Displaying results 1 - 76 of 76

In Russia, 'Liquidating' Churches - The Washington Post
Nov 14, 2000 The Washington Post November 14, 2000 By Elliott Abrams An amendment signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin threatens the "liquidation" of thousands of religious groups at the end of…
Georgetown Journal of International Affairs -- Is Russia Becoming a Police State?
Feb 14, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONFebruary 14, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and Catherine Cosman The following op-ed appeared in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs on Wednesday, February 13, 2013. "Russia is now a…
The Guardian -- The Disturbing Persistence of Antisemitism in Europe
Apr 1, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATION By  USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett  Even as we prepare to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, European society's dark past of bigotry haunts our present The following op-ed appeared…
USCIRF's 2013 Annual Report on the State of International Religious Freedom Identifies World's Worst Violators
Apr 30, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 30, 2013| By USCIRF Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal advisory body created by the International Religious Freedom…
Washington Post On Faith -- Honor U.S. values and interests: Back religious freedom abroad
May 14, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONMay 14, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett The following was published in the Washington Post, On Faith on May 14, 2013. Fifteen years ago, on May 14, 1998, U.S. House of Representatives voted in…
USCIRF Concerned about Russian Blasphemy Bill and the Status of Freedoms of Religion and Expression
Jun 28, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 28, 2012 | By USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Russian State Duma on June 26 passed a controversial bill on "causing offense to the sentiments of religious believers." The bill now awaits only…
Moscow Times -- CIS has a Poor Record on Religious Freedom
Aug 15, 2013  FOR YOUR INFORMATION    August 15, 2013 | By  Katrina Lantos Swett  and  M. Zuhdi Jasser   The following op-ed appeared in  The Moscow Times  on August 15, 2013 | Issue…
The Christian Science Monitor -- As UN meets, apply pressure against blasphemy laws
Sep 25, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATION September 20, 2013 | By Robert P. George The following op-ed appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on September 20, 2013. As the UN General Assembly begins its new session,…
The Hill -- Congress can defend freedoms abroad
Jan 28, 2014 FOR YOUR INFORMATION January 27, 2014 | By  Robert P. George    The following op-ed appeared in  The Hill  on January 27, 2014. I testified before the Congressional Tom Lantos Human…
RUSSIA: An Expanding Net of Intolerance
Feb 5, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 5, 2014 | USCIRF The upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics has thrust Russia into the world spotlight. The Kremlin’s increasing intolerance, however, deserves equal, if not greater, attention.…
The Continued Need to Combat Anti-Semitism
Nov 10, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 10, 2014 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two anniversaries this month highlight the importance of continually confronting and combatting anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it arises.…
The Moscow Times -- Russia's Extremism Law Violates Human Rights
Dec 1, 2014 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONDecember 1, 2014 | By Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett and Dr. Robert P. George  The following op-ed appeared in The Moscow Times on November 26, 2014. The op-ed also appeared in the Kyiv Post.…
Foreign Affairs -- Losing Their Religion in Crimea
Apr 15, 2015
The Moscow Times -- Russia Should Embrace Its Religious Diversity
Jul 27, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONJuly 27, 2015 | By: M. Zuhdi Jasser and Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in The Moscow Times on July 26, 2015 How will Europe's human rights court respond to a…
Atlantic Council -- Made in Moscow: Religious Freedom Abuses Continue in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine
Oct 14, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONOctober 14, 2015 | Mary Ann Glendon and Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in the Atlantic Council on October 14, 2015. This op-ed also appeared in Newsweek.  "We cannot stand…
USA Today - Remember the Holocaust by fighting anti-Semitism: Column
Jan 27, 2016 FOR YOUR INFORMATION January 27, 2016 | M. Zuhdi Jasser and Thomas J. Reese The following op-ed appeared in USA Today on January 27, 2016   As the United States and the world today mark International…
Crimea: Religious Freedom Abuses Must Stop
Mar 18, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two years ago today, Russia unlawfully annexed the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, cynically using the Orthodox “culture, civilization, and…
USA Today -- Rampant religious persecution against atheists
May 4, 2016 FOR YOUR INFORMATION May 4, 2016 | Robert P. George and Hannah Rosenthal The following op/ed appeared in USA Today on May 3, 2016   Should it be a crime to deny the existence of God? In the Russian city…
