FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2018

USCIRF Statement on New Restrictions by Vietnamese Government on Religious Leader Patriarch Thích Quảng Độ

WASHINGTON, DC — United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga today called on the government of Vietnam to respect the freedom of movement and religious freedom of Patriarch Thích Quảng Độ, the leader of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV). According to reports, although the Patriarch now has chosen to reside at Từ Hiếu Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnamese authorities are trying to return Thích Quảng Độ to his home province of Thái Bình, likely in an attempt to isolate him from fellow UBCV members.

“For more than three decades Vietnamese authorities have victimized Patriarch Thích Quảng Độ for his religious identity and human rights advocacy, and they are still not letting up,” said Vice Chair Arriaga. “I urge the government of Vietnam to respect his freedom of movement and freedom to reside wherever he chooses.”

Vice Chair Arriaga advocates for Thích Quảng Độ as part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project. Arriaga also issued a statement on Thích Quảng Độ last month.

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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 28, 2018

USCIRF Calls for Release of Iranian Prisoner of Conscience Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee

USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin calls for Iraee’s release on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

WASHINGTON, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Vice Chair Gayle Manchin on Sunday again called on the government of Iran to release Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, for whom Vice Chair Manchin advocates as part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.

Iraee is an Iranian author and human rights advocate who wrote pieces and Facebook posts discussing political prisoners and criticizing the official policy of stoning women for adultery. Following a conviction on charges of “insulting Islamic sanctities” and “spreading propaganda,” she was sent to the women’s ward of the notorious Evin Prison. Here she has been subjected to violence including beatings and psychological torture.

“On this day when thousands across the world call for an end to violence against women,” said Vice Chair Manchin, “I want to take the opportunity to highlight the case of Iraee, who is suffering a terrible injustice for courageously advocating for others’ rights. Despite being subjected to repeated physical and psychological abuse, Iraee has shown great strength and resilience. I call on the government of Iran to release her immediately and to cease perpetrating violence against women.”

Since 1999, the State Department has designated Iran as a “country of particular concern” for engaging in systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.

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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 27, 2018

USCIRF Statement on Tomorrow’s Hearing of Russian Prisoner of Conscience Ivan Matsitsky

WASHINGTON, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga today expressed concern over reports that Russian investigators introduced falsified information into the case against Ivan Matsitsky, a leader in St. Petersburg’s Scientology community who was arrested last year on charges of involvement in an “extremist conspiracy.” The St. Petersburg City Court will hold Matsitsky’s hearing tomorrow, November 28. Vice Chair Arriaga, who advocates for th­e release of Matsitsky as part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project, said, “It is outrageous that on top of unjustly detaining him because of his religious identity, a Russian court is now set to consider falsified information against Ivan. This information was introduced into Ivan’s case in flagrant violation of procedural standards, and it must be rejected. I again call on Russian authorities to immediately release Ivan and end the concerted effort to intimidate and abuse members of all faith communities. The Russian state must uphold its obligation to respect the religious freedom of all; it is simply not free to choose which religions deserve protection and which do not.”

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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.