Sep 23, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2013| By USCIRF
USCIRF Letter to President Obama on Upcoming Meeting with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) sent the following letter to President Obama on September 23, 2013:
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), I write regarding your upcoming meeting with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. USCIRF has reported on religious freedom conditions in Nigeria since 2004, and we remain deeply concerned about the high levels of sectarian violence and impunity for such violence in that country. We respectfully urge you, Mr. President, to strongly address with President Jonathan the importance of the Nigerian government arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators of sectarian violence. The Nigerian government's overreliance on the use of force to tackle communal and Boko Haram violence and its failure to promote rule of law and human rights will only further destabilize this important ally.
In 2009, USCIRF first recommended that Nigeria be named a "country of particular concern” or CPC for tolerating ongoing, egregious, and systematic religious freedom violations. We continue to make this recommendation. Our primary concern continues to be the Nigerian government's failure, at all levels, to hold perpetrators of Muslim-Christian communal violence accountable, leading to a culture of impunity. While other causes factor into the violence in areas of conflict, religion is a significant catalyst and is often misused by politicians, religious leaders, or others for political gain. Since 1999, more than 14,000 have been killed in Muslim-Christian violence, but USCIRF has confirmed only 200 persons have been found guilty for perpetrating these attacks. In our recent annual report we recommended the U.S. government enter into a binding agreement with the Nigerian government to assist it in holding perpetrators of this violence accountable, developing conflict prevention and early warning mechanisms, and professionalizing the police force to combat sectarian violence.
This culture of impunity has a direct correlation to the urgent matter of Boko Haram's destabilizing presence and activities in Nigeria's north and Middle Belt. Boko Haram frequently attacks churches in predominantly Christian areas in Bauchi, Jos, Kaduna, and Kano, which exacerbates already existing Muslim-Christian tensions and encourages further violence. We fully agree with Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman's recent comments in Abuja that the Nigerian government needs to include prosecution of Boko Haram members as part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle this threat to the country's stability.
In USCIRF's view, Nigeria has the capacity to address communal, sectarian and Boko Haram violence by enforcing the rule of law and making perpetrators accountable through the judicial system, and not relying solely on a counterterrorism strategy involving the security services. Such an approach would help Nigeria realize lasting progress, security, stability, and prosperity as a democracy. The United States can play an important role in encouraging and increasing the capacity of the Nigerian judiciary to undertake this kind of response.
We stand ready to assist efforts to advance freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.
Sincerely,
Chairman
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at (202) 523-3258 or [email protected].
Sep 23, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2013 | By USCIRF
Religious Freedom: Iran's Litmus Test
Washington, D.C. - On the eve of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's first ever address to the United Nations General Assembly, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges him to prioritize freedom of religion or belief. Doing so will help make Iran a more tolerant society and ensure that the Iranian government is more respectful of the rights of its citizens, including religious minorities and dissidents.
The Iranian government last week unexpectedly freed more than a dozen political and religious prisoners, including noted human rights lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, and Maryam Jalili and Mitra Zahmati, two Christian converts. "Despite these positive actions, religious minorities and other prisoners of conscience in Iran continue to suffer for their beliefs, including more than 100 imprisoned members of the Baha'i community and its leadership,” said USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George.
For the first time in 15 years, a Baha'i, Ataollah Rezvani, was shot to death because of his faith. Despite the religiously-motivated killing, there has yet to be an official investigation into the events surrounding his murder.
"The Iranian government must conduct a swift and thorough investigation of Mr. Rezvani's death, and bring the perpetrators to justice. Otherwise killing Baha'is could become an everyday occurrence and impunity an endorsement for murder. How Iran treats its citizens at home is an important indicator of how the government will deal with other people and nations,” continued USCIRF Chairman George.
A renewed crackdown on Protestant Christians in recent weeks has led to numerous arrests. Of those Christians already imprisoned, Iranian-American pastor Saeed Abedini continues to languish in Evin prison while his eight-year sentence was upheld just last month. This Thursday, September 26, will mark the one- year anniversary of Abedini's imprisonment - vigils will be held throughout the United States and the world to draw attention to his plight and demand his immediate release.