RUSSIA: USCIRF Condemns Enactment of Anti-Terrorism Laws
Jul 8, 2016 Click here to view this press release in Russian.   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 8, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 7 signed into law a package of anti-terrorism…
Religion News Service -- Today — of all days — remember the disappeared
Aug 30, 2016 FOR YOUR INFORMATION August 30, 2016 | Daniel I. Mark and Sandra Jolley The following op/ed appeared in Religion News Service on August 30, 2016   (RNS) Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was a 6-year-old boy when he…
RUSSIA: Russia Suspends Jehovah’s Witnesses
Apr 3, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 4, 2017 RUSSIA:  Russia Suspends Jehovah’s Witnesses USCIRF Condemns Actions That Would Eliminate the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Legal Existence in Russia Washington, D.C. –  Russia…
RUSSIA: Supreme Court Outlaws the Jehovah’s Witnesses
Apr 20, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2017 RUSSIA:  Supreme Court Outlaws the Jehovah’s Witnesses USCIRF Condemns Russian Supreme Court Decision Banning the Jehovah’s Witnesses WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The U.S.…
Georgetown University Berkley Forum: Rising Tide of Religious Freedom Abuses Abroad
Apr 27, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in the Georgetown University Berkley Forum on April 26, 2017. The op-ed also appeared in Religious Freedom Institute: Cornerstone.   By former USCIRF Commissioner Thomas J. Reese…
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Russia escalates violations of religious freedom
Apr 28, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer on April 27, 2017 By former USCIRF Commissioners Thomas J. Reese and Daniel Mark   On April 26, the U.S. Commission on International…
RUSSIA: Release Bagir Kazikhanov
May 19, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19, 2017   RUSSIA: Release Bagir Kazikhanov   USCIRF Commissioner John Ruskay tells the Russian Government to “Stop Equating Peaceful Religious Behavior with Terrorism…
RUSSIA: Jehovah’s Witnesses Banned After Supreme Court Rejects Appeals
Jul 17, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 17, 2017 RUSSIA: Jehovah’s Witnesses Banned After Supreme Court Rejects Appeals USCIRF Condemns the Banning of the Jehovah’s Witnesses WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on…
Open Letter from USCIRF Commissioner John Ruskay to Bagir Kazikhanov
Jul 26, 2017 Commissioner John Ruskay sent the following letter to Russian religious prisoner of conscience Bagir Kazikhanov.Click here to read the Russian translation of the letter.       July 26, 2017…
Press Release: USCIRF Vice Chairwoman Kristina Arriaga Testifies Before the House Oversight Committee
Oct 11, 2017  USCIRF Vice Chairwoman Kristina Arriaga Testifies Before the House Oversight Committee Arriaga tells Members that religious freedom violations “have security implications for the United States"  …
The Hill: The List No One Wants to Be On
Nov 16, 2017 The following originally op-ed appeared in The Hill on November 16, 2017   By former USCIRF Commissioners Daniel Mark and Sandra Jolley   People love lists. And when those lists are in the news,…
Atlantic Council: Another Missed Opportunity: Russia Evades Designation for Religious Repression
Jan 31, 2018 This Op-Ed appeared originally in the Atlantic Council's blog, UkraineAlert, on January 31, 2018. By Clifford D. May and Thomas J. Reese, S.J. (Atlantic Council) - In 2017, for the first time ever, the US…
The Hill: Protecting Religious Freedom Provides Common Ground for All
Jul 30, 2018 This op-ed originally appeared in The Hill on July 27, 2018. By former USCIRF Commissioners Tenzin Dorjee and Kristina Arriaga To the surprise of many, there is a foreign policy issue on which…
Vice Chair Arriaga Adopts Two Religious Prisoners of Conscience
Sep 26, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2018   Vice Chair Arriaga Adopts Two Religious Prisoners of Conscience Vice Chair Arriaga said, “These two cases are examples of the Russian government ‘securitizing’ religion…
USCIRF Statement on Tomorrow’s Hearing of Russian Prisoner of Conscience Ivan Matsitsky
Nov 27, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 27, 2018     USCIRF Statement on Tomorrow’s Hearing of Russian Prisoner of Conscience Ivan Matsitsky WASHINGTON, DC – United States Commission on International Religious…
State Department Names the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom
Dec 12, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2018   State Department Names the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom USCIRF Praises CPC Designation of Pakistan WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on…
USCIRF Condemns Russian Conviction of Danish Prisoner of Conscience Dennis Christensen
Feb 7, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 7, 2019     USCIRF Condemns Russian Conviction of Danish Prisoner of Conscience Dennis Christensen Proof of Putin Escalating Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses, says Vice Chair…
USCIRF Condemns Russian Court’s Decision to Uphold Conviction of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Dennis Christensen
May 23, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2019 USCIRF Condemns Russian Court’s Decision to Uphold Conviction of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Dennis Christensen Decision reflects growing dangers faced by Russia’s…
