Aug 21, 2020
USCIRF Calls for Action on UN International Day Commemorating the
Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recognizes the United Nations’ second annual International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief ahead of August 22, the official remembrance date.
“Commemorating the many victims of violence based on religion or belief is critical, but only the first step,” says USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin, “The international community must work together to achieve justice for the survivors of past abuses by holding perpetrators accountable, and demonstrating to governments that action must be taken to ‘never again’ tolerate genocide or other atrocities.”
The commemoration day was adopted by consensus on May 13, 2019 in order to condemn continuing violence and acts of terrorism targeting individuals, including persons belonging to religious minorities, on the basis of or in the name of religion or belief.
“In order to properly recognize this day, we must shed light on the continuing attacks by states and non-state actors on religious groups all over the world,” stated USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins. “This includes the genocide of Yazidis, Christians, and Shi’a Muslims in Iraq and Syria by ISIS, abuses against Uyghurs in China, and mass atrocities against Rohingya Muslims and Christians in Burma.”
On August 27, USCIRF will be hosting a conversation with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide to discuss conditions for Rohingya Muslims in Burma and in refugee camps in Bangladesh, as well as the pending international lawsuits against the Burmese government.
USCIRF’s 2020 Annual Report documents acts of violence based on religion or belief that amount to mass atrocities and other violations of religious freedom occurring around the globe.
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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 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 Danielle Ashbahian at [email protected].
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Religion or Belief: Falun Gong
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November//2018
Date of Sentencing: December//2019
Current Status: Unknown
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Cult
Shang Zhaoxiang
Extra Bio Info:
Shang Zhaoxiang was imprisoned for his religious activity.
In November 2018, authorities arrested Shang reportedly in relation to his practice of Falun Gong.
In December 2019, the Dongying District Court sentenced Shang to three years in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). He was also fined 10,000 yuan.
In April 2020, the Dongying City Intermediate Court rejected Shang's appeal.
Shang's sentence should have ended in November 2021.
Publicly Available Information:
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Religion or Belief: Falun Gong
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 4 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November//2018
Date of Sentencing: December//2019
Current Status: Unknown
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Cult
Gao Hongwei
Extra Bio Info:
Gao Hongwei was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
In November 2018, authorities arrested Gao reportedly in relation to his practice of Falun Gong.
In December 2019, the Dongying District Court sentenced Gao to four years in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). He was also fined 20,000 yuan.
In April 2020, the Dongying City Intermediate Court rejected Gao's appeal.
Gao's sentence should have ended in November 2022.