Displaying results 1 - 100 of 118

Jan 16, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 16, 2013| By USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. -- USCIRF today called for the immediate release of Saeed Abedeni, an Iranian-American pastor reportedly awaiting a January 21 trial on trumped-up…
Jan 28, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 28, 2013 | By USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "The trial and conviction of Pastor Abedini represent an outrageous miscarriage of justice and yet one more damning piece of evidence pointing to…
Mar 13, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 13, 2013 | By USCIRF WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) yesterday met with family members of Baha'is unjustly imprisoned in Iran. These family…
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…
Sep 23, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 23, 2013 | By USCIRF Religious Freedom: Iran's Litmus Test Washington, D.C. - On the eve of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's first ever address to the United Nations General Assembly…
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.…
Nov 20, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 20, 2014 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged the Turkish government to reopen the Greek Orthodox Halki Seminary, the…
Mar 18, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 18, 2015 | USCIRF Washington, D.C. – As the Iranian government prepares to respond on March 19 to recommendations made during the UN Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) Universal Periodic Review…
Apr 23, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 23, 2015 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today solemnly marks the 100 year anniversary of the tragic killing of over one million…
Aug 3, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 3, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) this week marks the two-year anniversary of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s assumption of…
Sep 22, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 22, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) marks the three-year anniversary of the imprisonment in Iran of Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-…
Nov 24, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 24, 2015 Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on the Turkish government to reopen the Greek Orthodox Theological School of Halki,…
Dec 17, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 17, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C – A new study of textbooks used in Turkey’s compulsory “Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge” class found both improvements and issues of concern. The U.S.…
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,…
Dec 23, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 23, 2016 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The UN General Assembly on December 19 passed its 14th consecutive resolution which included a condemnation of the Iranian government’s actions against the…
May 26, 2017   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2017   IRAN: Release Maryam Naghash Zargaran Commissioner Cliff May Says Religious Prisoners of Conscience “Should be honored for their contributions to society rather…
Aug 10, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2017   IRAN: Religious Prisoner of Conscience Maryam Naghash Zargaran Released Case Exemplifies Iran’s “Flagrant Disregard for Religious Freedom”   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The…
Sep 20, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 20, 2017 IRAN: Mahvash Sabet, Religious Prisoner of Conscience, Released USCIRF Vice Chairwoman Arriaga cites Sabet’s “courage in the face of persecution and dedication to her faith”…
Oct 6, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2017 TURKEY: USCIRF Delegation Visits Imprisoned U.S. Citizen Pastor Andrew Brunson Pastor Brunson says, "Knowing that I am not forgotten is important to me" WASHINGTON, D.C. – Almost…
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"  …
Feb 23, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 23, 2018   USCIRF Concerned by Denial of Lautenberg Refugees from Iran “These refugees face the imminent danger of return to Iran, where the already dire situation for religious…
Mar 13, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2018 USCIRF Strongly Condemns New Indictment Against Pastor Andrew Brunson, Including Possible Life Sentence “USCIRF urges President Trump and others in the administration to redouble…
Apr 16, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 16, 2018   Turkey Misses Opportunity to Release Pastor Andrew Brunson, Sets Next Hearing for May 7 “We are deeply disappointed that Turkish officials today decided to prolong their…
May 7, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 7, 2018     Turkey Postpones Hearing to July 18, Sends Pastor Andrew Brunson Back to Prison “The judge’s decision at the conclusion of today’s hearing to dismiss all of the…
Jul 18, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2018   Pastor Andrew Brunson Returned to Turkish Prison “The government of Turkey continues to make a mockery of justice in its treatment of Pastor Brunson,” said USCIRF Vice Chair…
Aug 1, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 1, 2018     USCIRF Condemns Detentions of Iranian House Church Pastor and Congregants Chair Dorjee said, “Pastor Nadarkhani and his fellow church members should be immediately…
Oct 10, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 10, 2018     Open Letter from USCIRF Commissioner Nadine Maenza to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Click here to read the Farsi translation of the letter October 2018 Washington, D.C…
Oct 12, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2018   Pastor Andrew Brunson Is Released “While we welcome this good news, we should not lose sight of other religious freedom concerns in this country,” said Commissioner…
Oct 12, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2018   Pastor Andrew Brunson and Wife Depart Turkey Commissioner Tony Perkins Accompanies Pastor Brunson and Wife Norine on Plane to U.S. “I want to again commend President…
