USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Nigeria

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

Nigeria Country Update - This report provides an update on continuing systematic and ongoing restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria. Several states in Nigeria currently enforce blasphemy laws to prosecute members of faith-based groups including Christians, Muslims and secular humanists. The government also continues to tolerate egregious violence against religious groups by non-state actors such as the Islamic State-West Africa Province (ISWAP), JAS/Boko Haram, and other extremist groups. This violence affects large numbers of Christians and Muslims in several states across Nigeria and targets both religious sites and individuals from religious communities.

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in 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 or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]

USCIRF Releases Report on Government Misinformation and Disinformation and Religious Freedom

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

Misinformation and Disinformation: Implications for Freedom of Religion of Belief - This report describes the use of misinformation and disinformation by governments to restrict freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). It notes that misinformation and disinformation by governments can amplify intolerance by individuals who then harass, intimidate, or threaten the targeted groups. It also signals to religious communities that governments will not ensure FoRB, which may stifle religious teaching, practice, worship, and observance. The report presents select examples of government misinformation and disinformation targeting religious minorities in China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia. It urges the U.S. government to develop strategies to counter governments using misinformation and disinformation to encourage or justify restrictions on FoRB.

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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].

USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Afghanistan

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

Afghanistan Country Update - This country update describes current religious freedom conditions under de facto Taliban authorities, including the introduction and enforcement of strict religious edicts. It highlights the manner in which such edicts have severely restricted the religious freedom of all Afghans, including those with different interpretations of Islam, as well as religious minorities such as Ahmadiyya Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, and Shi’a Muslims. It also provides an overview of the role of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in enforcing de facto authorities’ strict interpretation of Islam and Shari’a, including through corporal and capital punishment.

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Afghanistan as a Country of Particular Concern for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations.

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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].