Oct 23

WHEN:

Oct 23rd 3:00pm - Oct 23rd 5:00pm

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

The First 25 Years: IRFA Accomplishments and Next Steps

Monday, October 23, 2023
3:00-5:00 pm ET
Kennedy Caucus Room
325 Russell Senate Office Building
 

Watch on C-Span

Event Transcript

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted an event commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA). 

Freedom of religion is both America’s first freedom and a universal human right. Yet many people around the world live in countries where this right is denied or restricted. Twenty-five years ago, IRFA was enacted to elevate religious freedom as a higher priority in U.S. foreign policy and strengthen the United States’ advocacy on behalf of individuals persecuted in foreign countries on account of their religion or belief.

Speakers reflected on the impact of IRFA and the next steps for U.S. foreign policy. This event also highlighted individuals and communities persecuted for their religion or belief, as well as the many victims of religious freedom violations documented in the Frank R. Wolf Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List. 

Opening Remarks
•    Abraham Cooper, Chair, USCIRF
Written Remarks
•    Frederick A. Davie, Vice Chair, USCIRF
Written Remarks

Congressional Remarks
All Members of Congress were invited to speak.
•    ​​​Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Written Remarks
•    Senator James Lankford (R-OK)
Recorded Remarks
•    Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)
Written Remarks
•    Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Recorded Remarks
•    Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA)
Written Remarks
•    Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
Recorded Remarks

Panel I – A Retrospective and Prospective Look on IRFA’s Passage
•    Frank Wolf, Commissioner, USCIRF 
Recorded Remarks
•    Former Senator Don Nickles
Recorded Remarks
•    Former Senator Joe Lieberman
Recorded Remarks

Panel II – Raising Awareness of Religious Prisoners of Conscience Through Frank R. Wolf FoRB Victims List and TLHRC Defending Freedoms Project

Moderator
•    David Curry, Commissioner, USCIRF

Panelists
•    Kimberly Stanton, Democratic Staff Director, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
•    Sasha LaPonsa, Democratic Staff Associate, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
•    Judy Golub, Director of Strategy and Planning for Religious News Foundation/Service and FoRB Women's Alliance Co-Founder

Remarks from Former Religious Prisoners of Conscience (RPOCs)
• Nguyen Bac Truyen, Vietnam
Recorded Remarks
• Jahongir Kulidjanov, Uzbekistan
Recorded Remarks
• Seymur Mammadov, Azerbaijan
Recorded Remarks

Panel III – USCIRF’s Key Accomplishments and Upcoming Activities
•    USCIRF Commissioners and Staff

 

Light refreshments will be served. This event is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. For any additional questions or interview requests, please contact [email protected].

Additional Name(s): Джаппаров Айдер Энверович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 17 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/10/2019

Date of Sentencing: January/12/2021

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Distributing Religious Materials Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Aider Dzhepparov

Extra Bio Info:

Aider Dzhepparov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On June 10, 2019, authorities detained Dzhepparov after accusing him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, attempting to recruit new members, distributing religious materials, and holding meetings to discuss Islam, the organization's ideology, and the persecution of Muslims in Russia.

On January 12, 2021, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Dzhepparov to 17 years in prison for "organizing the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist" (Art. 205.5-1 RCC) and "preparing for actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power” (Art. 30-1/Art. 278 RCC).

On March 10, 2022, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Omerov's sentence.

In February 2024, it was reported that Dzhepparov would not be allowed to attend the funeral of his son, who died of cancer. 

Related Cases: Riza Omerov, Enver Omerov, Azamat Eyupov

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Омеров Энвер Викторович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 18 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/10/2019

Date of Sentencing: January/12/2021

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Distributing Religious Materials Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Enver Omerov

Extra Bio Info:

Enver Omerov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On June 10, 2019, authorities detained Omerov after accusing him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, attempting to recruit new members, distributing religious materials, and holding meetings to discuss Islam, the organization's ideology, and the persecution of Muslims in Russia.

On January 12, 2021, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Omerov to 18 years in prison for "organizing the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist" (Art. 205.5-1 RCC) and "preparing for actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power” (Art. 30-1/Art. 278 RCC).

On March 10, 2022, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Omerov's sentence.

Related Cases: Riza Omerov, Aider Dzhepparov, Azamat Eyupov

Sources:
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