USCIRF Welcomes the State Department’s Designations of the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom

Hopes to See Strong Action in Response

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today praised the State Department’s announcement that it has named nine “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPCs) for particularly severe religious freedom violations and placed seven countries on its “Special Watch List” (SWL) for severe violations, pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).  

“By calling out the governments that perpetrated or tolerated the most severe religious freedom violations globally in the past year, these designations send a strong signal that the U.S. government will not stand for these abuses. USCIRF is particularly gratified that the State Department recognized the severity of the violations in Nigeria, for which USCIRF has recommended CPC designation for years, and Cuba, a longstanding USCIRF Tier 2 country, by placing them on its Special Watch List for the first time,” said Chair Tony Perkins.  “At the same time, by moving Sudan to the Special Watch List, the designations also show that the United States recognizes the new Sudanese government’s positive steps, about which USCIRF also is optimistic,” added Chair Perkins.

“Now that these designations have been made, the State Department must take strong action in response, as required by IRFA.  We urge the State Department to fully utilize the range of tools available to ensure strong consequences for the most egregious violators, and not rely on waivers or pre-existing sanctions. The CPC-designated countries must know that the United States will not only call them out but also impose costs for violations of this most sacred right,” said Vice Chair Gayle Manchin.

The countries the State Department designated as CPCs are Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, all of which it had previously so designated. USCIRF recommended CPC designation for all nine in its 2019 Annual Report. The countries the State Department placed on the SWL are Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Russia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan. The State Department had previously designated Sudan as a CPC; Cuba, Nicaragua, and Nigeria are new additions to the SWL. In its 2019 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended CPC designation for Nigeria, Russia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan, and placed Cuba on its Tier 2. 

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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].

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2019

USCIRF Welcomes Sanctions Against Iranian “Hanging Judges” Responsible for Severe Religious Freedom Violations

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomed the U.S. Department of Treasury’s imposition of sanctions yesterday on two of Iran’s “Hanging Judges”, Judge Abolghassem Salavati and Judge Mohammed Moghiseh, under Executive Order 13846. Both judges have been responsible for miscarriages of justice and severe violations of religious freedom in Iran. USCIRF has long recommended the sanctioning of both judges.

“Today’s designations hold accountable two notorious judges who have regularly flouted Iran’s own laws by imposing unjust prison sentences and denying due process to religious minorities and those asserting their freedom of religion and belief,” said USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer. “USCIRF applauds these actions and calls on the Treasury Department to impose further targeted sanctions on other Iranian officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom.”

“The judges sanctioned today have targeted religious minorities and denied freedom of religion and belief to women, non-believers, the LGBTI community, and peaceful protesters,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin. “Today’s sanctions send a clear message that the United States will continue to stand up for those who are denied their freedoms guaranteed under international law.”

Abolghassem Salavati presides over Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and Mohammed Moghiseh oversees Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Both judges have routinely held swift trials and imposed harsh sentences—including extreme prison terms and executions—against Iranian religious minorities.

Since 1999, the U.S. Department of State has designated Iran as a “country of particular concern” 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 threats to 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 202-523-3240.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2019
 

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorized for Three Years

WASHINGTON, DC (December 19, 2019)  A bill drafted and shepherded through Congress by Democratic and Republican members reauthorizes the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for an additional three years. Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, which successive U.S. administrations have raised and championed. USCIRF serves a critical role in defending and promoting the universal right to freedom of religion abroad by highlighting severe violations and making policy recommendations to address them to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress.

“We’re grateful for the strong bipartisan support USCIRF received from Congress, especially from the offices of Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), James Risch (R-ID), Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), who were committed to hammering out a consensus bill that enhances USCIRF’s credibility and ensures the continuance of our important work,” said USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins.  “At a time when freedom of religion is under assault worldwide, it’s encouraging that we all value the fundamental human right of allowing everyone, everywhere, to follow his or her conscience.”

USCIRF, which was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, is comprised of nine commissioners from both political parties, appointed by the President and the leadership of both the House and Senate, and a professional, non-partisan staff of 18. Under the new legislation, the agency will be reauthorized until September 30, 2022. Both the House and Senate have passed the bill, which now awaits the president’s signature.

“We’d also like to thank the NGO community and the International Religious Freedom Roundtable participants for supporting our reauthorization,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin. “Together, we will continue to raise awareness of the violators and victims of systematic, ongoing and egregious religious freedom violations around the globe and pressing for effective U.S. government action.”  

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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 threats to 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 202-523-3240.