"President Rouhani should follow through with his election campaign promises and implement genuine reforms that will improve the status of religious freedom and human rights for all Iranian citizens. Last week's release of more than a dozen political and religious prisoners was a welcome gesture. It is our hope there will be more and we will be watching to see if all prisoners of conscience are released - including Pastor Saeed Abedini and the seven Baha'i leaders,” USCIRF Chairman George stated.
USCIRF again recommended in 2013 that Iran be designated as a Tier 1 Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, including prolonged detention, torture, and executions based primarily or entirely upon the religion of the accused.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact Kalinda Stephenson at 202-786-0613 or [email protected] .
Sep 16, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2013| By USCIRF
USCIRF Letter to President Obama on
Unprecedented Sectarian Attacks Committed Against Christians in Egypt
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) sent the following letter to President Obama on September 12, 2013:
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), I respectfully urge you to speak out clearly and forcefully about the unprecedented sectarian attacks committed against Christians in Egypt that proliferated at a frenetic pace on August 14 and the immediate days thereafter. It also is vitally important that the Egyptian interim government understands from you that it must promptly and thoroughly investigate violent incidents, prosecute perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law, and provide greater protections for Christians and their places of worship.
Since the Egyptian military and security forces dispersed protestors at two separate locations on August 14, more than 1,000 Egyptians have been killed, including at least 100 police and security forces. The Egyptian interim government's excessive use of force when breaking up protests, the high number of deaths, and the return to a state of emergency are profoundly troubling. Almost simultaneously, a coordinated series of attacks on churches throughout the country were instigated by extremists. We were deeply troubled that leaders and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood tolerated or even encouraged incitement against Christians, and that the interim authorities stood by or were slow to react when attacks occurred.
While USCIRF recognizes the grave issues at stake related to democracy, rule of law, and human rights in Egypt, the Commission is concerned particularly about the ongoing threats and violence targeted at religious minority communities, particularly Coptic and other Christians and their property. The extent and scope of attacks since August 14 have resulted in the sectarian-related killings of at least seven Copts and attacks on more than 130 churches and Christian religious structures, homes, and businesses.
After former president Mohamed Morsi assumed office in June 2012, there was a noticeable increase in vitriolic, sectarian rhetoric targeted at religious minorities, particularly Copts and other Christians, as well as Shi'a, Sufis, and Baha'is. Following President Morsi's ouster from office on July 3, there was an increase in violent attacks, which accelerated even more dramatically after the August 14 dispersals. Again, incitement against Christians was tolerated or even encouraged by leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, and their belated attempts to condemn the violence and calm tensions have been inadequate. In addition, the military and interim government has failed to take adequate measures to protect the rights of those at risk.
USCIRF repeatedly has cautioned that religious minorities, particularly Copts, are among the most vulnerable to extremist and scapegoat attacks during the democratic transition. For years, USCIRF has faulted the Egyptian government for allowing sectarian violence to occur with impunity. Past large-scale attacks on Christians that resulted in the deaths of dozens and injuries to hundreds - such as in Maspero in October 2011, Imbaba in May 2011, and Alexandria in January 2011 - remain unpunished. In fact, the absence of prosecutions from past sectarian incidents targeting Copts has fostered a climate of impunity that encourages future attacks.
Mr. President, while USCIRF welcomed your August 15 statement condemning attacks on churches and calling for the rights of religious minorities to be respected, we urge you and your Administration to take additional action. In concert with the European Union and other allies, we hope you will press the interim Egyptian government to provide greater protections for Copts and other religious minorities and their places of worship and actively advocate for justice and accountability for the violence committed against them.
In its annual report last spring, the Commission recommended that your Administration designate Egypt as a "country of particular concern” for engaging in and tolerating severe, ongoing, and systematic violations of religious freedom. That recommendation reflects our deep concern about ongoing violations of religious freedom, and the Commission will continue to monitor closely actions by the interim government.
Coptic Christians in Egypt - numbering more than eight million people - constitute the largest religious minority community in the region. The United States must act to ensure this ancient religious community is secure both in the present and in the future.
We thank you for consideration of our views and recommendations and stand ready to assist in any way.
Sincerely,
Chairman
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at (202) 523-3258