WASHINGTON – In response to the release of the United Nations Refugee Agency’s Global Trends report on worldwide forced displacement, and in observance of June 20^th as World Refugee Day, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Tony Perkins issued the following statement:

“It is unconscionable that over 70 million people – 50% of whom are children – have been forcibly displaced from their homes, many as a result of religious persecution. Six of the countries among the top 10 from which refugees have fled have appeared for years on USCIRF’s lists of the world’s worst religious freedom violators, yet this enormous driver of the global displacement crisis gets precious little attention. 

If the world is to make any headway in reducing this crisis, there must first be broad acknowledgement of the crimes that have been and continue to be committed by governments that seek to deny their citizens the fundamental right to believe and live as their consciences dictate, and by violent non-state actors that seek to impose their religious views on others.  

We call on all governments that honor religious freedom to aggressively pursue policies that incentivize religious tolerance and punish religious persecution in these refugee-producing countries. Only when people of all faiths, and none, can coexist peacefully in countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Burma, Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea will we see an end to today’s escalating displacement.”  

Information about the world’s worst religious freedom violators and recommendations for U.S. policy can be found in USCIRF’s 2019 Annual Report.

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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 or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Kellie Boyle at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554

For Immediate Release
June 18, 2019

USCIRF Encouraged by Appointment of Special Envoy to Sudan, Urges Close Scrutiny of Religious Freedom During Transition

Washington, DC -- In response to an announcement on June 12 by the State Department that retired Ambassador Donald Booth has been appointed as Special Envoy for Sudan, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair ​​​Tony Perkins issued the following statement:

“We are encouraged by the appointment of an experienced diplomat like Ambassador Booth to help support Sudan through this very tumultuous period as it transitions to a civilian-led government. During this fragile time, it is critical that the U.S. government press the Sudanese government to respect the human rights, including religious freedom, of the Sudanese people.”

In its most recent annual report, released in April, USCIRF urged the Administration to appoint a Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan. USCIRF also recommended that Sudan be redesignated as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) for engaging in systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom. The U.S. Department of State has designated Sudan as a CPC since 1999, most recently in November 2018. 

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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 Kellie Boyle at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2019

Tony Perkins Elected Chair of Bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Gayle Manchin and Nadine Maenza Elected Vice Chairs
 

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today elected Tony Perkins as Chair for the 2019-2020 term.  

“Chair Perkins is an effective leader and an experienced advocate for freedom of religion or belief,” said retiring Chair Tenzin Dorjee, noting that Perkins has spoken out on the plight of religious minorities in Iran and of Uighurs in China. He also travelled to Egypt in 2018 where he raised religious freedom concerns with foreign leaders, including King Abdullah II of Jordan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. As part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project, Chair Perkins has adopted Boko Haram-held captive, 16-year-old Nigerian Leah Sharibu, and he was instrumental in securing the freedom of Pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey.

Said Perkins, “I would like to thank my fellow commissioners for entrusting me with the responsibility of guiding this Commission. It is an honor to work with this diverse group of dedicated professionals on such an important issue. I look forward to continuing our efforts to promote the fundamental human right of religious freedom for all people.”

Chair Perkins was first appointed to the Commission on May 14, 2018, by the Honorable Mitch McConnell (R), Senate Majority Leader, for a term expiring in May 2020.

In addition to the position of Chair, the Commission also elected its two Vice Chairs: Vice Chair Gayle Manchin was appointed to the Commission by the Honorable Charles Schumer (D), Senate Minority Leader, on April 19, 2018. Vice Chair Nadine Maenza was appointed to the Commission by President Donald J. Trump on May 15, 2018.

Also serving on the Commission are: Kristina Arriaga, Gary L. Bauer, Anurima Bhargava, Tenzin Dorjee, Andy Khawaja, and Johnnie Moore. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback serves ex officio on the Commission.

Read the full Commissioner bios here.

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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 Kellie Boyle at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.