Additional Name(s): Зураб Джабраилов
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Date of Detainment: August/1/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Zurab Dzhabrailov is detained for his religious activity.
On August 1, 2023, authorities in Moscow detained Dzhabrailov and another individual for participating in meetings to study the works of Said Nursi. Dzhabrailov was charged with “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC).
Related Cases: Jeyhun Rustamov
Dec 14, 2023
USCIRF Alarmed by Rising Violence Against Religious Groups in Nigeria
Urges State Department to Make CPC Designation
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the recent uptick of recurring Islamist insurgent attacks across Nigeria targeting communities based on religion. USCIRF reiterates the need for the U.S. Department of State to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief.
“USCIRF is alarmed by the amount of violence and attacks taking place throughout Nigeria in the north and south in recent months. This momentum is not stopping, and we cannot stand by and watch more Nigerians being targeted on the basis of their faith, especially as we near the holiday season where we have seen this escalation in the past,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Frederick A. Davie. “USCIRF reiterates its call for the State Department to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, which is merited based on its own reporting on religious freedom conditions in the country.”
In the past month, Islamic insurgent-directed Fulani gangs killed at least 10 Christians in Taraba State, while a dozen similar gunmen kidnapped over 150 people in Zamfara State, and Boko Haram killed 15 rice farmers in Borno State. These incidents serve to further escalate tensions in a country where violence divides and erodes trust, threatening Nigerians’ freedom of religion or belief. Historically, violence in Nigeria has fallen along ethnoreligious lines. Violence by Boko Haram, Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'adati wal-Jihad (JAS), and the Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) also threaten the freedom of religion or belief of Nigerians. Despite statements calling for interfaith unity, the Nigerian government has generally failed to enact meaningful policy reforms and changes to address the drivers of violence impacting religious freedom.
“The United States must hold the Nigerian government accountable for failing to protect the religious communities within Nigeria,” said USCIRF Commissioner Frank R. Wolf. “In addition to designating Nigeria as a CPC, the State Department should appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region. The U.S. Congress must also request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate the effectiveness of U.S. assistance to Nigeria in achieving religious freedom objectives in the country.”
In June 2023, USCIRF produced an analysis on ethnonationalism and religious freedom in Nigeria. Last month, the Commission held a virtual event and published a report on religious freedom concerns in the Sahel Region of Africa, including Nigeria.
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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): Kunchok Dakpa, དཀོན་མཆོག་གྲགས་པ་, 贡却扎巴
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Ethnic Group: Tibetan
Religion or Belief: Buddhist – Tibetan
Date of Detainment: October/29/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Travel Abroad
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Konchog Dragpa is detained in relation to his religious activity.
On or around October 29, 2023, authorities in Thewo (Diebu) county, Kanlho (Gannan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu province, detained Dragpa, a monk at Thewo’s Tashi Monastery, reportedly for communicating with someone outside of Tibet. Dragpa had previously studied and worked at Kirti Monastery in India and upon his return to Thewo in 2012 worked at Tashi Monastery as a teacher.
"Konchog Dragpa" Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)