Oct 24, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 24, 2018   Vice Chair Manchin Adopts Two Religious Prisoners of Conscience “…concrete examples of the Iranian regime’s abysmal treatment of those who seek to exercise their…
Nov 28, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 28, 2018   USCIRF Calls for Release of Iranian Prisoner of Conscience Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin calls for Iraee’s release on the International Day for…
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 21, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 21, 2018     Open Letter from USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin to Mohammad Ali Taheri Washington, D.C. – Mohammad Ali Taheri, I am writing to you in my capacity as the Vice…
Jan 25, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2019   USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin Calls for Immediate Release of Iranian Prisoner of Conscience Mohammad Ali Taheri   WASHINGTON, DC – Gayle Manchin, Vice Chair of the…
Mar 8, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019   USCIRF Expresses Condolences on Death of Armenian Patriarch, Mesrob II, and Calls on Turkey to Allow Free Election of New Patriarch   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States…
Mar 11, 2019 USCIRF Commissioner Andy Khawaja Adopts Religious Prisoner of Conscience Robert Levinson   12th Anniversary Passes for Missing American Who Disappeared in Iran   WASHINGTON, DC – Andy Khawaja, Commissioner…
Mar 28, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2019   USCIRF Condemns Erdogan’s Threats to Change Status of Hagia Sophia   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
Jul 16, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2019   USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin Calls on Iran to Cease Harassment and Threats Against Prisoner of Conscience Mohammad Ali Taheri   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States…
Jul 25, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 25, 2019   USCIRF Vice Chair Nadine Maenza Calls for Release of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani   WASHINGTON, DC – Nadine Maenza, Vice Chair of the United States Commission…
Sep 26, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2019 USCIRF Urges U.S. Policymakers to Remain Engaged on Religious Freedom in Turkey Calls on Turkish Government to Cease Interference in Religious Elections   WASHINGTON, DC…
Oct 9, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2019   USCIRF Statement on Turkish Offensive in Northeast Syria   WASHINGTON, DC – In response to news reports that Turkey has launched airstrikes on the border region of…
Oct 10, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2019   USCIRF Statement on Anniversary of Pastor Andrew Brunson’s Release   WASHINGTON, DC – On October 12, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
Oct 17, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2019   USCIRF Releases New Reports on Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Iran   Washington, DC  – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Nov 4, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2019         USCIRF Supports Sanctions on Iranian Official Responsible for Baha’i Persecution     WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission…
Nov 7, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 7, 2019     USCIRF Condemns Turkish Air Strikes on Sinjar   WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns recent Turkish air…
Nov 12, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 12, 2019     USCIRF Advocacy for Robert Levinson Spurs New Development in Iran U.S. State Department Also Intensifies Efforts to Free Levinson   WASHINGTON, DC – Months…
Dec 5, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2019     USCIRF Condemns Arrests of Baha’is During Iran Protests   Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the…
Dec 23, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2019         USCIRF Welcomes Sanctions Against Iranian “Hanging Judges” Responsible for Severe Religious Freedom Violations   Washington, DC – The U.S.…
Jan 13, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 13, 2020       USCIRF Concerned for Welfare of Iran’s Religious Minorities Amidst Heightened Protest Activity Washington, DC – The United States Commission on…
Jan 29, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2019     USCIRF Condemns Iranian Government Measures Targeting Baha’is   Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Mar 26, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2020 USCIRF Saddened Over Presumed Death of Robert Levinson, Calls on Iran to Repatriate Him and Free Religious Prisoners of Conscience Washington, DC – The United States Commission…
Apr 16, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2020 USCIRF Religious Prisoner of Conscience Mr. Mohammed Ali Taheri Granted Asylum in Canada Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Jun 19, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 2020 USCIRF Condemns Turkish Military Operations in Northern Iraq Calls on Turkish President to Cease Air Strikes and Violence Targeting Civilian Areas Washington, DC – The U.S.…
Jul 10, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Decries Decision to Change Status of the Hagia Sophia  Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) decries the decision of Turkey’s…
Aug 12, 2020 USCIRF Releases Iran Factsheet Highlighting Senior Sanctioned Officials Responsible for Egregious Religious Freedom Violations Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
Nov 19, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   USCIRF Supports Sanctions on Iran’s Intelligence Minister and Islamic Revolution Mostazafan Foundation   Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
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…
Jan 15, 2021 USCIRF Condemns Crackdown on Baha’i Religious Observance, Land Ownership in Iran Washington, D.C. - The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the alarming escalation of…
Jan 27, 2021 USCIRF Condemns Mistreatment of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Golrokh Iraee in Iran Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns Iranian authorities’…
