Justice and Accountability Still Lacking Eight Years After the Rohingya Genocide

Washington, DC – Today marks eight years since the Tatmadaw’s brutal military campaign against Rohingya Muslims that killed tens of thousands and displaced over one million. The intent by the Burmese Military Junta to completely eradicate Rohingya Muslims led the U.S. to the genocide designation. These atrocities against the Rohingya continue today, and there is no end in sight to the violence.

“Today we remember the countless lives that the Burmese military destroyed merely because of their religion. We cannot ignore these appalling crimes against humanity,” said Chair Vicky Hartzler. “USCIRF calls for justice and accountability against the Burmese military and government officials who perpetrated these horrific crimes.”  

USCIRF’s February 2025 hearing on Burma highlighted the humanitarian crisis that continues to impact Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and elsewhere. These displaced people face extreme hardships, residing in overcrowded shelters that provide minimal defense against natural disasters. They are at constant risk of illness and malnutrition due to limited access to clean water, sanitation, and medical care. The endemic shortfalls in humanitarian support further expose them to exploitation, human trafficking, and the denial of fundamental rights.

“We are also concerned about the tens of thousands who the Burmese military continues to hold in open-air detention camps in Rakhine state,” said Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. “The time is now for the Trump Administration to call for an end to the oppression and ongoing brutality that the Rohingya and other religious minorities are facing in Burma.”

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the State Department designate Burma as a “Country of Particular Concern” for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. 

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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].

Saudi Arabia Undermines U.S. Bilateral Relationship with Execution of Shi’a Advocate

Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns Saudi Arabia’s execution of Jalal Labbad, a Shi’a Muslim from Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, part of a disturbing escalation in executions that violate international law, including religious freedom protections. Authorities arrested and tortured Labbad in relation to his participation in 2011 and 2012 protests against the Saudi government’s treatment of Shi'a citizens in al-Qatif. 

“The unjust execution of a young man, Jalal Labbad, for advocating for the religious freedom of Shi’a Saudis is a horrendous violation of human rights and undermines the progress Saudi Arabia claims as a basis for stronger ties with the United States,” said USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler. “Labbad’s execution is all the more appalling after President Trump traveled to Saudi Arabia in May and invited Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit Washington this fall; the U.S. government should not let the Saudi government whitewash religious freedom violations through its Vision 2030.”

Following protests in 2011 in the Eastern Province by Shi’a Saudis seeking greater religious freedom and other rights, Saudi authorities arrested and executed hundreds of Shi’a Muslims. At least one, Mustafa Darwish, was a minor during the protests. Others have been sentenced to death on similar grounds including Youssef al-Manasif and Abdullah al-Derazi despite being minors when their crimes are alleged to have occurred. In March 2022, Saudi authorities executed 41 Shi’a Muslims on charges including “deviant beliefs” for peacefully protesting FoRB conditions. 

“Saudi Arabia continues to violate international law through the execution of religious minorities, prolonged detention of FoRB prisoners, and transnational repression of religious dissidents,” said USCIRF Commissioner Steven Schneck. “It is imperative that the U.S. government raise these serious religious freedom violations in all bilaterial interactions and negotiations with Saudi government officials, including a call for commuting the imminent death sentences against Youssef al-Manasif and Abdullah al-Derazi.”

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. State Department designate Saudi Arabia as a “Country of Particular Concern,” for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. USCIRF’s 2024 Country Update on Saudi Arabia evaluates the systematic and ongoing discrimination against Shi’a Muslims.

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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].