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…
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…
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.…
Jun 11, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2014 | USCIRF
Washington, D.C. – The draft of the ill-advised “Religious Conversion Law” which Burma’s parliament released for public comment would further restrict religious…
Aug 23, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 23, 2014 | USCIRF
Statement of Commissioners M. Zuhdi Jasser and Eric P. Schwartz upon completing a five-day visit to Burma.
This is our first Commissioner-level visit to the…
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 10, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 10, 2014 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the face of escalating violations worldwide of religious freedom, an initiative that the U.S. Commission on International…
Jan 22, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 22, 2015 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the package of race and religion bills that Burma’s parliament is…
Nov 13, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 13, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on the government of Burma to protect religious and ethnic minorities during the post-…
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…
Apr 14, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) sends warm New Year’s greetings to the people of Burma and urges the new government…
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 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…
Dec 13, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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"
…
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…
Oct 31, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2018
Burma Not Safe for Returning Rohingyas, Warns USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC — Responding to the recent announcement by the governments of Burma and Bangladesh that…
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…
Dec 3, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 3, 2018
USCIRF Presses for Targeted Sanctions for Atrocities Committed Against Burma’s Rohingya Muslims and Other Religious and Ethnic Communities
Call comes days before…
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…
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…
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…
Jul 18, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2019
USCIRF Responds to Travel Ban on Burmese Military Officials
WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, the State Department designated four Burmese military leaders as…
Aug 23, 2019
USCIRF Statement on UN Report of “Genocidal Intent” by Burmese Military in Sexual Violence Against Rohingya Muslims and Others
WASHINGTON, DC -- In response to a report released yesterday by United…
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…
Dec 11, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2019
USCIRF Applauds Sanctions against Senior Burmese Military Officials
WASHINGTON, DC—The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the…
Jan 23, 2020
USCIRF Applauds International Court’s Ruling on Measures to Protect Rohingya in Burma
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds today’s ruling by the…
Mar 12, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Factsheet on International Crimes Against the Rohingya of Burma
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new factsheet on accountability for…
Mar 27, 2020
USCIRF Alarmed by Worsening Conditions in Rakhine State Following International Court Ruling
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed its alarm over the…
Apr 17, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 17, 2020
USCIRF Welcomes Release of Hundreds of Imprisoned Rohingya in Burma, Calls for More to be Released
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
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…
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…
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…
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)…
Aug 25, 2020
USCIRF Urges Justice for the Rohingya People on Third Anniversary of Genocidal Campaign
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today marked the third anniversary of…
Oct 8, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Rohingya Refugees in Southeast Asia
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a new report on…
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)…
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…
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.…
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…
Dec 28, 2020
USCIRF Troubled with the Relocation of Rohingya Refugees to Bhasan Char Island
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed its concern over reports that…
Feb 2, 2021
USCIRF Worried about Violence against Rohingya and other Religious Communities Following Military Coup in Burma
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned about the…
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…
Aug 25, 2021
USCIRF Calls for Justice on Fourth Anniversary of Genocidal Campaign Against Rohingya Muslims
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today marked the fourth…
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…
Nov 4, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report on Burma
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Burma Country Update – This country update…
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…
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…
Feb 1, 2022
USCIRF Calls for Accountability of Tatmadaw at One Year Anniversary of Coup in Burma
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today marked the first anniversary of the…
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…
Mar 21, 2022
USCIRF Welcomes State Department’s Determination of Genocide Committed by Burmese Military Against Rohingya
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds the…
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 12, 2022
USCIRF Releases New Report on Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Global…
May 12, 2022
USCIRF Releases New Report on Burma
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Pursuing Justice and Accountability: Next Steps…
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…
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 (…
Aug 25, 2022
USCIRF Calls for Justice on Fifth Anniversary of Genocidal Campaign Against the Rohingya
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today marked the fifth anniversary…
Oct 19, 2022
USCIRF Releases New Report on Blasphemy in Southeast Asia
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Blasphemy and Related Laws in ASEAN Member Countries…
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…
Dec 14, 2022
USCIRF Releases New Report on Burma
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Burma Policy Update – This report highlights religious freedom conditions…
Feb 1, 2023
USCIRF Calls for Accountability of Tatmadaw at Two Year Anniversary of Coup in Burma
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today marked the second anniversary of the military coup in…
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…
Mar 13, 2023
USCIRF Welcomes Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the Rohingya Refugee Crisis
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the launch of the 2023 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya…
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…
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…
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…
Aug 25, 2023
USCIRF Calls for Action Against Burmese Military’s Genocidal Campaign and Expanded Assistance for Rohingya Survivors
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) marks the sixth anniversary of the…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
Mar 21, 2024
USCIRF Urges for a Path Forward for Victims of Rohingya Genocide
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) marks two years since the U.S. Department of State’s designation of genocide and crimes…
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…
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…
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…
Oct 31, 2024
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom in Burma
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report:
Burma Country Update - In 2024, the situation in…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Aug 25, 2025
Justice and Accountability Still Lacking Eight Years After the Rohingya GenocideWashington, DC – Today marks eight years since the Tatmadaw’s brutal military campaign against Rohingya Muslims that killed tens of thousands and displaced over one…
Sep 4, 2025
India Expels Rohingya Refugees and Muslim Citizens Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned by the Indian government’s expulsion of Rohingya refugees back to Burma. This effort to…
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…
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 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:…
Oct 29, 2025
A Religious Freedom Lifeline to Burma’s Persecuted People of Faith Needs to be ExtendedWashington, DC – As the Burmese military escalates its vicious war on its own people, its strategy of violence targeting religious gatherings and…