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…
May 21, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 21, 2013 | By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the State Department's release of its 2012 International Religious Freedom…
Jul 7, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7, 2014 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC – As Muslims around the world observe the holy month of Ramadan, Uighur Muslims in China face far-reaching restrictions on their religious practices. …
Sep 25, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2014 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the life sentence handed down to respected Uighur Muslim scholar…
Oct 30, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 30, 2014 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the recent formal arrest of Wu Zeheng, also known as Buddhist Zen…
Jun 18, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 18, 2015
For Uighur Muslims in China’s autonomous region of Xinjiang, observing Ramadan – a month-long period of introspection, fasting, prayer, and devotion – is difficult, if not…
Sep 22, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 22, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) solemnly marks the one-year anniversary of the life sentence handed down to Chinese Uighur…
Apr 20, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes Secretary of State John Kerry’s re-designation on April 15, 2016 of Burma,…
Jul 6, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Muslims around the world mark the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr celebrations, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Aug 31, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Religious freedom conditions in China have deteriorated under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. Given this deterioration, the U.S.…
Apr 25, 2017
Click here to read the Chinese translation of the letter. Click here to read the Tibetan translation of the letter.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2017
OPEN LETTER FROM USCIRF…
Jul 5, 2017
Click here to see coverage from The Economist on USCIRF's press release. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2017
CHINA: USCIRF Condemns Ramadan Restrictions in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region
“The Chinese government…
Jul 13, 2017
Click here to read Vice Chair Jolley's letter to Gulmira Imin.
Click here to read the Uyghur translation of the letter to Gulmira Imin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2017
Open Letter from…
Aug 3, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2017
USCIRF Condemns Egypt’s Deportation of Uighur Muslims to China
“These latest moves show a calculated indifference to the Uighur Muslim community”
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S…
Feb 28, 2018
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) mourns the sudden passing of Chinese human rights lawyer Dr. Li Baiguang, a devoted advocate for religious freedom who represented falsely accused…
Apr 24, 2018
Click here for a Chinese translation of this letter
Click here for a Tibetan translation of this letter
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2018
Open Letter from USCIRF Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee to the Panchen Lama on…
May 14, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2018
CHINA: USCIRF Deeply Concerned About Increasing Repression of Uighur Muslims
“The Chinese government’s restrictions on Uighur Muslims are an attempt to assimilate a besieged…
Sep 11, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 11, 2018
USCIRF Highly Concerned by Latest Chinese Government Abuses Against Religious Communities
USCIRF is highly concerned by reports of Chinese authorities’…
Oct 5, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5, 2018
USCIRF Calls for Release of Prisoner of Conscience as White House Takes Harder Line on Religious Freedom Violations in China
Christian Underground Church Leader Hu…
Oct 16, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 16, 2018
USCIRF Strongly Condemns Codification of Repression in Western China
“This is a deeply troubling development because it signals that the Chinese
government believes it…
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…
Dec 12, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2018
USCIRF Statement on Chinese Authorities’ Crackdown on Early Rain Covenant Church Pastor and Congregants
USCIRF is extremely concerned by reports that on…
Dec 20, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2018
USCIRF Welcomes Enactment of Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
Feb 15, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15, 2019
As Uighur Muslims Demand Video Evidence of Loved Ones, USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee Calls on China to Release Prisoner of Conscience Gulmira Imin
WASHINGTON, DC –…
Apr 8, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2019
USCIRF Commissioners Adopt American Pastor David Lin Through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
WASHINGTON, DC – Kristina Arriaga and Tony Perkins…
Apr 25, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 25, 2019
Open Letter to the Missing Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima on His 30th Birthday
Your Holiness Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima,
Tashi Delek or Happy 30th Birthday…
May 10, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2019
USCIRF Strongly Urges Administration to Raise Religious Freedom Violations in China Trade Talks
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International…
May 23, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2019
USCIRF Statement on Senate Committee’s Holding China’s Human Rights Abusers Accountable
WASHINGTON, DC – In response to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s…
Jun 4, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2019
On Tiananmen Square Anniversary, USCIRF Calls for Sanctions on Officials Responsible for Religious Freedom Violations
WASHINGTON, DC – On the 30th anniversary of the…
