FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2019

USCIRF Urges Congress to Pass Tibetan Policy and Support Act,

Welcomes Recent Measures to Protect Religious Freedom in China

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the recent introduction of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019 (H.R.4331 / S.2539) and urges Congress to swiftly pass it. If enacted, the bill would impose sanctions and a visa ban on any Chinese official who interferes in the selection of a successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In addition, the bill would require the Secretary of State to seek to establish a consulate in Lhasa.

“Without the right to choose their leaders, religious communities in China essentially have no freedom,” said USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer. “This bill sends a strong signal that the United States supports the role of Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders in selecting the next Dalai Lama and views any interference by the Chinese government as a religious freedom violation.”

“USCIRF thanks Senator Rubio and Representative McGovern, as well as the bipartisan group of members of Congress who have already cosponsored the bill, for their leadership in protecting religious freedom in Tibet," added Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee. “I also welcome the recent passage of a resolution by Tibetan representatives at the Third Special General Meeting in India on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's next reincarnation. We have watched with alarm as the Chinese government increases its stranglehold not only over Tibetan Buddhists, but also over Uighur Muslims, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners and other religious communities throughout the country.”

USCIRF also welcomed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision this week to ban the export of certain technological components to 28 Chinese companies and organizations implicated in the mass interment of Uighur Muslims, as well as the U.S. Department of State’s announcement of visa restrictions on Chinese officials responsible for those abuses. In September 2019, USCIRF released a report documenting how the Chinese government uses surveillance cameras, biometric technology and artificial intelligence to monitor and harass Tibetan Buddhists and Uighur Muslims.

In its 2019 Annual Report, USCIRF called upon the administration to use its authority under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and International Religious Freedom Act to enact targeted sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for severe religious freedom violations, especially Chen Quanguo, the current Communist Party Secretary of Xinjiang and former Secretary for Tibet until 2016.

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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 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 Dwight Bashir at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2019

USCIRF Statement on Anniversary of Pastor Andrew Brunson’s Release

WASHINGTON, DC – On October 12, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) marks the one-year anniversary of Pastor Andrew Brunson’s release by Turkish authorities. Pastor Brunson was first detained on false charges on October 7, 2016, and served almost two years in prison before he was transferred to house arrest on July 25, 2018. On October 12, 2018, a Turkish court unjustly convicted Pastor Brunson of providing aid to a terrorist organization and sentenced him to over three years, which the judge counted as time served.

USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins said, “Today, we look back and honor Pastor Brunson’s remarkable resolve and steadfastness in the face of persecution, and we celebrate his release and return home. However, we also remember his terrible suffering at the hands of Turkish authorities who targeted him for the practice of his faith.”

“While Pastor Brunson’s two-year ordeal has thankfully ended, we remain concerned for the state of religious freedom in Turkey, where numerous religious communities, such as the Alevis, Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox, and others continue to face government interference and other restrictions,” said USCIRF Commissioner Kristina Arriaga. “The Turkish government must cease its meddling and work to ensure religious freedom for all its citizens.” 

USCIRF advocated for Pastor Brunson’s release as part of its Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project, for which Commissioner Kristina Arriaga adopted his case. Commissioner Arriaga and former Commissioner Sandra Jolley visited Pastor Brunson in Kırıklar Prison, the first non-family, non-consular delegation to meet with him. Chair Tony Perkins attended the hearing that led to Pastor’s Brunson’s release and accompanied him back to the United States from Turkey. On June 27, 2019, USCIRF held a hearing on the Turkish government’s interference in religious freedom, at which Pastor Brunson testified as a witness.

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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 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 Dwight Bashir at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.