FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 26, 2007

Contact:
Judith Ingram, Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240

WASHINGTON-WASHINGTON-A delegation from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom concluded its visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday and is scheduled to complete its talks in Vietnam over the next week. The delegation, led by Commission Chair Michael Cromartie, has held candid discussions with many government, religious, and civil society leaders, including Prime Minister Nguyen Tang Dung, Vice Minister for Public Security Nguyen Van Huong, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, National Assembly Foreign Relations Chairman Nguyen Van Son, Committee for Religious Affairs Chairman Nguyen The Doanh, and Ho Chi Minh City People's Council Chair Pham Phuong Thao.

Although it is not the Commission's usual practice to issue press statements during its trips, the Vietnamese media have extensively covered Commission activities, including publishing an extensive transcript of the Commission's meeting with Vice Minister for Public Security Huong.

Commissioners asked Vice Minister Huong to undertake full, impartial, and effective investigations into reported police abuses, including continued reports of forced renunciations of religion. The Vice Minister assured the Commission that he would take action against any police official engaged in forced renunciations of belief. He also promised to report back to the Commission about the March 2007 beating death of an ethnic minority Protestant.

The Commission urged the immediate release of several prisoners of concern, including Nguyen Van Dai, and Li Thi Cong Nhan, advocates for religious freedom and legal reform in Vietnam; Hoa Hao monks Vo Van Thanh Liem and Vo Van Thanh Long; and Fr. Nguyen Van Ly. Commissioners also asked to meet with Nguyen Van Dai and Li Thi Cong Nhan because of reports that they were being denied medicine and religious materials. Vice Minister Huong arranged for the Commission to meet privately with the two human rights defenders and to inspect their prison cells.

"These are two courageous young people who the government believes are national security threats," said Michael Cromartie, Chair of the Commission. "We believe their peaceful advocacy for political reform, religious freedom, and human rights strengthens, rather than threatens, the Vietnamese state. We will continue to seek their immediate release."

Vice Minister Huong promised the Commission that an overdue appeals court hearing for the two prisoners would happen soon. "We are confident," said Cromartie, "that the sentences of Nguyen Van Dai and Li Thi Cong Nhan will be overturned on appeal."

The Commission also continued to raise the issue of restrictions and abuses against Vietnamese Buddhists. Commissioners asked Prime Minister Dung to allow followers of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, as well as Khmer, and Hoa Hao Buddhists to organize independently and carry out spiritual and charitable activities legally and outside the government-sanctioned Buddhist organizations. Commissioners pointed out that the Vietnamese government has allowed different Protestant denominations to carry out legal operations; the government should recognize similar diversity among Buddhists, Commissioners said.

Asked if he was willing to meet with the UBCV leadership to discuss creation of an independent organization, Prime Minister Dung indicated that he was willing to "meet with any religious leader" to discuss alleged problems and concerns.

The Commission later met with the UBCV's spiritual leader Thich Quang Do in Ho Chi Minh City, where he accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to meet, saying that he looked forward to discussing ongoing threats and restrictions against the UBCV.

The Commission delegation will continue to Hue, the Central Highlands, and Soc Trang Province over the next week. "Government officials have said that we can go anywhere and meet anyone," said Cromartie. "We look forward to continued access and trust that there will be no reprisals against those we meet."

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 25, 2007

Contact:
Judith Ingram, Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240, ext. 127

WASHINGTON-Joseph R. Crapa, the Executive Director of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, died Thursday after a struggle with cancer. Mr. Crapa, 63, had led the Commission since 2002.

"Joe had sharp political instincts but a soft personal touch," said Michael Cromartie, current Chair of the Commission. "He had an unwavering, principled commitment to advancing the work of this bipartisan Commission in protecting religious freedom worldwide. Everyone who knew and worked with Joe found him to be a remarkably committed public servant."

"We have lost a uniquely talented leader, trusted counselor and beloved friend to each of the Commissioners," said Commission Vice Chair Preeta D. Bansal, who served as Commission Chair in 2004-2005. "I respected tremendously his commitment to the substance of our work and his appreciation for the critical issues at the juncture of religion and foreign policy at this unique period in our history. His sharp political and human instincts and his deep love for humanity were crucial to our work in this sensitive arena. We loved him and will miss him dearly."

