FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2018

USCIRF Strongly Condemns Codification of Repression in Western China

“This is a deeply troubling development because it signals that the Chinese
government believes it can justify its brutal repression of Uighur Muslims by writing it into law,” said Chair Dorjee

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today strongly condemned the legalization of involuntary “re-education camps” in western China. As part of broader de-extremification efforts throughout the region, authorities in Xinjiang have reportedly revised their laws on the use of detention centers in an attempt to force Uighur and other Muslims whom they have arbitrarily and falsely accused of extremism to abandon their faith. According to reports, as many as one million Uighur Muslims have been subject to these “re-education” efforts in government internment camps.

USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee said, “This is a deeply troubling development because it signals that the Chinese government believes it can justify its brutal repression of Uighur Muslims by writing it into law. Until recently, authorities denied the existence of these draconian camps, and now they have cloaked their repression in legalese. This drive to crush religious minority communities is not letting up – it is in fact getting worse – and it is being directed by those at the highest levels, both within the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party. The international community must condemn and act to stop this unprecedented violation of human rights.”

In its 2018 Annual Report, USCIRF described China’s intensified “sinicization” campaign to control, govern, and manipulate all aspects of faith into a socialist mold with “Chinese characteristics.” In recent testimony before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, Chair Dorjee described China’s forced systematic repression of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. Chair Dorjee has adopted and called for the release of Gulmira Imin, a Uighur Muslim, as part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project. Also, last week the Congressional-Executive Commission on China released its 2018 Annual Report, which details religious freedom violations against Uighur Muslims and other religious communities.

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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
October 12, 2018

Pastor Andrew Brunson and Wife Depart Turkey

Commissioner Tony Perkins Accompanies Pastor Brunson and Wife Norine on Plane to U.S.

“I want to again commend President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Secretary Pompeo for their steadfast efforts to help ensure Pastor Brunson’s release,” said Commissioner Perkins

WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today announced that Pastor Andrew Brunson and his wife Norine Brunson have boarded a plane to travel to the United States. They are accompanied by Commissioner Tony Perkins, who attended Pastor Brunson’s final hearing at a Turkish court earlier today.

Commissioner Perkins said, “I want to again commend President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Secretary Pompeo for their steadfast efforts to help ensure Pastor Brunson’s release. This has been a difficult ordeal that has gone on for far too long for Pastor Brunson and his family, but today it ends and they can begin a new chapter in their lives.”

Earlier USCIRF released a statement on the Turkish court’s decision to release Pastor Brunson from house arrest.

USCIRF has advocated for Pastor Brunson’s release as part of its Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project: Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga adopted his case for advocacy. To learn more about recent religious freedom conditions in Turkey, see the Turkey chapter in USCIRF’s 2018 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 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
October 12, 2018

Pastor Andrew Brunson Is Released

“While we welcome this good news, we should not lose sight of other religious freedom concerns in this country,” said Commissioner Perkins

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed with great satisfaction the decision by a Turkish court to release Pastor Andrew Brunson from house arrest. Pastor Brunson was first detained on October 7, 2016, on false charges and served almost two years in prison before he was placed under house arrest on July 25, 2018.

USCIRF’s Commissioner Tony Perkins, who attended the October 12 hearing, said, “Today’s decision by the Turkish government is good news. We celebrate along with the millions of Americans who have been praying for Pastor Brunson’s release.”

Commissioner Perkins also said, “President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Secretary Pompeo are to be commended for their resolve, not only in defending Pastor Brunson but in defending the fundamental freedom of all people in all places. Additionally, there were many others advocating for Andrew, including USCIRF Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga and former Vice Chair Sandra Jolley.

“While we are relieved by today’s decision on Pastor Brunson’s unjust detention, we remain concerned for the Turkish people because numerous religious communities, such as the Greek Orthodox community and the Alevis, continue to face discrimination and restrictions on registration and ownership of property. Turkey must continue to work to treat all of its citizens equally and with respect for their religious freedom.”

Since the initial detention of Pastor Brunson, USCIRF has repeatedly condemned the charges against him and called for his release.

Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga attended Pastor Brunson’s third hearing on July 18, 2018, and described this experience in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece.

This year USCIRF placed Turkey on its Tier 2 list of countries that have serious religious freedom violations, and began advocating for Pastor Brunson as part of its Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.

To learn more about recent religious freedom conditions in Turkey, see the Turkey chapter in USCIRF’s 2018 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 and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Kellie Boyle at  [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.