Jul 2, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 2019
USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins to Advocate for Release of Imprisoned Uighur Muslim Dilshat Perhat Ataman
WASHINGTON, DC – Tony Perkins, chair of the United States…
Aug 5, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 5, 2019
USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer Calls for Release of Imprisoned Underground Church Leader Hu Shigen
WASHINGTON, DC – United States Commission on International…
Aug 8, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2019
USCIRF Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee Calls for Release of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Gulmira Imin
WASHINGTON, DC – United States Commission on International…
Sep 16, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a report on the Chinese government’s use of surveillance cameras,…
Oct 1, 2019
On China’s National Day, USCIRF Urges U.S. Government to Take Action on Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC – Today marks the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, also known as National Day. The…
Oct 10, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 10, 2019
USCIRF Urges Congress to Pass Tibetan Policy and Support Act,
Welcomes Recent Measures to Protect Religious Freedom in China
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States…
Dec 4, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2019
USCIRF Welcomes House Passage of the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response Act of 2019, Urges Swift Passage in the Senate
WASHINGTON, DC…
Jan 30, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 30, 2019
USCIRF Welcomes Passage of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act in House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International…
Feb 20, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 20, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Factsheet on China’s Regulation of Religious Groups
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
Mar 13, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2020
USCIRF Condemns Use of Uighur Muslim Forced Labor in China and Urges Congressional Response
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Apr 9, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2020
USCIRF Outraged Over China Selection to UN Human Right Council Consultative Group
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
Apr 24, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2020
USCIRF Calls for Release of the Panchen Lama
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today reiterated its call for the…
Apr 24, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2020
USCIRF Commends U.S. Holocaust Museum Spotlight on China
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today commended the decision of…
May 14, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2020
USCIRF Welcomes Decision to Prevent Federal Retirement Savings from Being Invested in Chinese Corporations
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious…
Jun 17, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2020
USCIRF Celebrates President Trump’s Signature of Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
Jun 26, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2020
USCIRF Expresses Concern about National Security Legislation’s Threat to Religious Freedom in Hong Kong
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious…
Jun 30, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2020
USCIRF Warns that Forced Sterilization of Uyghur Muslims is Evidence of Genocide
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) warned…
Jul 1, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2020
USCIRF Welcomes Xinjiang Supply Chain Business Advisory
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the decision by the…
Jul 9, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2020
USCIRF Applauds Global Magnitsky Sanctions Against Senior Chinese Officials
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
Sep 15, 2020
USCIRF Welcomes Import Ban against Xinjiang Firms
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the decision by the U.S. Customs and Border…
Sep 22, 2020
USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel Named to TIME’s Annual TIME100 List of 100 Most Influential People in the World
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Sep 23, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Welcomes House Passage of Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomed the House of…
Oct 15, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Welcomes the Appointment of Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Dec 16, 2020
USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore Adopts Jimmy Lai through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
WASHINGTON, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Johnnie…
Dec 22, 2020
USCIRF Condemns Harsh Sentence for Christian Bookseller Chen Yu
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the harsh and disproportionate sentence handed down…
Dec 29, 2020
USCIRF Welcomes Enactment of the Tibet Policy and Support Act
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends President Donald J. Trump for signing the Tibetan…
Jan 19, 2021
USCIRF Applauds State Department Designation of Uyghur Muslims’ Treatment in China as Genocide
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds the U.S. Department…
Mar 23, 2021
USCIRF Applauds Coordinated Sanctions Against Xinjiang Officials
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds the coordinated sanctions that the United States,…
Mar 29, 2021
USCIRF Condemns the Chinese Government’s Sanctions on USCIRF Commissioners
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the Chinese government’s…
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…
Apr 23, 2021
USCIRF Reiterates Call to Release the Panchen Lama
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today reiterated its call for the Chinese government to release …
May 12, 2021
USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel Adopts
Uyghur Religious Prisoner of Conscience
Washington, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Nury Turkel announced…
May 27, 2021
USCIRF Condemns Chinese Government’s Sanction on Former Commissioner
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the Chinese government for imposing…
Jul 2, 2021
USCIRF Applauds Ban on Chinese Solar Panels Produced by Uyghur Forced Labor
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauded the Biden administration’s whole-of-…
Oct 29, 2021
USCIRF Releases Factsheet on China’s Measures on the Management of Religious Clergy
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report…
Dec 6, 2021
USCIRF Welcomes Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today applauded President Joseph R. Biden for implementing a…
Dec 21, 2021
USCIRF Condemns the Chinese Government’s Additional Sanctions on USCIRF Commissioners
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the Chinese…
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…
May 13, 2022
USCIRF Calls for Panchen Lama’s Release
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is once again calling for the release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, whom the Chinese…
Sep 2, 2022
USCIRF Welcomes Xinjiang Report Released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the…
Dec 29, 2022
USCIRF Releases Report on State-Controlled Religion and Religious Freedom Violations in China
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
State-Controlled…
Mar 8, 2023
USCIRF Observes International Women’s Day
Brings Attention to Religious Freedom Violations Abroad Against Women
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today commemorates International Women’s Day, and…
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,…
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…
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…
Oct 31, 2023
USCIRF Delegation Travels to Sri Lanka to Assess Religious Freedom Conditions
Washington, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioners Stephen Schneck and David Curry traveled with staff to Colombo,…
Nov 17, 2023
USCIRF Condemns U.S. Business Leaders’ Applause for President Xi Jinping
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns U.S. corporations for continuing to conduct business in China…
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-…
Dec 7, 2023
USCIRF Commemorates 75th Anniversary of UN Genocide Convention, Seeks Justice for Genocide Victims
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) observes the International Day of Commemoration and…
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…
Jan 5, 2024
USCIRF Releases New Policy Update on China
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
China Policy Update – This report provides an overview of U.S. policy…
Jan 19, 2024
USCIRF Commemorates the Anniversary of the U.S. Government’s Determination of the Uyghur Genocide
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commemorates the third anniversary of the U.S.…
Mar 15, 2024
USCIRF Calls Attention to Prevalence of Anti-Muslim Hate Around the World
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is alarmed at the proliferation of incidents and expressions of anti-Muslim…
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…
Jun 27, 2024
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka
Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Sri Lanka Country Update – This report provides an…
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…
Sep 23, 2024
USCIRF Releases New Report on China’s Sinicization of Religion Policy
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Sinicization of Religion: China’s…
Dec 4, 2024
USCIRF Commends Administration’s Efforts Negotiating Release of Religious Prisoners, Including a U.S. Citizen, Held in China
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the U.S. government’…
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…
Jul 7, 2025
USCIRF Reiterates Calls for Special Coordinator for Tibetan IssuesU.S. Government Cannot Allow China to Interfere in the Dalai Lama’s SuccessionWashington D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reiterates its call…
Sep 9, 2025
Promoting Religious Freedom is a Vital Atrocity Prevention ToolWashington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on the link between atrocity prevention and international religious…
Sep 25, 2025
Congress Takes Encouraging, Bipartisan Steps on International Religious Freedom Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the introduction of H.Res 738. This resolution demonstrates…
Sep 26, 2025
Imprisonment, Forced Disappearance, Torture – Tools China uses to Persecute Religious Leaders Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report: China’s…
Oct 1, 2025
USCIRF Releases Report on Refugees Fleeing Religious PersecutionWashington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on refugees fleeing religious persecution:The Responsibility of…
Oct 16, 2025
USCIRF Condemns Nationwide Detention of Church Leaders across China Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns in the strongest possible terms the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)…
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:…
Dec 23, 2025
USCIRF Welcomes SEAS Envoy Confirmation, Urges Further ConfirmationsWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the Senate’s confirmation of Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as United…
Apr 28, 2026
The Upcoming U.S.-China Summit Cannot Ignore Victims of China’s Religious Freedom RepressionWashington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges President Donald J. Trump to advocate for greater…
May 6, 2026
Targeted Sanctions as a Key U.S. Foreign Policy Tool to Promote Religious FreedomWashington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on targeted sanctions:Targeted Sanctions…
May 11, 2026
China Codifies and Escalates Its Policy on the “Sinicization of Religion”Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on China:China's Codification and Escalation of…