USCIRF Statement on Travel Ban for Russian Religious Freedom Violators
Sep 13, 2019 WASHINGTON, DC (September 13, 2019) -- In response to the U.S. State Department’s recent decision to publicly designate Russian officials Vladimir Petrovich Yermolayev and Stepan Vladimirovich Tkach, as well as their…
USCIRF Condemns Russian Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jun 15, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Condemns Russian Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemned the recent increase in harsh…
USCIRF Applauds Russian Court’s Parole of Jehovah’s Witness Dennis Christensen
Jun 23, 2020 USCIRF Applauds Russian Court’s Parole of Jehovah’s Witness Dennis Christensen Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomed the decision of a Russian District…
USCIRF Troubled by Russia’s Ongoing Imprisonment of Jehovah’s Witness Dennis Christensen
Jul 2, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Troubled by Russia’s Ongoing Imprisonment of Jehovah’s Witness Dennis Christensen Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed…
USCIRF Releases Report on the Anti-cult Movement and Religious Regulation in Russia and Central Asia
Jul 17, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases Report on the Anti-cult Movement and Religious Regulation in Russia and Central Asia Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Washington Examiner: Washington Must Expand the List of Sanctioned Religious Freedom Violators
Jul 20, 2020 This op-ed was originally published by The Washington Examiner, on July 20, 2020. By USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin and USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins In Iraq, the 50th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces has…
Newsweek: It’s Time to Get Concerned About Russia
Sep 16, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in Newsweek, on September 16, 2020. By USCIRF Commissioners Gary Bauer and Nury Turkel On April 16, Russian security services drove Raim Aivazov to a forest, forced him to his…
USCIRF Troubled by Russia’s Ongoing Imprisonment of Jehovah’s Witness Dennis Christensen
Oct 27, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   USCIRF Troubled by Russia’s Ongoing Imprisonment of Jehovah’s Witness Dennis Christensen Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Nov 10, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 10, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Report about Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
USCIRF Welcomes U.S. House Passage of Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act
Nov 20, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Welcomes U.S. House Passage of Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the passage by the U.S.…
USCIRF Releases Groundbreaking Report on the Enforcement of Blasphemy Laws Globally
Dec 9, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: USCIRF Releases Groundbreaking Report on the Enforcement of Blasphemy Laws Globally WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a…
USCIRF Releases 2021 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
Apr 21, 2021 USCIRF Releases 2021 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy No Longer Recommends Three Countries for Special Watch List Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Violations in Russia’s Republic of Chechnya
Oct 26, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Violations in Russia’s Republic of Chechnya Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report on religious freedom…
USCIRF Appalled at Administration’s Removal of Nigeria from List of Violators of Religious Freedom
Nov 17, 2021 USCIRF Appalled at Administration’s Removal of Nigeria from List of Violators of Religious Freedom Welcomes State Department’s Additional Designations of Russia and Algeria Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious…
USCIRF Concerned by Russian Prosecution of International Memorial Society
Dec 22, 2021 USCIRF Concerned by Russian Prosecution of International Memorial Society Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed its grave concern today over the Russian…
USCIRF Warns of Potential for Significant Religious Oppression in Ukraine
Mar 16, 2022 USCIRF Warns of Potential for Significant Religious Oppression in Ukraine Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is appalled by the incalculable suffering already…
USCIRF Releases 2022 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
Apr 25, 2022 USCIRF Releases 2022 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy  Recommends Afghanistan as Country of Particular Concern Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious…
USCIRF Welcomes Release of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Dennis Christensen
Jun 10, 2022 USCIRF Welcomes Release of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Dennis Christensen Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the release of prisoner of…
USCIRF Welcomes European Court Judgment Against Russia on Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jun 21, 2022 USCIRF Welcomes European Court Judgment Against Russia on Jehovah’s Witnesses Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the European Court of Human Rights (…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Tolerance Promotion and Religious Freedom
