USCIRF Calls Attention to Iran’s Brutal Violence and Mass Arrests on One-Year Anniversary of Mahsa Zhina Amini’s Killing

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) marks the one-year anniversary of Iranian security forces’ killing of Mahsa Zhina Amini for wearing “improper hijab.” Amini’s death on September 16, 2022 sparked nationwide protests in Iran against mandatory hijab laws and a host of other religious freedom abuses. Iran’s government, in response to these protests, has relentlessly targeted minority communities including Baha’is, Christians, and Sunni Muslims. It has also cracked down on women and girls who peacefully dissent from the government’s enforcement of its interpretation of Islam.

“On this solemn anniversary, the U.S. government must recommit to supporting Iranians risking their lives to demand freedom of religion or belief,” said USCIRF Commissioner Susie Gelman. “The U.S. Department of Treasury should continue to issue general licenses; clarify sanctions compliance laws through FAQs; and identify safe, legal, and effective avenues of support for Iranian defenders of religious freedom. In addition, the U.S. Congress should reauthorize the bipartisan Lautenberg Amendment, a family reunification program providing a legal path for resettlement for Iranian religious minorities fleeing government persecution.”

Iran’s government has responded to peaceful protests with brutal violence, including against minors. Iranian security officials have beaten to death girls as young as 16, and sexually assaulted boys of similar age. The government has intimidated Christians, telling leaders of the Assyrian Christian community not to support protests. It has arrested scores of Sunni religious leaders including those calling explicitly for a peaceful dialogue between protestors and the government. Iranian officials have also escalated a campaign of arrests of Baha’is, including four of the seven members of the former Yaran-e-Iran, leaders of the Baha’i community who each previously served a decade in prison.

“Iran’s arrests of religious leaders, particularly the re-arrests of Baha’i leaders, is gravely concerning,” said USCIRF Commissioner Eric Ueland. “The Biden administration must lead further multilateral sanctions efforts to hold Iran’s leaders accountable for these contemptible and inexcusable violations of religious freedom. It also should support a United Nations Security Council resolution to refer the matter of Iran to the International Criminal Court.”

Earlier this week, USCIRF released a report detailing religious freedom conditions since the protests. In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF  recommended the U.S. Department of State redesignate Iran a “Country of Particular Concern” for systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations. In January 2023, USCIRF convened a hearing on Religious Freedom and Women’s Rights in Iran. USCIRF’s Frank R. Wolf Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List includes nearly 200 victims currently detained in Iran.

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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].

USCIRF Releases Updated Blasphemy Factsheet and Blasphemy Law Compendium

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released two new reports:

Legislation Factsheet on Blasphemy – This report lists the 95 countries with legislation criminalizing expressions insulting or offending religious feelings, figures, or symbols. It also explains how that legislation is inconsistent with international human rights law’s protections for the right to freedom of religion or belief and the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

Blasphemy Law Compendium – The compendium is a comprehensive resource that documents the text of the 95 national level blasphemy laws.

Despite blasphemy laws’ inconsistency with international human rights law, they are often defended as a means to achieve peace and religious harmony in society. However, in practice, blasphemy laws are used to promote government intolerance and discrimination against religious minorities and minority viewpoints. They also encourage individuals and non-state actors to seek retribution against alleged blasphemers.

These two publications build upon USCIRF’s 2020 reports Legislation Factsheet: Blasphemy and Violating Rights: Enforcing the World’s Blasphemy Laws. USCIRF has also issued publications on the blasphemy laws in Turkey, Nigeria, Pakistan, and ASEAN Member Countries, along with a report on apostasy, blasphemy, and hate speech laws in Africa.

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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 or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].