. If they believe someone is violating the country’s religious laws, they can only report that violation to the regular police who then decide whether to take action. Saudi human rights activists with whom USCIRF commissioners met called these “baby steps,” but added that it gives them hope that further progress is possible.

The barriers, however, are substantial. The powerful Saudi religious establishment’s use of the state to enforce its interpretation of Islam is severe and intolerant, and aims to maintain the status quo. Other readings of Islam are either disadvantaged or prohibited outright. Non-Muslims may not worship publicly. Private worship, in homes, for example, is not a right, though authorities do often turn a blind eye to small gatherings of Christians (who are not citizens but only guest workers from such countries as the Philippines and India).

The government also continues to restrict a broad range of other human rights. Women’s rights and women’s participation in society present a complicated picture. Under what’s called the “legal guardianship system,” women must be in the charge of a man — whether he's a father, a brother or even a son. Their second-class “guardianship” status, however, contrasts with women’s increasing participation in broader areas of society. For example, a majority of Saudi college graduates are now women, and the number of female lawyers is growing as is the role they play in the legal system.

Despite such promising trends, Saudi courts continue to prosecute individuals for political dissent, and variations from the state-backed conservative orthodoxy are often regarded as blasphemy or apostasy.

Those imprisoned for such crimes are seen by USCIRF and others as “prisoners of conscience.” One of them is the blogger and activist Raif Badawi. As part of the Commission’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project, I have chosen to raise my voice in support of him and advocate on his behalf.

June 17 marked the fifth anniversary of Badawi’s arrest for “insulting Islam.” His “crime” was running a website that encouraged debate on religious and political matters in Saudi Arabia.

Six months after his arrest, he appeared before the Jeddah Criminal Court where he faced additional charges: "setting up a website that undermines general security," "ridiculing Islamic religious figures" and "going beyond the realm of obedience." He also was charged with apostasy. A conviction carries the death sentence under Saudi Arabia’s interpretation of Shari’ah, Islamic law.

On July 29, 2013, Badawi was sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes. Next, an appeals court increased his punishment to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes and a large fine.

On Jan. 9, 2015, Badawi was flogged 50 times near a Jeddah mosque in front of hundreds of spectators. This was to be the first of 20 weekly lashings carried out each Friday. Thankfully, intense pressure from the international community, including from USCIRF and a medical doctor’s finding that he could not withstand such treatment for long, halted additional floggings. Should they resume and be fully carried out, his sentence could soon become a death sentence. And his family believes these floggings could resume at any time.

He has not seen his wife, Ensaf Haidar, and their young children — Najwa, Doudi and Miriyam — for more than five years. For their safety, his wife and children fled Saudi Arabia for Canada where they were granted asylum in 2013. Ensaf Haidar has tirelessly advocated for her husband, as have the three children for their father, and as I will do until Badawi is free.

Saudi Vision 2030’s aspirations are laudable. Saudi Arabia should become a tolerant and moderate country, but that means accepting some debate and even dissent. That transformation needs to begin now. Releasing Badawi would represent a meaningful step forward.