Feb 4, 2020

James W. Carr Appointed to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

WASHINGTON, DC (February 4, 2020) – House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) yesterday announced the appointment of Dr. James W. Carr of Searcy, Arkansas to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

“USCIRF welcomes the appointment of Dr. Carr to this bipartisan commission,” said Chair Tony Perkins. “We’re looking forward to adding his academic perspective and rigorous research-based analyses to our advocacy efforts for freedom of religion or belief.” 

Carr is currently President and Chairman of Highland Home Holdings, a Dallas-based investment fund. Before his retirement in 2019, he served as Executive Vice President and Professor of Business of Harding University for 25 years. In 2015, he was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he now serves as Chairman.  Carr has also served on the board of directors of World Christian Broadcasting since 1993.  

In 2006, Carr was nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a position on the National Security Education Board, where he served until 2011.

“With the appointment of Dr. Carr, USCIRF now has a full complement of nine Commissioners. We look forward to working together to unearth solutions to the many challenging religious freedom concerns around the globe,” said Vice Chair Gayle Manchin. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives.  

Carr currently serves on the executive board of the Quapaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America, on the board of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, and on the Business Board of First Community Bank. Previously, he served as a Regional Director at the American College Testing Program (ACT) and in various administrative positions at Florida State University.

Carr received his PhD from Florida State University and has consulted with hundreds of colleges and universities in the area of institutional marketing.

###

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.

 

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: China

Religion or Belief: Christian – Church of Almighty God

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 12 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/22/2018

Date of Sentencing: September/10/2019

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Cult

Xiang Caihua

Extra Bio Info:

Xiang Caihua is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

On June 22, 2018, officers from Kuitun City Public Security Bureau in Xinjiang detained Xiang reportedly in relation to her religious beliefs and religious leadership role in charge of churches in the Kuitan area. 

On September 10, 2019, the Kuitun People’s Court in Xinjiang sentenced Xiang to 12 years in prison and fined her 50,000 yuan for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL).

Publicly Available Information:

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: China

Ethnic Group: Han

Religion or Belief: Christian – Church of Almighty God

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 12 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November//2018

Date of Sentencing: September/4/2019

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Cult

Ouyang Qiuping

Extra Bio Info:

Ouyang Qiuping is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

In November 2018, officers from the Yining Public Security Bureau in Xinjiang arrested Ouyang reportedly in relation to her religious activity. 

On September 4, 2019, the Kuitun People’s Court in Xinjiang sentenced her to 12 years in prison and fined 50,000 yuan for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). The court reportedly imposed a harsh sentence for being a "recidivist" after getting arrested for the same crime within five years of her release. 

Ouyang was previously imprisoned for her religious belief and activity. 

On December 20, 2012, officers from the Bole City Police Station in Xinjiang detained Ouyang while at a worship gathering. Police reportedly tortured Ouyang during interrogation. 

On October 28, 2013, the Intermediate People’s Court in Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture sentenced Ouyang to three years and six months in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). She was sent to Xinjiang Women’s Prison to serve her sentence. 

On June 19, 2016, Ouyang was released from prison.

Publicly Available Information:
Subscribe to