May 6, 2021
Since 1979 Iran’s government has shown a consistent disregard for the rights of religious minority communities who run afoul of the government’s narrow interpretation of Shi’a Islam. Even the majority Shi’a Muslim population must adhere to the government’s religious doctrine of Leadership of the Jurist (vilayt e-faqih). Those with alternative or differing opinions have suffered harassment, surveillance, arrest, imprisonment, and even a death sentence for blasphemy, insulting religious sanctities, or identifying as gay.
On top of its severe violations, Iran is approaching several key political junctures. The country’s leadership recently began engagement with the Biden administration over its nuclear program. It’s also set to hold presidential elections next month on June 18th. The government of Iran continues to deal with sustained widespread protests over a host of political and social issues that have been ongoing since December 2017.
USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer joins us to discuss why we have recommended Iran be designated a Country of Particular Concern.
Featuring:
Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF
Gary Bauer, Commissioner, USCIRF
May 5, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report on Violent Islamist Groups in the Central Sahel
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom violations committed by violent Islamist groups in the central Sahel region of west Africa:
Central Sahel Factsheet – Over the past half decade, violent Islamist groups have gained ground in the central Sahel region of west Africa by controlling territory and conducting attacks in the tri-border region between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Both Islamic State and al-Qaeda affiliated armed groups are responsible for grave violations of international religious freedom in their areas of control, including executing individuals based on their beliefs and imposing a strict interpretation of Shari’a (Islamic law) on Sahelian citizens. This factsheet documents religious freedom violations committed by select militant Islamist groups such as Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS) and Katiba Macina in the central Sahel, as well as challenges facing efforts to counter these groups.
In its 2021 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate ISGS and Katiba Macina’s parent organization Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin' (JNIM) as “entities of particular concern,” or EPCs, under the International Religious Freedom Act for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom in areas under their control. USCIRF also released a factsheet on Attacks on Houses of Worship and Religious Leaders in Burkina Faso in October 2020.
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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].
May 4, 2021
USCIRF Welcomes President Biden’s Announcement to Raise the Refugee Ceiling
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes President Joseph R. Biden’s announcement raising the numerical ceiling for refugees accepted from abroad through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to 62,500 for the current fiscal year, which runs until October 1, 2021. According to the announcement, the new admissions cap will also reinforce efforts that are already underway to expand the United States’ capacity to admit refugees to reach the goal of 125,000 refugee admissions for the coming fiscal year.
The International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) requires that religious persecution should be considered in determining the refugee ceiling.
“Yesterday’s necessary increase in the refugee ceiling supports the dignity and human rights of the unprecedented number of people worldwide who have been forcibly displaced by religious conflict or persecution,” said USCIRF Chair Anurima Bhargava. “Providing a safe haven for more of these refugees this year protects religious freedom and is consistent with American values.”
Since the USRAP began in 1980, the maximum number of refugees accepted into the United States has averaged 95,000 per year. Until yesterday’s announcement, the refugee ceiling for the current fiscal year was 15,000, a historic low.
“USCIRF has continuously urged an increase in refugee admissions, and we welcome the administration’s action to do so this fiscal year and commitment to a further increase next year. We also urge the administration to prioritize the most vulnerable refugees, which includes survivors of the most egregious forms of religious persecution,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins. “Raising the ceiling with a focus on refugees fleeing religious persecution bolsters the Biden administration’s commitment to international religious freedom.”
USCIRF recommended in its 2021 Annual Report that the U.S. government return the annual ceiling for the USRAP to the previously-typical 95,000. USCIRF held a hearing on “Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution” in February that examined ways in which the U.S. government could better support refugees and asylum seekers.
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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].