Apr 22, 2025
USCIRF Offers Condolences on the Death of Pope Francis
Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) offers its condolences to the Catholic community worldwide as it mourns Pope Francis, and to all religious communities who looked to him for inspiration as he led the Church for over 12 years. Pope Francis regularly called for the protection of religious freedom and vulnerable communities, particularly in areas of conflict or political turmoil—including Ukraine, Burma, and Nicaragua—and traveled to some of the world’s most challenging environments for religious freedom and other human rights, such as Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, and Iraq.
“We join the world in remembering Pope Francis’s remarkable legacy of mercy and compassion,” said USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “Amid his deep and abiding commitment to standing for the most vulnerable among us, he also made significant contributions to advancing the cause of international religious freedom. We are deeply grateful for his work advocating for greater inclusion and non-discrimination for vulnerable religious minorities, and for the rights of millions of people displaced by religious violence and genocide during his time as pontiff. As he declared in his final Easter message, just this week: ‘There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others.’”
The Vatican actively promoted religious freedom under Pope Francis’s leadership and direct engagement. In a 2014 address to an international conference on religious freedom, he described it as “a fundamental human right which reflects the highest human dignity” while lamenting the epidemic of religious persecution that “distorts reason, attacks peace and humiliates human dignity.” He carried this vital message to the United Arab Emirates in 2019, where he signed the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” with the head of the world’s most influential Sunni Muslim institution, al-Azhar.
“As we offer our condolences to the global Catholic community,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Meir Soloveichik, “we also reaffirm our steadfast and abiding commitment to freedom of religion or belief for Catholics and all faith communities around the world.”
USCIRF’s 2025 Annual Report details religious freedom conditions in countries where religious repression and persecution remain serious and often life-threatening challenges—including many circumstances for which Pope Francis often expressed his concern and called for change.
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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].
Apr 14, 2025
USCIRF Releases Report on Russia’s Blasphemy Enforcement
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report:
Prosecuting Blasphemy in Russia – Russia has intensified its enforcement of laws targeting perceived offensive expression toward religion, religious texts, and religious leaders. The Criminal Code penalizes “insulting the religious feelings of believers,” a vague, undefined standard that constitutes a blasphemy law. Following its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the government hardened its policing of speech. While certain offensive statements and actions may warrant public rebuke, prosecuting perceived offensive expressions regarding religion violates the right to freedom of religion or belief. This report provides an overview of blasphemy law enforcement in Russia and highlights recent cases.
In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State redesignate Russia as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. In 2024, USCIRF released several thematic reports, including on religious sites in armed conflict, misinformation and disinformation, and the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses, that spotlighted Russia’s religious freedom violations.
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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].
Apr 11, 2025
USCIRF Welcomes Nominations to Advance International Religious Freedom and Combat Antisemitism
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes President Donald J. Trump’s nominations of former Congressman Mark Walker as U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom (IRF) and Yehuda Kaploun as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.
“USCIRF is pleased to see the White House has addressed our recommendation to quickly nominate well-qualified individuals for the International Religious Freedom Ambassador and the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism,” said USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “The nominations announced yesterday are important steps in advancing the human right of freedom of religion or belief and confronting the rising tide of antisemitism. USCIRF congratulates both nominees and looks forward to working with their respective offices.”
The Ambassador at Large position was established by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) and is the principal executive branch official working on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) issues. The IRF Ambassador also serves as an ex officio member of USCIRF. The position of Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism has the rank of Ambassador and was established by the U.S. Department of State to comply with the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004. Both positions require Senate confirmation.
“The IRF Ambassador and Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism are vital to representing the ideas for which America stands, as it seeks to advance equality and FoRB around the world,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Meir Soloveichik. “USCIRF calls for a speedy confirmation process to fill these two statutory positions and looks forward to working closely with the new ambassadors upon their confirmation.”
USCIRF published a factsheet in December 2024 on key political appointments within the U.S. government that are most relevant to international religious freedom. USCIRF reiterates its recommendations in the 2025 Annual Report for the Administration to fill open positions including the Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues and the Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues. The Commission also calls for the White House to appoint a Special Advisor for IRF on the National Security Council.
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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.