Jul 9, 2009

Media Reactions

Jul 8, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 8, 2009


WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed concern today over the continued persecution of Uighur Muslims and the Chinese government's violent response to the Uighur protest in Urumqi in the Xinjiang autonomous region Sunday, that left more than 150 dead and thousands injured.

Media reports from the scene said that Uighur protesters, with legitimate grievances, were forced to disperse by government security forces. When they failed to disperse, force was used that led to the deaths of more than 150 Uighurs. Reports also indicate that, amidst the violence, Han Chinese were killed by Uighur rioters.

In a swift statement, the Chinese government said its violent crackdown was in response to a protest by Uighur separatists who rioted, burning hundreds of shops and cars. More than 700 persons were detained.

"The heavy hand of Chinese government repression displayed at Tiananmen Square and last year against Tibetan protesters appears evident again. We call on the Chinese government to end its violent response to the protests and act with moderation and restraint in dealing with Uighur unrest in Xinjiang, and to allow peaceful demonstrations and greater religious freedoms,” said Leonard Leo, USCIRF chair.

"While the specifics in this tragedy are not fully clear, what is known is that the Chinese government has systematically repressed the human rights and religious freedom of Uighurs,” said Leo. "This violent response leading to at least 150 deaths is an obvious overreaction and we urge the U.S. government and the international community to stand up for the rights of Uighurs and other religious minorities in China. USCIRF demands a full accounting of all persons detained, that they be given the right to access to independent doctors, lawyers, and that they be allowed to notify relatives.”

Xinjiang Province is home to an estimated eight million Uighurs, the vast majority of whom are Muslim. Because of enduring restrictions on Uighur religion and culture and growing ethnic tensions between the indigenous Uighur population and newly arrived Han Chinese migrants, Xinjiang is sometimes called "China's other Tibet.” Chinese restrictions on peaceful religious activity and expression in Xinjiang are particularly draconian in scope. Chinese authorities have often equated the peaceful religious practices of Uighur Muslims with religious extremism and separatism and use the global war on terror as a pretext to crack down on peaceful forms of religious activity and expression.

Religious freedom abuses are also widespread for other religious communities in China. Tibetan Buddhists, Protestants and Catholics who refuse to join the government-controlled religious organizations, Falun Gong adherents, human rights defenders and lawyers, and Uighur Muslims have all faced government abuses.

China has been listed by USCIRF as a "country of particular concern” (CPC) since 1999. USCIRF commissioners visited Urumqi and Kashgar in 2005 and in June 2009, USCIRF commissioner Felice Gaer testified before the Subcommittee on Human Rights, International Organizations, and Oversight of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on China's history of persecution of Uighurs. (The full text of the testimony is available in pdf on our Web site .)

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF's principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.

To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at [email protected] or (202) 523-3257.

Jun 30, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 30, 2009


WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leonard A. Leo, executive vice president of the Federalist Society, was elected chairman of the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), where he currently serves as a commissioner. He will take over the year-long post from Felice Gaer on July 1.

"It"s a privilege to serve as chairman,” said Mr. Leo. "It is my hope that, through the Commission's continued work, we will help our government spot and address the many challenges facing the freedom of religion around the world. I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to ensure that this basic human right is recognized as an essential and fully integrated component of any successful U.S. foreign, economic, or national security policy strategy.”

Mr. Leo was appointed to USCIRF by President George W. Bush in 2007. As a commissioner, he has travelled to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Nigeria, Sudan, and Vietnam to assess religious freedom violations in those countries.

Mr. Leo holds degrees from Cornell University and Cornell Law School. His experience with public diplomacy includes having served on delegations to the UN Commission on Human Rights, UNESCO, OSCE, WIPO, and the World Health Organization.

Mr. Leo is a member of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a Catholic knighthood founded in 1050 that today emphasizes medical charity to the ill and disabled. He also serves on a number of charitable and public policy boards, including Ave Maria School of Law and the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.

"In his two years on the Commission, Leonard Leo has repeatedly manifested his commitment to advancing the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief by his active participation in the work of the Commission, travelling to some of the most difficult places around the world, and advocating in Washington and abroad for stronger U.S. policies,” said Ms. Gaer. "I am grateful he is willing to serve as Chair and provide leadership to the Commission in the coming year. Unfortunately, severe violations of religious freedom remain widespread. The Commission will greatly benefit from the intense concern and conviction that Leonard Leo brings to the subject.”

Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and Elizabeth H. Prodromou, professor of International Relations at Boston University, were re-elected to serve in the positions of vice-chair.

"It"s wonderful that Elizabeth Prodromou and Michael Cromartie have agreed to serve again as Vice Chairs, providing the Commission important ongoing knowledge, leadership, and continuity,” said Ms. Gaer.

Also serving on the Commission are Don Argue, chancellor at Northwest University; Imam Talal Y. Eid, founder and director of religious affairs at the Islamic Institute of Boston; Ms. Gaer, director, Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights at the American Jewish Committee; Richard D. Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission; and Ms. Nina Shea, director of the Center for Religious Freedom of the Hudson Institute.

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF"s principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.

To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at [email protected] or (202) 523-3257.

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