FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2018

USCIRF Condemns Violence Against Religious Ministries in Nicaragua

Chair Dorjee said, “We strongly condemn the violence against religious leaders by government forces”

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns increasing violence directed particularly at religious leaders and ministries by the Nicaraguan government and its supporters. Since pro-democracy demonstrations began in April, more than 300 people have been killed and many more injured, including leaders of faith-based organizations.                                                                                                  

“We strongly condemn the violence against religious leaders by government forces,” stated USCIRF chair Tenzin Dorjee. “Many faith-based communities have been seeking to play a constructive role in negotiations between the government and opposition groups. Religious communities that have provided aid or spoken out against government abuses towards innocent civilians have been the victims of an increasing number of violent attacks by authorities. The Nicaraguan government should immediately halt any action on its part, or on the part of its supporters, restricting the rights of, or causing harm to, religious communities.”

Government forces have begun explicitly targeting religious leaders and communities through intimidation, physical threats, assaults on places of worship, and killings. Many faith-based groups have reportedly been forced to limit their services and outreach as a result of intimidation and violence by government forces and paramilitaries. 

USCIRF is also concerned about a terrorism law passed in July by the Nicaraguan government which may be used to target faith-based organizations providing aid to those affected. USCIRF applauds the use of targeted sanctions by the U.S. government and encourages the U.S. government to continue utilizing targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights violations.  

Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga is available for Spanish language interviews on this issue. 

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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 Javier Peña at [email protected] or +1-202-674-2598.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2018

At Gathering of 37,000 Ahmadi Muslims, USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore Vows to Make Religious Freedom in Pakistan a Priority

Commissioner Moore also formally adopts religious prisoner of conscience Abdul Shakoor

WASHINGTON, DC - Commissioner Johnnie Moore, of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), promised to make religious freedom in Pakistan a priority at this week’s gathering of nearly 37,000 Ahmadis at the 52nd Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom. Following this event, Commissioner Moore also formally adopted Abdul Shakoor, an Ahmadi Muslim imprisoned in Pakistan since 2015 on false terrorism charges.

“I have a personal commitment to make sure that you are not forgotten,” Commissioner Moore said, alluding to the physical, social, and legal threats Ahmadis face in many countries where they reside, particularly Pakistan. Speaking before convention attendees and a television audience of millions, he added, “USCIRF will continue to make it a priority to raise a voice for the Ahmadiyya community.”

During the gathering, Commissioner Moore met the leader of the global Ahmadiyya community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, and other Ahmadi leaders from Canada, the U.K., and delegations from Africa and Asia. Commissioner Moore also met with Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the U.K.’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

“USCIRF will be unrelenting in advocating for the Ahmadi’s religious freedom,” Commissioner Moore told the Jalsa Salana audience, which gathered in the English countryside under a banner proclaiming “Love for All, Hatred for None.” He continued, “The best war against an ideology that aims to promote fear is to stand in solidarity with those who promote peace.”

Since 2002, USCIRF has recommended that the State Department designate Pakistan as a “country of particular concern” for “ongoing, systematic, egregious violations of religious freedom.” USCIRF has also called for the use of tools such as the denial of visas and the freezing of assets against specific individuals who have participated in or have been responsible for severe violations of religious freedom.

In addition, Commissioner Moore recently co-authored with Vice Chair Gayle Manchin an op-ed published in Religion News Service entitled, “Stop the Weaponization of Religion in Pakistani Politics.”

Abdul Shakoor is part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project, which highlights individuals imprisoned for exercising their freedom of religion or belief.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF’s mission is to elevate and promote international religious freedom as a norm and practice. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Javier Peña at [email protected] or +1-202-674-2598.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2018

USCIRF Condemns Detentions of Iranian House Church Pastor and Congregants

Chair Dorjee said, “Pastor Nadarkhani and his fellow church members should be immediately and unconditionally released and be permitted by the Iranian government to peacefully exercise their right to freedom of religion or belief”

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply concerned by reports of the violent detentions of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian Christian convert and house church leader of the Church of Iran, and three members of his congregation.

According to reports, Iranian authorities broke into Nadarkhani’s home the morning of July 22nd, violently arresting him and physically assaulting his son. While Nadarkhani has yet to receive an official summons to prison, he has been transferred to the notorious Evin Prison. Two days later, three other members of his denomination-- Saheb Fadaie, Mohammedreza Omidi, and Yasser Mossayebzadeh— were similarly arrested without a summons.

In June 2017, Pastor Nadarkhani was sentenced to 10 years in prison and two years of exile on baseless charges including “collusion against national security” and promoting “Zionist Christianity.” The three other Christian converts were given similarly long sentences for their religious activities. Pastor Nadarkhani and his colleagues appealed their sentences in December 2017 and received rejections of their appeals in May 2018. Since then, the group has been awaiting a summons to begin their prison terms.

“We at USCIRF express our strong concern about the reports of Pastor Nadarkhani and his congregants’ arrest,” stated USCIRF chair Tenzin Dorjee. “Pastor Nadarkhani and his fellow church members should be immediately and unconditionally released and be permitted by the Iranian government to peacefully exercise their right to freedom of religion or belief. We condemn both their lengthy prison sentences and this new miscarriage of justice.”

The Iranian government has previously targeted Pastor Nadarkhani for his religious beliefs, sentencing him to death for apostasy in 2010. Following an international outcry from human rights bodies around the world, including USCIRF, Nadarkhani was acquitted of apostasy. He served a three-year prison sentence for evangelizing instead.

Since 1999, the State Department has designated Iran as a “country of particular concern” for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. For more information, see USCIRF’s 2018 Annual Report chapter on Iran. For more information on USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project, click here.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF’s mission is to elevate and promote international religious freedom as a norm and practice. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Javier Peña at [email protected] or +1-202-674-2598.