May 07
May 7th 10:00am
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May 7th 11:00am
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing
Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions in India
Thursday, May 7, 2026
10:00 am – 11:30 am ET
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 106
Hearing Transcript
Hearing Summary
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held an in-person hearing on religious freedom conditions in India.
In 2026, religious freedom in the country remains on a downward trajectory, with the government tolerating particularly severe religious freedom violations. Religious minority communities, including Christians and Muslims, as well as Dalits, continue to be the target of violent attacks and harassment. Several states have strengthened or introduced new anti-conversion laws, imposing harsh penalties for those deemed to have engaged in religious conversions. The government also continues to wield anti-terrorism and citizenship laws to arbitrarily detain religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf.
Witnesses addressed the continued persecution of religious minorities in India including Christians, Muslims, and Sikhs. They examined the increasing role of transnational repression to target religious minorities beyond India’s borders.
Opening Remarks
- Vicky Hartzler, Chair, USCIRF
- Asif Mahmood, Vice Chair, USCIRF
Written Remarks
Congressional Remarks
- Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Written Statement
Panel
- Stephen J. Rapp, Former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice and former International Prosecutor at the Tribunals for Rwanda and Sierra Leone
Written Testimony - Angana Chatterji, Scholar, University of California, Berkeley
Written Testimony - Raqib Naik, Founder and Executive Director of Center for the Study of Organized Hate
Written Testimony - Arjun Sethi, Professor at Georgetown University Law Center
Written Testimony - David Curry, President, David Curry and Associates
Written Testimony
Submitted for the Record
- Anonymous Christian Pastor
Written Statement - International Christian Rescue Mission
Written Statement - Sikh Coalition
Written Statement - Indian American Muslim Council
Written Statement - Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) America
Written Statement
This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].
Apr 17, 2026
In Central Asia, independent media plays an essential role in shedding light on freedom of religion of belief (FoRB) violations. As a result, Central Asian governments attempt to silence independent journalists and bloggers to conceal their FoRB abuses. Such intimidation campaigns often include harassment, the closure of independent outlets, baseless prison sentences, and more. However, Central Asian reporters in the diaspora and other foreign journalists have long filled in these reporting gaps, contributing to the efforts of human rights defenders who promote FoRB.
On this episode of the USCIRF Spotlight podcast, Vice Chair Asif Mahmood speaks with Felix Corley, editor of Forum-18 News Service, and Bruce Pannier, a research fellow at the Turan Research Center with over 25 years of experience covering Central Asia in different capacities. Together, they discuss the importance of independent journalism in promoting FoRB in Central Asia.
May 05
May 5th 10:00am
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May 5th 11:30am
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing
Rising Anti-Muslim Hatred: FoRB Violations Against Muslims Abroad
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM ET
Virtual
Hearing Transcript
Hearing Summary
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing on anti-Muslim hatred and freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) violations against Muslims abroad.
Muslim communities around the world are facing numerous legal restrictions on the right to practice their faith freely. In recent years, Muslims have experienced a rise in threats, especially where foreign governments have tolerated or perpetrated violence against Muslims or enabled environments that endanger Muslim communities. Also, Muslims have faced religious freedom violations, such as harassment, imprisonment, and death, for deviating from the state’s preferred religious interpretation, even in Muslim majority countries.
Witnesses addressed the scope of challenges facing Muslims abroad, spoke to personal stories of anti-Muslim hatred and religious freedom restrictions contributing to the rise in threats, and identified policy recommendations by which U.S. policy can advance international religious freedom and the protection of FoRB for Muslims.
Opening Remarks
- Vicky Hartzler, USCIRF Chair
- Asif Mahmood, USCIRF Vice Chair
Written Remarks
Congressional Remarks
- Rep. French Hill (R-AR)
Recorded Remarks
Panel
- Farid Hafez, Senior Research Fellow, The Bridge Initiative, Georgetown University; Associate Teaching Professor of International Relations, College of William & Mary
Written Testimony - Abdassamad El Yazidi, Chairman, Central Council of Muslims in Germany
Written Testimony - Jewher Ilham, Forced Labor Project Manager, Worker Rights Consortium
Written Testimony - M. Arsalan Suleman, Partner, International Litigation & Arbitration, Foley Hoag LLP
Written Testimony - Tariq Jamil, Islamic Scholar
Written Testimony
This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].