"It was an honor to serve on the Search Committee that recommended Joe Crapa to be the Executive Director of the Commission," said Vice Chair Richard D. Land. "As a Republican appointee, I was most happy to enthusiastically endorse and commend this faithful Democrat who loved America and loved the freedom for which it stands. He was a tireless proponent of religious freedom around the world and was instrumental in making the Commission an extremely effective voice for religious freedom. It was an honor and a privilege to have known him and served with him. All of us who knew him will miss him."

"Joe Crapa took a newly established Commission, at a crucial time in U.S. history, and, during his tenure, turned it into a respected voice on post-9/11 foreign policy and a source of new research and insights into the influence of religious freedom and related human rights on world affairs," said Felice D. Gaer, Chair of the Commission in 2002-2003, when Mr. Crapa joined USCIRF, and in 2006-2007.

"Joe's great love of people and respect for religion transcended all differences. With ebullience and panache, he effectively directed the Commission through a transformative period when the salience of the universal and inalienable right of religious freedom has been demonstrated daily by world events," said Nina Shea, who has served as a Commissioner since USCIRF's founding in 1999. "He will always be an inspiration for me and those who had the privilege of working with him."

Prior to coming to the Commission, Mr. Crapa served as Chief of Staff to Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY). Mr. Crapa spent the four prior years as Assistant Administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development. He also served as Assistant Secretary at the Department of Agriculture and Associate Administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency, where his portfolio included Congressional Relations and Public Affairs.

For 10 years, Mr. Crapa served as Chief of Staff to Rep. David Obey (D-WI), currently the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and also as counsel to the House Appropriations Committee. He was an Adjunct Professor of Government at Georgetown University (1990-1995) and was a Stennis Fellow of Congress (1995-1997). He also was a Lecturer for the Washington Campus, a consortium of universities where he lectured on Congress and the policy process.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Crapa graduated from Cathedral College Preparatory Seminary. He received a B.A. from St. John's University, an M.A. from Duke University, and a Ph.D. at the University of Arizona, where he was a National Defense Teaching Fellow.

The Commission extends its most sincere condolences to Mr. Crapa's wife Barbara, son Judd, daughter-in-law Gretchen, grandsons Sebastian and Baird, and his extended family.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 19, 2007

Contact:
Judith Ingram, Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240 

WASHINGTON-A delegation of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is traveling to Vietnam on Oct. 21-Nov. 2 to discuss current conditions for freedom of religion and related human rights. The delegation, led by Commission Chair Michael Cromartie, is scheduled to visit Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue and the Central Highlands.

"Religious freedom and related human rights are critical issues to address directly and openly in what is a growing U.S.-Vietnamese relationship," Cromartie said. "We plan to hold discussions with high-ranking government officials, religious leaders, and other knowledgeable Vietnamese citizens to explore ways to further expand the internationally guaranteed freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief in Vietnam."

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal commission, consisting of nine private citizens, that advises the President, Secretary of State, and Congress on how to promote religious freedom and associated rights around the world. It was created by the U.S. Congress in the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA). Among other responsibilities, the Commission issues annual recommendations on which countries the United States should name Countries of Particular Concern because of systematic and egregious violations of religious freedom. It also compiles a Watch List of countries that require close monitoring due to serious violations.

Vietnam was on the State Department's list of Countries of Particular Concern from 2004 until 2006. The Commission has recommended that Vietnam be on the CPC list since 2003.

In order to make its annual CPC and Watch List recommendations, the Commission assesses religious freedom conditions first hand. In the past, USCIRF has sent official delegations to Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, France, Egypt, Eritrea, Laos, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This will be the Commission's second trip to Vietnam, following a delegation visit in 2002.

For more information on the Commission's views on the situation in Vietnam and its policy recommendations, see the 2007 Annual Report chapter on Vietnam on the Commission Web site.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.