FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2003

Contact:
Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply concerned over the recent passage of a harshly repressive new law on religion in Turkmenistan. This new law further codifies the Turkmen government's already highly repressive policies on religion that effectively ban most religious activity in Turkmenistan. Even worse, the new legislation calls for criminal penalties for those found guilty of participating in "illegal religious activity."

"The adoption of this law marks a deterioration in the already appalling situation for religious freedom in Turkmenistan, reaffirming the Commission's recommendation that the country be named a ‘country of particular concern' under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998," said USCIRF Chair Michael K. Young. "The enactment of new legal prohibitions on religious practice show that President Niyazov has no intention of easing his repressive policies - let alone of respecting Turkmenistan's international obligations to protect the right to freedom of religion or belief."

Even before the new Turkmen law on religion went into effect on 10 November, only the government-controlled Sunni Muslim and the Russian Orthodox communities have been able to officially register. As a result, the country's Baha'is, Shia Muslims, Jews, Baptists, Pentecostals, Adventists, Armenian Apostolics, Lutherans, Hare Krishnas, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others cannot practice their religion without fear of official sanctions, which have included harassment, detention, imprisonment, beatings, deportation, and fines. On top of this they now face criminal prosecution. Even Sunni Muslims do not escape government repression, as a mosque was closed by the authorities when the imam refused to put a copy of the Ruhnama (President Niyazov's "spiritual writings") on the same stand as the Koran during televised Friday prayers.

The severe repression of religion in Turkmenistan - even before the enactment of the current religion law - has prompted the Commission to recommend that the Secretary of State designate Turkmenistan a "country of particular concern" (CPC). According to Chairman Young, "the passage of an even more repressive law on religion in Turkmenistan is an unambiguous indication of the Turkmen government's continuing and flagrant disregard of its international human rights commitments and clearly puts Turkmenistan in the category of the world's worst religious freedom violators deserving CPC designation."

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2003

Contact:
Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is disappointed that a scheduled trip to China was postponed because of unacceptable conditions imposed on the Commission's visit by the Chinese government.

This is the second time this year that a trip has been canceled by the Chinese government over the issue of Commission access to Hong Kong. In July the Chinese government insisted that the Commission drop Hong Kong completely from its itinerary. This time, the Chinese government agreed to allow the Commission to "stopover" in Hong Kong, but insisted that Commissioners hold no meetings.

"Although we are encouraged by the demonstrated willingness of the Chinese side to schedule meetings for the Commissioners with relevant leaders on the Mainland," said USCIRF Chair Mike Young, "we are disappointed that the Hong Kong issue has again become a hindrance between our two countries, standing in the way of a productive interaction on religious freedom."

"The Commission has been put in an untenable position by the conditions placed on its visit to Hong Kong," said Young. "Accordingly, the Commission could not proceed with a trip until the larger issues can be worked out between our two governments."

"A successful Commission visit to China is in the interest of both our countries," said Young. "We hope the Commission can conduct meetings in China in the future on acceptable terms."

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2003

Contact:
Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240 (202) 523-3240, ext. 27

WASHINGTON - The Egyptian government weekly October published an article in which U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Commissioner Khaled Abou El Fadl was quoted as having allegedly made statements criticizing President Bush. These alleged statements are distortions and fabrications, according to Commissioner El Fadl. Moreover, these alleged statements do not in any way reflect the views of the Commission. Excerpts of the article translated into English were published on November 26, 2003 on the Web site of the Middle East Media Research Institute.

In a December 1, 2003 written statement, Commissioner El Fadl said, "The quotes attributed to me are an outrageous fabrication and distortion and far exceed the limits of believability. I do not espouse these views, nor are they consistent with my published views as a matter of extensive public record. I support President Bush and his efforts to build positive relations and democratic systems in the Middle East, and will continue to give my best efforts to ensure his success. I am speaking with my attorney about what legal options to pursue against October."

"We value the contribution Commissioner El Fadl is making to the work of the Commission and look forward to his contributions in the future. Most recently, on behalf of the Commission, he published an important article in the Wall Street Journal addressing the terrorist ideology supported by Saudi Arabia," said USCIRF Chair Michael K. Young.

Below is the text of Commissioner El Fadl's public statement on the October article:

PERSONAL STATEMENT OF DR. KHALED ABOU EL FADL

December 1, 2003

On November 26, 2003, The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) issued their Special Dispatch Series No. 616, which consisted of excerpts from an interview that I supposedly gave to October Magazine, an Egyptian government weekly. According to the MEMRI translated excerpts, I warn against the reelection of President Bush, I make numerous derogatory claims about the Bush administration and its policies in the Middle East, and I tout my own apparently hyper-inflated role within the administration. Specifically, I am cited as referring to President Bush and his administration as a group of Christian fundamentalists with colonialist policies toward the Middle East; as asserting that this administration will invade Syria and Iran if the president is reelected; as having said I heard testimony in Congress that 20 percent of the U.S. troops in Iraq suffer from mental conditions; and as playing an absurdly singular role in determining American military policy, including the deployment plan to withdraw troops from Iraq, among other claims. The quotes attributed to me are an outrageous fabrication and far exceed the limits of believability. I do not espouse these views, nor are they consistent with my published views as a matter of extensive public record. Some of the quotes are simply ridiculous and idiotic. I support President Bush and his efforts to build positive relations and democratic systems in the Middle East, and will continue to give my best efforts to ensure his success.

As a member of the Board of Directors of Human Rights Watch, I work to protect human rights around the world. As an American lawyer, I regularly work with the U.S. government and private firms to prosecute terrorism cases against al-Qaeda and in support of the victims of 9/11. As an Islamic scholar, I have testified in court to defend the religious rights of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Baha'is, Jehovah's Witnesses and many others. As a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, I have extended my efforts to ensure the religious freedoms of those around the world.

Finally, as a citizen who is proud to be American, I respect and believe in an individual's right to speak his or her mind and conscience, and to be quoted accurately. I can only hope that people will have the integrity not to attribute to me what I do not say or believe.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress."