Feb 15, 2025
USCIRF Marks the 10th Anniversary of the Execution of 21 Christians in Libya
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) solemnly commemorates the 10th anniversary of the ruthless abduction and execution in Libya of 21 Christian migrant workers by Islamic State – Libya, an affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
“Today we remember the 21 young men who were brutally murdered by ISIS solely for being Christian,” said USCIRF Commissioner Vicky Hartzler. “The U.S. government must continue to be an unrelenting voice against violence that targets religious communities, including Coptic Christians.”
In February 2015, ISIS published the final moments of one Ghanaian and twenty Coptic Orthodox men working in Libya. ISIS militants had kidnapped the men in separate incidents, then forcibly marched them to a beach. There, all refused to renounce their faith before the militants executed them.
“While Libyan courts have convicted some of the ISIS executioners, the country’s broader ongoing environment of impunity undermines religious freedom,” USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi. “USCIRF encourages the United States to support efforts to help stabilize the country in a way that secures freedom of religion or belief for all Libyans.”
USCIRF’s 2023 Factsheet provides an overview of increasing violations of religious freedom in Libya.
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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 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]
Feb 27
Feb 27th 10:30am
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing
Burma in Transition: Next Steps to Advance Religious Freedom and Improve Conditions for Religious Victims
Thursday, February 27, 2025
10:30 AM-12 PM ET
Virtual
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a virtual hearing that discussed potential next steps to advance religious freedom in Burma and to improve conditions for religious victims amid that country’s ongoing civil war.
The Burmese military and its State Administration Council have targeted ethnic and religious minorities for more than two decades. USCIRF has consistently reported on the worsening religious freedom violations, including its attacks on hundreds of religious sites, leaders, and communities as well as its forcible conscription of ethno-religious minorities such as members of the Rohingya community. Burma has seen the displacement of over 3.4 million people, including Rohingya Muslims as well as Chin, Kachin, and Kayah Christians.
In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Burma as a Country of Particular Concern, or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). In October 2024, USCIRF released a country update to highlight military and political developments within Burma, attacks on religious communities, conditions for refugee populations who have fled the country, and the global response to this conflict.
Expert witnesses discussed the ongoing conflict’s disastrous impact on religious freedom, updates on refugee conditions, and U.S. foreign policy options to address this persistent and deeply challenging situation.
Opening Remarks
- Meir Soloveichik, Vice Chair, USCIRF
- Asif Mahmood, Commissioner, USCIRF
Written Remarks
Panel
- Kachin Christian Leader
Written Testimony - Yasmin Ullah, Founder/Executive Director, Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network
Written Testimony - Salai Za Uk Ling, Executive Director, Chin Human Rights Organization
Written Testimony - Jessica Olney, Non-resident Advisor on Burma and Bangladesh, Preventing and Ending Mass Atrocities (PAEMA)
Written Testimony
This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].
Feb 11, 2025
Meir Soloveichik Elected as USCIRF Vice Chair
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) unanimously elected Meir Soloveichik as its Vice Chair following former Vice Chair Eric Ueland’s departure from the Commission for a federal role.
“It is truly an honor to be elected as Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Soloveichik. “I want to thank my esteemed colleagues for their unanimous support as I lead alongside Chair Schneck to further advance the Commission’s vital mission.”
Vice Chair Soloveichik was appointed to the Commission in 2024 by Senator Mitch McConnell for a term until May 2026. Vice Chair Soloveichik is Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel, the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States, the Director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University, and a Senior Scholar at the Tikvah Fund.
“We thank former Vice Chair Ueland for his significant contributions to the Commission’s mission to advance freedom of religion or belief in U.S. foreign policy,” said USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “I am eager to continue our work with Vice Chair Soloveichik whose good nature, expertise, and passion will be essential contributions to leadership that advances USCIRF’s work.”
USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives. Also serving on the Commission are Ariela Dubler, Mohamed Elsanousi, Maureen Ferguson, Susie Gelman, Vicky Hartzler, and Asif Mahmood. Read the Commissioners’ biographies here.
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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 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].