May 13, 2025
USCIRF Calls on Trump Administration to Secure FoRB Commitments from Qatar
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges President Donald J. Trump to raise religious freedom concerns during his visit to Qatar. Despite Qatari authorities’ efforts to highlight its religious tolerance promotion, Qatar’s restrictions on the Baha’i community and other religious minorities have become increasingly systematic. In addition to last week’s detention of Baha’i religious leader Remy Rowhani, members of the Dawoodi Bohra Shi’a Muslim minority continue to face religious freedom restrictions.
“The Qatari government’s concerning escalation of actions against members of minority religious communities undercuts its claims of progress toward religious tolerance. Governments cannot target religious communities and claim to advance religious freedom,” said Chair Stephen Schneck. “U.S. allies should embrace a full commitment to freedom of religion or belief.”
Last month, Qatari authorities detained Mr. Rowhani without charges after having previously arrested him at Doha International Airport in January 2025. A Qatari court previously tried Rowhani in 2021 when he was the chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Qatar, for purported violations of finance laws.
“Remy Rowhani’s release, particularly given his declining health, and greater religious freedom for all of Qatar’s religious communities, should be priorities for the U.S. government,” said Vice Chair Meir Soloveichik. “During this visit to Doha, the U.S. government should seek to secure commitments from Qatar to cease the targeting of religious minorities.”
Baha’is in Qatar have faced restrictions based on their religion for decades including non-renewal of residency visas, the destruction of a Baha’i cemetery, job discrimination, and family separations. Furthermore, members of the Bohra Shi’a Muslim minority have been subject to arbitrary arrests, interrogation, and increased surveillance for their religious identity.
###
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency 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].
Jun 05
Jun 5th 10:30am
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing
Religious Freedom Conditions in Azerbaijan
Thursday, June 5, 2025
10:30AM – 12:00PM EST
Hearing Transcript
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing on Azerbaijan.
Religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan remain concerning. The country’s religion law imposes onerous registration requirements on religious communities to engage in religious activities legally. In recent years, following a deterioration of relations with Iran, the Azerbaijani government has arrested and imprisoned a record number of Shi’a Muslims, presumably on the basis of religion. Many of those imprisoned have accused law enforcement of physical violence and other forms of mistreatment. Religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh remain threatened as Azerbaijani authorities develop the region and eliminate Armenian cultural heritage.
In February, USCIRF traveled to Azerbaijan to survey the country’s religious freedom conditions and meet with religious communities, human rights activists, and government officials. In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Azerbaijan to the Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom.
Witnesses discussed religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan. They also shared recommendations for the U.S. government to support religious freedom in Azerbaijan.
Opening Remarks
- Stephen Schneck, USCIRF Chair
- Vicky Hartzler, USCIRF Commissioner
Written Remarks
Panel
- Audrey L. Altstadt, Professor of History, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Written Testimony - Felix Corley, Editor, Forum 18 News Service
Written Testimony - Arzu Geybulla, Independent Journalist and Co-founder of Free Voices Collective
Written Testimony - Husik Ghulyan, Lead Researcher, Caucasus Heritage Watch
Written Testimony
This hearing was open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].
May 1, 2025
In recent years, USCIRF has reported declining religious freedom conditions in India, as the government continues to enforce and strengthen legislation that disproportionately impacts religious minorities, including anti-conversion and cow slaughter laws. These laws often target Muslim and Chrisitan communities. In its 2025 annual report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate India as a Country of Particular Concern.
On today’s episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck joins Senior Policy Analyst Sema Hasan to discuss the decline of religious freedom in India with particular focus on legislation.
Read USCIRF’s 2025 Annual Report Chapter on India and USCIRF’s most recent India Country Update.