Jun 23
Jun 23rd 10:30am
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Ten Years after the Arab Spring:
How has Religious Freedom Changed Across the Middle East?
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
10:30 am – 12:00 pm ET
Virtual Event
Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual event examining the long-term impact of the Arab Spring movement on religious freedom across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and assessing U.S. policy options.
Following a series of social and political uprisings that swept through several countries in the MENA region in late 2010 and early 2011, much of the initial optimism for change and greater freedom was overtaken by the reality of the resulting upheavals. In addition, the last decade has seen a proliferation of extremist groups that have used violence to target religious minority communities and individuals based on their religion or belief. Alongside the political disorder and rise in extremism, the discourse has fundamentally evolved, as many governments have incrementally shifted toward more openly discussing religious freedom concerns impacting their communities. The question remains, however, whether that discourse has translated into positive, meaningful change on the ground.
This event will examine these complicated dynamics, assess religious freedom today in comparison to a decade ago, and discuss how the United States government and others can support more wide-ranging and substantive reforms in the region.
Panelists
- Nadine Maenza, Chair, USCIRF
- Anurima Bhargava, Commissioner, USCIRF
- Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF
- Mai El-Sadany, Legal and Judicial Director, Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy
- Philippe Nassif, Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Amnesty International USA
Moderator
- Kurt Werthmuller, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRF
This virtual event is open to the public and media. The video recording will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please contact [email protected].
Jun 4, 2021
For the first time in years, Bahrain was not included in the list of countries that USCIRF recommends for the State Department’s Special Watch List (SWL). The government of Bahrain has made incremental improvements to religious freedom conditions within the country over the past several years—working to enhance the rights of religious communities including Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Baha’is.
Nevertheless, there are some lingering concerns about how Bahrain’s government treats the Shi’a Muslim majority population. USCIRF Supervisory Policy Analyst, Scott Weiner, joins us to expound upon the religious freedom situation in Bahrain.
Click here to read more USCIRF reporting on Bahrain.
Read USCIRF’s 2021 Annual Report for more information on our recommendations for CPC and SWL designation.
Featuring:
Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF
Scott Weiner, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRF
Jun 09
Jun 9th 10:30am
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Jun 9th 12:00pm
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing
Religious Freedom in Nigeria:
Extremism and Government Inaction
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Virtual Hearing
Please join the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual hearing on the escalation of violence by nonstate actors in Nigeria and its potential to exacerbate deteriorating religious freedom conditions.
Insecurity is spreading in Nigeria, with violent attacks against civilians or security forces occurring daily. Among the complex web of armed actors and motivations, extremists in various parts of the country target individuals and communities based on their religious identity. Christian and Muslim communities fear for their lives, risking death, mutilation, and abduction when they worship in public and celebrate significant religious ceremonies.
Amidst this shocking scale of violence, government inaction is pervasive. Impunity for extremists who target religious communities and houses of worship is systemic across much of the country. In some localities, politicians prioritize elite bargains over the safety of religious communities. The federal government’s approach has failed to curb the violence and protect its citizens’ rights to freedom of religion or belief.
How can the U.S. government encourage and support Nigeria in addressing impunity for extremist violence? Witnesses will review violence inflicted on religious communities in Nigeria, explain where the federal government’s efforts to address these violations are falling short, and explore policy options for the U.S. government to help protect religious freedom for Nigerian communities.
Opening Remarks
- Anurima Bhargava, Chair, USCIRF
Written Remarks - Tony Perkins, Vice Chair, USCIRF
Written Remarks
Panel
- Hon. Frank Wolf, Former Representative, Virginia's 10th Congressional District, United States House of Representatives
Written Testimony - Mike Jobbins, Vice President, Global Affairs and Partnerships, Search for Common Ground
Written Testimony - Hafsat Maina Muhammed, Founder, Choice for Peace, Gender, and Development
Written Testimony - Anthony Bature, Catholic Priest; Head of Department, Religious Studies, Federal University, Wukari, Turaba State, Nigeria
Written Testimony - Tomás F. Husted, Analyst in African Affairs, Congressional Research Service
Written Testimony
Submitted for the Record:
A report from an organization operating Christian hospitals for over 50 years in Nigeria
This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. Members of the media should register online and can email [email protected] for any questions or to schedule an interview. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please contact Nina Ullom at [email protected] or (202) 322-0232.