Feb 24, 2021 USCIRF Condemns Killing of Gonabadi Sufi Activist by Iranian Officials Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns in the strongest terms the deliberate medical…
Mar 16, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report about Shari’a and LGBTI Persons Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following factsheet on governments’ use of…
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 24, 2021 USCIRF Welcomes Administration’s Historic Decision to Recognize Armenian Genocide Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes President Joseph R. Biden’s historic decision to recognize the…
Apr 26, 2021 USCIRF Condemns Additional Prison Sentence for Iranian Religious Prisoner of Conscience Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the government of…
May 10, 2021 USCIRF Condemns Iran’s Crackdown on Baha’i Community Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the Iranian government’s alarming escalation of…
Aug 5, 2021 USCIRF Condemns Destruction of Baha’i Homes in Iran Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today strongly condemned the destruction of Baha’i homes in the town of…
Aug 6, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report on Iran’s Escalation of Religious Repression Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new country update…
Sep 1, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Factsheet on Destruction of Cemeteries Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on the destruction of…
Nov 5, 2021 USCIRF Releases Factsheet Reiterating its Recommendations for State Department CPC and SWL Designations Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
Dec 3, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Violations in Turkey Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Turkey Country…
Apr 15, 2022 USCIRF Calls for Permanent Release of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Following Furlough Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed Iran’s temporary…
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 on Iran to Remove Restrictions on Golrokh Iraee Following Release from Prison Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed relief that…
Jul 14, 2022 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Repression in Iran Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Iran Country Update – This country update reports on…
Jul 22, 2022 USCIRF Releases New Report on Iranian Propaganda Against Religious Minorities Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a new report titled “Religious…
Aug 3, 2022 USCIRF Commemorates the Eighth Anniversary of the Yazidi Genocide Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today joined communities around the world in…
Aug 4, 2022 USCIRF Condemns Crackdown on Religious Minorities in Iran Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the Iranian government’s increased crackdown on…
Sep 21, 2022 USCIRF Condemns Iran’s Government For Killing of Young Woman with “Improper Hijab” Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned Iran’s religious police for the death of 22-year-old…
Oct 14, 2022 USCIRF Calls for UN Commission of Inquiry on Iran After Crackdowns on Protests Against Mandatory Hijab Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today called on the…
Nov 15, 2022 USCIRF Condemns Iran’s Death Sentences for Protesters Asserting Religious Freedom and Other Rights Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) deplores Iran’s pursuit of death sentences on…
Dec 6, 2022 USCIRF Releases Report on Blasphemy Charges in Turkey  Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report: Blasphemy Charges in Turkey – This report reviews Turkey…
Dec 22, 2022 USCIRF Condemns Sentencing of Baha’i Women in Iran Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemned Iran’s sentencing of two Baha’i woman who were former members of the imprisoned Yaran Iran,…
Mar 3, 2023 USCIRF Outraged by Suspected Poison Attacks on Girls Attending School in Iran Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is outraged over reports of ongoing poison attacks affecting hundreds of…
Mar 7, 2023 USCIRF Relieved by Release of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Calls for Release of All Prisoners of Conscience in Iran Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed relief over news…
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…
Apr 19, 2023 USCIRF Releases New Report on Sexual and Gender Based Violence Against Religious Freedom Protesters in Iran Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on…
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 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…
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…
Aug 9, 2023 USCIRF Condemns Recent Arrests and Jailing of Baha’is in Iran Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the Iranian government’s recent mass arrests and jailing of members of the…
Aug 14, 2023 USCIRF Calls On Congress to Protect Religious Minorities Fleeing Iran Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) again called on Congress to reauthorize the bipartisan Lautenberg Amendment, a…
Sep 12, 2023 USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Iran Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Iran Country Update – This report provides an overview of…
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…
Sep 15, 2023 USCIRF Calls Attention to Iran’s Brutal Violence and Mass Arrests on One-Year Anniversary of Mahsa Zhina Amini’s Killing Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) marks the one-year anniversary…
Nov 13, 2023 USCIRF Releases Report on Threats to Religious Sites in Turkey Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report: Examination of Threats to Religious Sites in Turkey – This…
Nov 15, 2023 USCIRF Condemns Iran’s Religious Persecution of Baha’is Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the Iranian government’s recent spate of arrests of Baha’is across the country. Since…
Nov 20, 2023 USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Garb and International Human Rights Law Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Religious Garb Restrictions and…
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-…
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…