USCIRF Releases New Report on Burma

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

Pursuing Justice and Accountability: Next Steps for the Rohingya Community of Burma – On March 21, 2022, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced the Biden Administration had determined that the atrocities committed by the Burmese military, known as the Tatmadaw, against the Rohingya community constitute genocide and crimes against humanity. This factsheet provides an overview of the international crimes committed by the Tatmadaw underlying this designation. It also explores the three ongoing international legal cases seeking justice for the Rohingya and highlights actions the U.S. government has taken to support these cases. While this determination acknowledges the gravity of the crimes committed against the Rohingya community and affirms their human rights and dignity, it must be followed by increased action to promote justice and accountability. To this aim, this factsheet reiterates USCIRF’s recommendations from its 2022 Annual Report on how the U.S. government can further support justice for Rohingya survivors and ensure that the genocide determination paves the way toward meaningful accountability.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has monitored religious freedom conditions in Burma since 1999, when it first recommended that the country be designated by the U.S. Department of State as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). In its 2022 Annual Report, USCIRF again recommended Burma continue to be designated as a CPC. In May and July 2021, USCIRF held two hearings on ending genocide which touched upon the conditions of Rohingya in Burma and explored opportunities to hold the Tatmadaw accountable for the atrocities committed against Rohingya. USCIRF has also highlighted the situation for the Rohingya community in Burma on an episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast immediately following genocide determination.

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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 New Report on Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution

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

Global Overview of Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution –This factsheet highlights the global scale of religious persecution by providing an overview of contexts where large populations have been displaced due to persecution or violence based on religion or belief, including in Afghanistan, Burma, the Central African Republic (CAR), China, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Syria, Ukraine, and Vietnam. It also provides an overview of U.S. policy related to these refugee populations, highlighting the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) as a critical pathway for refugees seeking safety in the United States and the U.S. government’s treatment of asylum seekers in expedited removal. Additionally, the factsheet reiterates USCIRF’s recommendations to the U.S. government to further support refugees, including those who have fled religious persecution.

USCIRF monitors the conditions of refugees who have fled severe violations of religious freedom and the U.S. government’s policy responses. As part of this work, USCIRF hosted a hearing in February 2021 on “Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution” and a February 2022 event “USCIRF Conversation on the Global Refugee Compact”. USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report details religious freedom conditions in the countries where religious persecution has driven displacement, including those discussed in this report.

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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].