Nov 13, 2023

USCIRF Releases Report on Threats to Religious Sites in Turkey

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

Examination of Threats to Religious Sites in Turkey – This report examines threats to religious properties in Turkey, including places of worship, religious institutions, and cemeteries. While the number and severity of violent attacks targeting religious sites—such as bombings and other terrorist methods—has decreased over the last decade, there has not been a similar decline in incidents of vandalism and the destruction of religious properties. This research demonstrates denominational differences in the types of threats and attacks faced by various religious communities in Turkey and similarly evaluates the geographic variation that characterizes attitudes towards these communities and their religious sites. The report indicates that reporting and prosecuting these incidents poses a significant challenge for religious communities. Although efforts by the Turkish government and local authorities to restore select religious heritage sites represent an important positive step, such projects remain limited.

In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State place Turkey on its Special Watch List. In December 2022, USCIRF released a report documenting the government’s use of criminal blasphemy charges against government critics and individuals perceived to have insulted or mocked Islam.

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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].

Nov 9, 2023

USCIRF Condemns Rising Antisemitism in Europe on 85th Anniversary of Kristallnacht

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) solemnly marks the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht by condemning the rising antisemitism in Europe. In 1938, during a violent pogrom now known as Kristallnacht, the Nazi regime demolished and torched synagogues, Jewish-owned businesses, and homes across Germany and Austria. Today, Jews in Germany and across Europe are facing an exponential rise in antisemitism further exacerbated by Hamas’ early October attack on Israel. In Germany, the number of antisemitic attacks that have taken place in the past four weeks have exceeded the total number of incidents recorded in all of 2022. Many members of the European Jewish community consider the rise in antisemitism to be an existential threat, resulting in a recent surge in Jewish emigration from Europe.

Antisemitism has once again reared its ugly head throughout Europe. On the anniversary of Kristallnacht, we are reminded to remain vigilant in the fight against antisemitism in all its forms. There is no excuse for such violence or antisemitic rhetoric,” said USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper. “USCIRF applauds the German and Austrian leaders for boldly speaking out against the rise of antisemitism; they now must match their rhetoric with action. It is a moral imperative for the U.S. government to work with European leaders to ensure that ‘never again’ really means ‘never again.’”

The type of antisemitic violence occurring today is disturbingly reminiscent of the vandalism and destruction of Jewish homes, businesses, and holy sites that took place under the authority of the Nazis in the late 1930s. Over the past month, perpetrators have vandalized and set on fire a Jewish cemetery in Austria, branded Jewish homes in France with stars of David, and covered Jewish schools in the United Kingdom with red paint. Additionally, synagogues have been vandalized in countries including Portugal, Spain, and France.

The recent wave of vandalism has been accompanied by an increasing number of violent and antisemitic assaults and threats. For example, in France, an individual stabbed a Jewish woman in her home in an attack seemingly motivated by antisemitism. Likewise, an apartment marked by a Jewish mezuzah in Paris was doused with gasoline and set on fire and Jewish schools in the French capital have received bomb threats. In Germany, a synagogue was hit with Molotov cocktails, while in the United Kingdom, there have been several antisemitic assaults targeting Jews.

It has been 85 years since the violence of Kristallnacht and it is reprehensible that Jews still cannot practice their religion and express their identity openly without fear of discrimination or violence,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Frederick A. Davie. “Governments must protect Jewish communities from antisemitic assaults and threats, which are on the rise around the world.”

In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF noted antisemitic incidents throughout Europe, as well as positive efforts to combat antisemitism globally. In July 2023, USCIRF released a report on religious freedom concerns in the European Union, which highlighted the rise of European antisemitism and other forms of religious discrimination.

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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].

Nov 6, 2023

USCIRF Concerned by Pakistan’s Expulsion of Refugees and Attacks Against Ahmadiyya Muslims

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is troubled by reports of increased detainment, violence, and intimidation against the Ahmadiyya and Afghan refugee communities in Pakistan. Over the last several weeks, Pakistani officials have called for the repatriation of “illegal migrants,” including 1.7 million Afghan refugees who lack documentation. Authorities have reportedly conducted raids and established deportation centers to hold individuals who do not voluntarily return to their country of origin.

We are particularly concerned that the Pakistani government may forcibly return to Afghanistan religious minorities who fled persecution,” said USCIRF Commissioner David Curry. “Under Taliban rule, Christians, Shi’a Muslims, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and Sikhs cannot freely practice their religious beliefs in Afghanistan. The U.S. government must continue to engage with Pakistani officials to press them to reconsider this policy decision.

Throughout 2023, incidents targeting the Ahmadiyya community have increased. Despite an August ruling by the Lahore High Court mandating that Ahmadiyya mosques built before 1984 cannot be destroyed or altered, government and nonstate actors continue to vandalize structures, prevent the construction of minarets, and erase the public display of Qur’anic verses. Members of the community continue to be detained on blasphemy charges and are denied equal voting rights in local, provincial, and national elections unless they renounce their faith.

“We are alarmed by the number of attacks on places of worship and arrests of Ahmadiyya Muslims and their leaders simply for practicing their faith. We call on the Pakistani government to ensure that the Lahore High Court’s ruling is observed,” said USCIRF Commissioner Susie Gelman. “All citizens should have equal access to vote regardless of whatever religion they profess to follow, particularly as the country prepares for the upcoming general elections.”

In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State redesignate Pakistan as a Country of Particular Concern for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations.

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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].