Aug 30, 2023

USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom and Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom conditions in Afghanistan:

Religious Freedom and Women’s Rights in Afghanistan – This report highlights the deterioration of religious freedom conditions in Afghanistan in the two years since the Taliban takeover of the country. Through a series of edicts, decrees, and circular letters, the Taliban have systematically restricted the religious freedom of all Afghans, including those with differing interpretations of Islam, but these restrictions have disproportionately impacted women. This report analyzes the implication of these edicts on Afghan women and religious minorities, including bans on education, employment, and freedom of movement. It also highlights the trends and structural changes put in place by Taliban officials in applying their strict interpretation of Sunni Islam.  

In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. Department of State designate Afghanistan as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations. In November 2022, the State Department redesignated the Taliban as an Entity of Particular Concern (EPC) for perpetrating particularly severe violations of religious freedom.

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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].

Aug 29, 2023

USCIRF Releases New Report on Eritrea’s Religious Freedom Violations

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)  released the following new report on religious freedom conditions in Eritrea:

Eritrea Country Update – This report provides an overview of religious freedom conditions in Eritrea and highlights recent developments. The country update evaluates the government of Isaias Afwerki and discusses U.S.-Eritrean diplomatic relations, which generally have been poor in recent years as well the specific religious groups Afwerki has persecuted, including the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other Christian faiths. The report notes that despite targeted sanctions on Eritrean government agencies and officials by the U.S. government, the Eritrean government continues to hold prisoners based on their religious beliefs and practices under incarceration for decades.

In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State redesignate Eritrea as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. In a February 2023 factsheet, USCIRF highlighted religious freedom concerns in Eritrea.

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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].

Sep 07

WHEN:

Sep 7th 10:30am

 

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Vietnam: Challenges and Opportunities for Religious Freedom


Thursday, September 7, 2023
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Virtual

Hearing Transcript

Hearing Summary

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a virtual hearing focusing on religious freedom in Vietnam and how the U.S. government can work with the Vietnamese government to address violations.

Despite improvements in both the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship and religious freedom conditions in Vietnam over the past decade, USCIRF has reported an increase in incidences of forced renunciation of faith and the intimidation, detention, and imprisonment of faith activists and leaders. In addition, the haphazard implementation of the 2018 Law on Belief and Religion, particularly in local areas and for minority faith communities, hinders the full realization of religious freedom. During USCIRF’s visit to the country in May, Vietnamese officials indicated the government is in the process of updating its 2018 Law as well as drafting two implementing decrees for its execution.

In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended designation of Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in egregious, ongoing, and systematic violations of religious freedom. In November 2022, the U.S. Department of State placed Vietnam on its Special Watch List, the first religious freedom designation of any kind for Vietnam since 2005 when it was designated a CPC.

Witnesses discussed violations of religious freedom in Vietnam, including first-hand experience from those who escaped persecution because of their religion or belief, and explore policy options for the U.S. government to meaningfully engage with the Vietnamese government to encourage greater religious freedom for its people.


Opening Remarks

Panel

  • Quỳnh-Vi Trần, Editor and Journalist, The Vietnamese magazine
  • Dr. Thang Nguyen, CEO and President, Boat People SOS (BPSOS)
  • Venerable Truong, Thach Dhammo, Buddhist Monk
  • Dr. Quoc-Hung (David) Tran, Director of Communications for the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and heads its Office of External Affairs

Witness Biographies

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. Members of the media should register online and can email [email protected] for any questions or to schedule an interview. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please email Danielle Ashbahian at [email protected] or (202) 702-2778.