Nov 4, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report on Burma
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Burma Country Update – This country update assesses religious freedom conditions in Burma since the military coup on February 1, 2021. On February 1, 2021, the Burmese military—known as the Tatmadaw—launched a coup to overturn election results that would have locked them out of the civilian-led government. Protests against this coup were met with violence from the Tatmadaw. The coup exacerbated already dire religious freedom conditions for Burma’s vulnerable ethno-religious communities, including the predominantly Muslim Rohingya and various Christian groups. The Tatmadaw has also targeted members of the Buddhist majority who have expressed opposition to the military junta. In addition to detailing significant religious freedom violations against these religious communities, the factsheet details the responses of various international and domestic actors—including the U.S. government—that aim to hold the Burmese military accountable and stem future violations.
USCIRF has monitored religious freedom conditions in Burma since 2000, when it first recommended that the country be designated by the U.S. Department of State as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). In its 2021 Annual Report, USCIRF once again recommended Burma continue to be designated as a CPC. On May 12, 2021 and July 28, USCIRF held two hearings on ending genocide which touched upon the conditions of Rohingya in Burma and explored opportunities to hold the Tatmadaw accountable for the atrocities committed against Rohingya. USCIRF has also highlighted the situation for the Rohingya community in Burma on an episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast immediately following the coup.
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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].
Additional Name(s): Nariman Kabdyrakhmanovich Seytzhanov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Kazakhstan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: January/15/2017
Date of Sentencing: June/9/2017
Date of Release: September/21/2021
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression
Nature of Charges: Hate Speech
Nariman Seytzhanov
Extra Bio Info:
Nariman Seytzhanov was imprisoned for his religious activity and expression.
On January 15, 2017, authorities arrested Seytzhanov reportedly over a meeting he had in a coffeeshop in September 2016. Authorities accused him of conducting "unauthorized missionary activity" and promoting "radical religious ideas and beliefs."
On June 9, 2017, the Kokshetau City Court sentenced Seytzhanov to five years in prison for “incitement of social, national, patrimonial, racial, class or religious discord” (Art. 174-1 KCC). It also fined him 91,693.58 tenges and froze his bank accounts.
On August 16, 2017, Seytzhanov's appeal was rejected.
On September 21, 2021, Seytzhanov was released from prison.
Publicly Available Information:
Additional Name(s): Abdukhalil Abdukhamidovich Abduzhabbarov
Gender: Male
Current Location: Kyzylorda
Perpetrator: Kazakhstan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: February/18/2017
Date of Sentencing: August/16/2017
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Transnational Repression
Nature of Charges: Hate Speech
Abdukhalil Abduzhabbarov
Extra Bio Info:
Abdukhalil Abduzhabbarov was imprisoned for his religious activity and expression.
On February 18, 2017, Kazakh authorities arrested Abduzhabbarov, an imam, after extraditing him from Saudi Arabia. His arrest reportedly stemmed from sermons and talks he gave between 2004 and 2006.
On August 16, 2017, the Oral City Court sentenced Abduzhabbarov to eight years in prison for “incitement of social, national, ancestral, racial, class or religious discord” (Art. 164-3 Old KCC). It also froze his bank accounts.
On November 15, 2018, Abduzhabbarov's appeal was rejected.
Abduzhabbarov was reportedly kept in solitary confinement since his arrest. It is believed he served his sentence in Kyzylorda.
In October 2024, Abduzhabbarov was released from prison.
Abduzhabbarov is married with ten children. His meetings with his family were reportedly limited to twice a year.