Dec 13, 2022 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Tolerance Promotion and Religious Freedom Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Tolerance, Religious Freedom…
USCIRF Concerned by Religious Freedom Implications of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Feb 24, 2023 USCIRF Concerned by Religious Freedom Implications of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale military…
USCIRF Condemns Russia’s Closure of the SOVA Center
Apr 27, 2023 USCIRF Condemns Russia’s Closure of the SOVA Center Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) denounced Russia’s forcible closure of the SOVA Center for Information and Analysis, a…
USCIRF Releases 2023 Annual Report Highlighting Worsening Religious Freedom Conditions Around the World
May 1, 2023 USCIRF Releases 2023 Annual Report Highlighting Worsening Religious Freedom Conditions Around the World Includes new recommendations of Cuba and Nicaragua as Countries of Particular Concern and Sri Lanka for the Special Watch List Washington,…
USCIRF Alarmed by Worldwide Blasphemy Enforcement
May 8, 2023 USCIRF Alarmed by Worldwide Blasphemy Enforcement Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is alarmed by the continued enforcement of blasphemy provisions around the world and condemns efforts to…
USCIRF Welcomes the Release of State Department’s 2022 International Religious Freedom Report
May 15, 2023 USCIRF Welcomes the Release of State Department’s 2022 International Religious Freedom Report Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends the State Department…
USCIRF Releases New Reports on Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations
Jul 5, 2023 USCIRF Releases New Reports on Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new reports on religious freedom conditions in the…
Religion News Service: Repression of women points to worsening religious freedom trends abroad
May 3, 2023 This op-ed was originally published by Religion News Service on May 3, 2023. By USCIRF Chair Nury Turkel & Vice Chair Abraham Cooper Denying religious freedom and women’s rights go hand-in-hand. Over the…
USCIRF Releases Updated Blasphemy Factsheet and Blasphemy Law Compendium
Sep 14, 2023 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…
USCIRF Releases Report on National Level Anti-Conversion Laws around the World
Nov 28, 2023 USCIRF Releases Report on National Level Anti-Conversion Laws around the World Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Compendium of National Anti-…
USCIRF Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern
Jan 4, 2024 USCIRF Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern Azerbaijan Added to State Department’s Special Watch List Washington, DC – The United States Commission on…
USCIRF Calls for Greater Protection of Religious Sites in Conflict Areas
Jan 23, 2024 USCIRF Calls for Greater Protection of Religious Sites in Conflict Areas Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on all parties to armed conflicts around the world to abide by…
USCIRF Urges Sanctions on Russian Officials Abusing FoRB Prisoners
Mar 1, 2024 USCIRF Urges Sanctions on Russian Officials Abusing FoRB Prisoners Calls Attention to Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations and Crackdown on Civil Society Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
USCIRF Releases 2024 Annual Report with New Recommendations for U.S. Policy
May 1, 2024 USCIRF Releases 2024 Annual Report with New Recommendations for U.S. Policy Highlights State of Religious Freedom Abroad after 25 Years of IRFA Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Protection of Religious Sites During Armed Conflict
May 14, 2024 USCIRF Releases New Report on Protection of Religious Sites During Armed Conflict Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Protection of Religious Sites…
USCIRF Releases Report on Government Misinformation and Disinformation and Religious Freedom
Aug 8, 2024 USCIRF Releases Report on Government Misinformation and Disinformation and Religious Freedom Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report: Misinformation and…
USCIRF Releases Report on Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Nov 22, 2024 USCIRF Releases Report on Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses  Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report:  Religious Freedom Challenges for Jehovah’s…
USCIRF Releases 2025 Annual Report
Mar 25, 2025 USCIRF Releases 2025 Annual ReportWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released its 2025 Annual Report. The report documents religious freedom conditions in 2024 and recommends policy…
USCIRF Releases Report on Russia’s Blasphemy Enforcement
Apr 14, 2025 USCIRF Releases Report on Russia’s Blasphemy EnforcementWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report: Prosecuting Blasphemy in Russia – Russia has…
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Russia
Jun 30, 2025 USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in RussiaWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)  released the following report: Russia Country Update – The Russian government…
Torture and Ill Treatment are Tools of Violating Religious Freedom
Oct 20, 2025 Torture and Ill Treatment are Tools of Violating Religious FreedomWashington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on religious freedom and torture:…