Religious Freedom Eradicated in Afghanistan 

Washington, D.C. – The U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls for renewed protections and pathways for Afghans at high risk of facing religious persecution.  To date, the Taliban have imposed a singular interpretation of Islam to subjugate and target those with different views or religious beliefs.

“In four years, the Taliban have completely eradicated religious freedom in Afghanistan,” said Chair Vicky Hartzler. “All Afghans, including religious minorities, are at severe risk of persecution including corporal punishment and arbitrary detention if forced to return to Afghanistan. The Taliban’s so-called ‘morality law’ further reinforces a draconian system of oppression, eliminating Afghan women’s participation in public and religious life and placing religious minorities at severe risk of harm.” 

With ongoing discussions within the administration to set the numerical ceiling for refugees accepted from abroad through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for the next fiscal year, there is an opportunity for the United States to allocate sufficient spaces for Afghans fleeing religious persecution. To ensure this pathway, USCIRF has called on Congress to pass legislation to create a Priority 2 (P-2) designation for members of religious groups at extreme risk of persecution by the Taliban to allow them to apply for resettlement through USRAP.  While the administration suspended travel to the United States for Afghan nationals in June, there was an exemption made for Special Immigrant Visa holders.

“As the Trump administration works to restructure its refugee policy, USCIRF urges restoration of the Temporary Protective Status (TPS) designation for Afghanistan to protect those who fled religious persecution, especially women, as their fundamental rights are vanishing under the Taliban,” said Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. “By prioritizing vulnerable Afghan religious minorities, the administration and Congress signal their commitment to freedom of religion or belief.”

Earlier this month, USCIRF released a report on the Taliban’s Law on the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Afghanistan as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations. In March, USCIRF held a virtual hearing on Afghanistan, highlighting the collapse of religious freedom. 

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency 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].

Turkmenistan Continues to Violate Religious Freedom

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

Turkmenistan Country Update – This report evaluates religious freedom conditions in Turkmenistan, widely considered one of the world’s most closed-off countries. The report begins with background on the regime of President Sedar Berdimuhamedow and his father and former president, Gurbanguly, who rule through a cult of personality that often impacts the religious sphere. Next, the report lays out the laws restricting religious activity in Turkmenistan and highlights religious freedom violations targeting independent Muslims and minority religious groups. Finally, it analyzes the correlation between corruption and such violations.

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State continue to designate Turkmenistan as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in systematic, egregious, and ongoing violations of religious freedom. In addition, USCIRF recommended the administration lift the existing waiver on penalties as a result of the CPC designation.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency 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].