Additional Name(s): 邵华煊
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Date of Detainment: June//2025
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Shao Huaxuan
Extra Bio Info:
Shao Huaxan is detained for his religious belief and association.
In June 2025, authorities detained Shao Huaxan and four others for their involvement in the banned Full Scope Church movement. During interrogation, authorities mistreated Shao to force a confession. In July 2025, he was released on bail.
In September 2025, authorities rearrested Shao on "cult" charges and confined him at Kangping PSB Detention Center.
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iraq
Religion or Belief: Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light
Date of Detainment: May//2026
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Mursal Khalfa
Publicly Available Information:
Mursal Khalfa is imprisoned for his religious conversion and activity.
In June 2025, Iraqi National Security Service agents raided Khalfa's home and arrested him after he was accused of changing his religion, sharing about it online, and insulting religious figures. Detention authorities beat him and interrogated him about his faith and religious connections.
In January 2026, a judge sentenced him to 1 year's imprisonment for publicly expressing an opinion deemed to "insult" religious symbols, persons, or beliefs (Art. 372 IPC).
May 14, 2026
Threats to Religious Freedom in Somalia
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on Somalia:
Religious Freedom in Somalia – In 2026, the Federal Republic of Somalia faces ongoing challenges to religious freedom as the insurgent group al-Shabaab expands across the country, wielding its violent religious ideology against converts to Christianity and dissenting Muslims. This publication outlines major issues affecting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Somalia, including the breakaway states of Somaliland and Puntland.
In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the United States redesignate al-Shabaab as an Entity of Particular Concern (EPC) for its particularly severe violations of religious freedom. USCIRF’s 2023 Factsheet on Religious Freedom in the Horn of Africa highlighted these and other ongoing threats to freedom of religion or belief in Somalia.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on 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].