USCIRF Welcomes the Acquittal of Rhoda Jatau

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds the December 19 decision of a court in Bauchi State, Nigeria, to acquit Christian nurse Rhoda Jatau. On May 20, 2022, officials arrested her on allegations of blasphemy after she reportedly shared a message on social media condemning the murder of Christian student Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu.

“USCIRF welcomes the full acquittal of Rhoda Jatau, although she should never have been subjected to this prosecution in the first place. The government detained her for well over a year for simply expressing her opinion,” said USCIRF Commissioner Maureen Ferguson.

"Criminal blasphemy laws represent a grave threat to religious freedom and should be repealed wherever they exist, including in Nigeria. All Nigerians should have the right to express their religious beliefs or their lack of belief without fear of arrest or persecution,” said USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi.

Five other Nigerians remain imprisoned on blasphemy charges including humanist Mubarak Bala, and Muslims Yahaya Sharif–Aminu, Isma’ila Sani Isah, Sheikh Abduljabar Nasiru Kabara, and Abdulazeez Inyass. In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

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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].

USCIRF Welcomes Senator Schumer’s Appointment of Ariela Dubler to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Washington, DC – Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced on December 20, 2024 the appointment of Ariela Dubler to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

“We enthusiastically welcome Ariela Dubler’s appointment to the Commission,” stated USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “Her work in education and her expertise on issues of law and religion will enhance our efforts to understand the myriad ways that violations of freedom of religion or belief impact vulnerable individuals and communities abroad.”

Ariela Dubler serves as the Head of School of the Heschel School, a pluralistic Jewish day school in New York City. Previously, she was the George Welwood Murray Professor of Legal History at Columbia University Law School, where she taught Constitutional law, family law, and legal history.  She also serves on multiple school boards and supports the Jewish community within the academy as a board member for the Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale.

“Ariela Dubler’s wealth of knowledge on legal issues and her passion for supporting the ability of members of the Jewish community to live out their faith in their daily lives will be an asset to USCIRF’s work to enhance the U.S. government’s promotion of religious freedom for all through U.S. foreign policy,” USCIRF Vice Chair Eric Ueland added.

USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by either the President or Congressional leaders of each political party in the Senate and House of Representatives.

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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].

USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Key International Religious Freedom Appointments for the Incoming Donald J. Trump Administration  

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report: 

Key IRF-Related Positions – This factsheet provides an overview of the key political appointments within the U.S. government that are most relevant to international religious freedom (IRF). The primary IRF positions that the president appoints derive from the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA): the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom at the U.S. Department of State; the Special Adviser for International Religious Freedom on the National Security Council (NSC) staff; and three of USCIRF’s nine Commissioners. In addition, several current State Department special envoy and representative positions—created either by acts of Congress or by presidents or secretaries of state—are relevant to IRF promotion. Those positions include the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, the Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues, and the Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues. 

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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 or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].