FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2018

USCIRF Presses for Targeted Sanctions for Atrocities Committed Against Burma’s Rohingya Muslims and Other Religious and Ethnic Communities

Call comes days before anniversary of the signing of the UN Genocide Convention

WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today called on the U.S. government and the international community to pursue strong policy responses, including the continued use of targeted sanctions, to hold accountable members of Burma’s military, security forces, and some nonstate actors for severe human rights and religious freedom violations against Burma’s Rohingya Muslims and other religious and ethnic communities. These abuses against Rohingya and others, including Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians, as well as ethnic Kachin, Shan, Karen, have been committed, and in some cases continue to be committed, for decades, largely with impunity.

“Rohingya Muslims and other religious and ethnic groups have suffered terribly at the hands of Burma’s military and security forces, with some calling the abuses ‘ethnic cleansing,’ ‘crimes against humanity,’ or even ‘genocide’,” said Chair Tenzin Dorjee. “And yet those responsible for these abuses have largely escaped accountability for their actions. The U.S. government and other international actors have various tools at their disposal, among them targeted sanctions, that they can and should continue to use to bring justice to the perpetrators. We must send the message that horrific abuses like these will not be tolerated and will not go unanswered.”

In September, a United Nations-commissioned fact-finding mission tasked with investigating the situation in Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan States, issued a report concluding that Burma’s top military leaders should be investigated and prosecuted for genocide, noting circumstances suggesting their “genocidal intent.”

Based on its travel to Burma and Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and regular reporting—such as the 2018 Annual Report—USCIRF has called on the State Department to redesignate Burma as a “country of particular concern” and to continue to impose targeted sanctions, such as visa bans and asset freezes, on specific abusers in the Burmese military and among nonstate actors. Also, USCIRF recently warned that conditions are not yet safe for Rohingya Muslim refugees currently residing in Bangladesh to return to Burma and urges the parties involved to facilitate a process for refugees and internally displaced persons from all religious and ethnic communities that is voluntary and dignified.

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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
November 30, 2018

USCIRF Statement on Release of New Policy Update on Religious Freedom in North Korea

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) yesterday released a policy update on religious freedom and related human rights in North Korea, where the regime’s approach toward freedom of religion or belief is among the most repressive in the world. Just this week, North Korea lashed out at the United States for requesting that the United Nations (UN) Security Council meet to discuss the regime’s deplorable human rights record. The December meeting would occur the same month as the UN’s anticipated approval of a resolution condemning North Korea’s human rights violations.

USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee said, “At a time when the United States and other powers are closely engaging North Korean leaders on denuclearization and other security issues, it is imperative to put a spotlight on the egregious abuses of fundamental human rights, including religious freedom, perpetrated by the Kim Jong-un regime. Although the human rights situation there remains atrocious, recent diplomatic overtures and engagement suggest North Korea’s leaders may be willing to listen. Even as we seek to enhance regional stability and the safety of our allies, we must persist in raising religious freedom and human rights concerns as the enjoyment of these are essential for true progress and long-term stability.”

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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
November 29, 2018

USCIRF Applauds Passage of H.R. 390 by Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today applauded the U.S. Congress’s unanimous vote to approve H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act, which was introduced in 2017 by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA). This bill promotes accountability for crimes committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and provides for the urgent humanitarian and stabilization needs of persecuted religious and ethnic communities. Since June 2017, USCIRF has recommended that the Senate pass H.R. 390.

“I enthusiastically commend the U.S. Congress for taking this important step in support of those communities who have been the targets of genocide in Iraq and Syria,” said USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee. “When I visited Iraq with Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga in March, we witnessed firsthand the immense suffering of Yazidis, Christians, and other religious minorities and listened to their stories of egregious violations of their fundamental rights. These communities desperately need all the help they can get to reconstruct their lives. This bill supports them and also ensures that those responsible for these horrible crimes face some measure of justice.”

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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.