Mar 15, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2019
USCIRF Statement on New Zealand Mosque Attacks
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attacks on Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Chair Tenzin Dorjee said:
“We express our deepest condolences to those affected by this horrific act of violence that killed 49 Muslim worshippers and injured dozens more,” said Dorjee. “This terrorist attack is all the more heinous because it targeted places of worship during Friday prayers, an important time and practice for Muslim families. At this time of sadness as we mourn the senseless loss of life, we urge all nations to commit to defend and protect freedom of religion and belief, particularly freedom to worship without fear of putting one’s life at risk.”
###
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.
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group: Turkmen
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Sentencing: December/19/2018
Date of Release: December/19/2020
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Conscientious Objection Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Refusing & Absconding Military Service
Eziz Atabayev
Extra Bio Info:
Eziz Atabayev was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.
On December 19, 2018, Atabayev was sentenced to two year in a labor camp for "rejecting call-up to military service" (Art. 219-1 TCC). The date and circumstances of his arrest were unspecified.
On January 15, 2019, Atabayev's appeal was denied.
On December 19, 2020, Atabayev was released.
Publicly Available Information:
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group: Turkmen
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Sentencing: January/18/2021
Date of Release: May/8/2021
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Conscientious Objection Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Refusing & Absconding Military Service
Azamatjan Narkulyev
Extra Bio Info:
Azamatjan Narkulyev was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.
On January 18, 2021, Narkulyev was sentenced to two years in a labor camp for "rejecting call-up to military service" (Art. 219-2 TCC). The date and circumstances of his arrest were unspecified.
On May 8, 2021, Narkulyev was released from prison following a presidential pardon.