Dec 07

WHEN:

Dec 7th 10:30am

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Religious Minorities and Governance in Iraq

Thursday, December 7, 2023
10:30 am – 12:00 pm ET
Virtual

Hearing Transcript

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing that examined current conditions in Iraq affecting freedom of religion or belief, under both the Iraqi federal government (IFG) and the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The hearing also identified ways the U.S. government can work with the IFG and the KRG to address religious freedom concerns, especially for the country’s vulnerable religious minorities.

Despite the diminished presence of the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), religious freedom for all Iraqis remains precarious in the face of recent political instability and religious division; the increasing power of government-affiliated militias and other armed groups; and the continued displacement and political disenfranchisement of vulnerable religious minorities, including those ISIS targeted for genocide in 2014.

Witnesses discussed the status of religious freedom and related official and civil society initiatives throughout Iraq, and made recommendations for how U.S. government policy can support efforts to ensure freedom of religion or belief for all Iraqis.

Opening Remarks

Pre-Recorded Remarks

  • Victoria Taylor, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Iraq & Iran), Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State
  • Gretchen Birkle, Team Lead for Religious and Ethnic Minority Programs, Bureau for the Middle East, U.S. Agency on International Development (USAID)

Panel

  • Dr. Michael Knights, Jill and Jay Bernstein Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
    Written Testimony
  • Salah Ali, General Coordinator, Iraq Religious Freedom and Anti-discrimination Roundtable
    Written Testimony
  • Dr. Alda Benjamen, Assistant Professor, University of Dayton
    Written Testimony
  • Abid Shamdeen, Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor, Nadia’s Initiative
    Written Testimony

Witness Biographies

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. Members of the media should register online and can email [email protected] for any questions or to schedule an interview. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please contact [email protected].

Additional Name(s): رضا رسایی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Ethnic Group: Kurd

Religion or Belief: Yarsani

Reports of Torture: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: Death

Date of Detainment: November//2022

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems Women’s Rights

Nature of Charges: Murder & Attempted Murder

Reza Rasaei

Extra Bio Info:

Reza Rasaei is imprisoned and sentenced to death for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In November 2022, Iranian security forces arrested Rasaei, a Yarsani adherant, in Karaj after falsely accusing him of killing a security officer at a ceremony commemorating the death of a prominent Yarsani religious figure. He was later transferred to Dizel Abad Prison in Kermanshah following interrogation by intelligence authorities. Rasaei was reportedly charged with "killing a government agent" among other charges. While in detention Rasaei was allegedly severely tortured and forced to confess to build a legal case against him. Rasaei's arrest came amid a crackdown on protestors, civil society, and former political prisoners following nationwide protests against the killing of Mahsa Amini and the compulsory hijab law. 

In October 2023, it was reported that the Second Branch of the Kermanshah Criminal Court had sentenced Rasaei to death.

In December 2023, it was reported that the Supreme Court upheld Rasaei's sentence.

Sources:

Nov 20, 2023

USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Garb and International Human Rights Law

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:

Religious Garb Restrictions and International Human Rights Law - This report analyzes how countries impermissibly restrict individuals’ freedom to wear garb expressing or in accordance with their religion or belief. These restrictions typically involve governments either prohibiting or mandating the wearing of religious garb. Examples of dressing in accordance with one’s religion or belief include Muslim women wearing the hijab, Sikh men wearing the turban, Jewish men wearing the kippah, and Christians displaying the cross. The report explains why such restrictions are inconsistent with Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protects the right to freedom of religion or belief. The report concludes that repealing legislation restricting individuals’ freedom to wear garb in accordance with their religion or belief is necessary to comply with international human rights law.

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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].

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