FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2018
 

 
WASHINGTON, DC – Citing reports of threats against Cuban advocates calling for stronger constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today called on the government of Cuba to honor its pledge to conduct an inclusive and legitimate constitutional process and to include language that upholds international standards for religious freedom, according to USCIRF Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga. 

“The integrity of this historic process is in serious question if religious leaders are being ignored, then pressured to publicly support a new constitution that fails to protect their rights,” said Vice Chair Arriaga. “We urge the Cuban government to immediately cease all intimidation tactics and to fully consider the proposals put forth by religious organizations to ensure freedom of religion and conscience for Cubans of all faiths or none.”

The initial draft constitution produced by Cuba’s National Assembly was revealed to have omitted several points of protection for religious freedom and the words “freedom of conscience,” which had existed in the prior constitution. Also missing was language protecting religious freedom from Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Cuba signed in 2008.

“The exclusion of these tenets, the vagueness of the new language, and the current legal provisions that limit protection of religious freedom raise great concerns about the Cuban government’s commitment to ensuring this basic human right for its citizens,” said Arriaga. “This is a pivotal point in Cuba’s history when the government has the opportunity to effect real reform through its new constitution.”

Following months of gathering public input on the initial draft of the new constitution, the Constitutional Commission is reviewing proposals for changes and is expected to submit a revised draft constitution to the National Assembly for approval in January. In February 2019, Cubans will vote on the new constitution through a public referendum.

USCIRF has documented the widespread harassment of religious leaders and activists in Cuba, which continues today, in its 2018 Annual Report. USCIRF has also expressed concern that, while the current Cuban constitution guarantees freedom of religion or belief, in practice, this right is limited by other constitutional and legal provisions and the country’s Office of Religious Affairs.
 

 
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
December 11, 2018

USCIRF Welcomes President Trump Signing the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed President Donald Trump signing H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act. This bill promotes accountability for crimes committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and provides for the urgent needs of persecuted religious and ethnic communities such as Christians and Yazidis. USCIRF has recommended that the Congress pass this bill since June 2017.

“I commend President Trump for signing this important bill providing relief and assistance to communities who desperately need our help,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga, who attended the White House luncheon Vice President Pence hosted in honor of victims of religious persecution. “Through this bill we send the message that those responsible for these crimes, including genocide, will not escape justice. I also commend Representatives Chris Smith and Anna Eshoo for their commitment and hard work to craft this legislation and help ensure its passage.”

Present at the White House Oval Office signing ceremony were USCIRF Commissioner Tony Perkins and former Commissioners Elizabeth Prodromou and Nina Shea, who worked jointly and in a bipartisan way on the passage of the legislation.

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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
December 11, 2018
 

New USCIRF Report: Anti-Conversion Laws on the Rise in South Asia

USCIRF Calls on U.S. to Press South Asian Governments to Rescind These Laws
 

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a special report on anti-conversion laws in South Asia. This report examines laws in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, that limit the ability of religious groups to proselytize and the freedom of individuals to convert to a different religion.

“Anti-conversion laws are frequently abused by extremists who seek to prevent anyone from leaving the majority religion,” said USCIRF Commissioner Nadine Maenza. “These laws abrogate the religious freedom rights of minority communities, such as Hindus in Pakistan or Christians in Nepal, and as such they should be rescinded.”

The report finds numerous problems with these laws. For example, in India and Pakistan, vague and discriminatorily enforced anti-conversion and blasphemy laws have contributed to rising numbers of hate crimes and false accusations against members of minority religion groups. Also, despite persistent allegations of coerced conversions by international and domestic religious groups, supporters of these restrictive laws have not presented credible data supporting these claims.

“These laws are a major obstacle to efforts pursuing peace and tolerance among those of different faith as extremist and majority religious groups use these laws as tools to intimidate and prevent religious minorities from exercising their right to freedom of religion and freedom of conscience,” added USCIRF Commissioner Tony Perkins. “These laws also disproportionately affect vulnerable and disfavored groups, such as Dalit Hindus and foreign humanitarian and aid workers.”

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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.