Apr 15, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 15, 2013| By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Ongoing attacks and retaliations by Muslims and Christians in Nigeria's violent, religiously and ethnically mixed Middle Belt has left more…
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
USCIRF Letter to President Obama on Upcoming Meeting with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) sent…
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…
Dec 2, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2014 I USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the horrific November 28 attack on worshippers at Kano’s Central…
Feb 2, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2015 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Reports of pre-election violence, combined with rising societal and political tensions, increase the likelihood of religiously-motivated violence…
Apr 3, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 3, 2015 | USCIRF
Calls on President-Elect to Govern Inclusively and Address Inter-Faith Tensions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
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…
Jul 17, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 17, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hundreds of people have been killed in Boko Haram terrorist attacks throughout northern Nigeria and in sectarian violence in the Middle Belt during the past…
Oct 21, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 21, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomed the October 14 release by the U.S. State Department of its International Religious…
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,…
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"
…
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…
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…
Feb 16, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15, 2019
USCIRF Releases Report on Violence in Central Nigeria on Eve of Presidential Elections
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious…
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 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…
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…
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…
Dec 9, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2019
USCIRF Raises Alarm about Speech Laws that Restrict Religious Freedom in More than Half of African Countries
Briefing Tomorrow to Feature New Report and Recommendations
…
Dec 10, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2019
USCIRF Releases New Report on Shari’ah Criminal Law in Northern Nigeria
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
May 8, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2020
USCIRF Condemns Arrest of Prominent Nigerian Atheist, Mubarak Bala
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed its deep…
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.…
Jun 22, 2020
USCIRF Denounces Recent ISWAP Attacks in Northeast Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today denounced the recent attacks by Boko Haram faction Islamic…
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…
Jul 28, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Condemns Execution of Aid Workers by ISWAP Militants
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) denounced the execution of five aid…
Aug 11, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Condemns Death Sentence for Yahaya Sharif-Aminu on Blasphemy Charges
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the death sentence…
Sep 17, 2020
USCIRF Commissioner Frederick A. Davie Adopts Mubarak Bala and Yahaya Sharif-Aminu of Nigeria through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
Washington, DC – United States Commission on International…
Oct 1, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Releases New Report about Religious Tensions and Fulani Communities in West and Central Africa
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Dec 7, 2020
USCIRF Welcomes the State Department’s Designation of Nigeria among World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom
Encouraged to See Positive Movement in Some Countries
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on…
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 16, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious…
Dec 17, 2020
USCIRF Condemns Boko Haram Attacks and Threats against Christians
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned recent attacks by Boko Haram in Niger and…
Feb 12, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report about Violent Islamist Groups in Northern Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on…
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 14, 2021
USCIRF Alarmed by Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions & Security in Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed its alarm and outrage regarding deteriorating…
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…
Jul 9, 2021
USCIRF Condemns School Abductions in Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the attack on a Christian school in Nigeria, where 125 students…
Jul 15, 2021
USCIRF Denounces Nigerian Religious Police Arrests of LGBTI Persons
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today denounced the arrest of five men suspected of engaging in lesbian, gay…
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…
Oct 4, 2021
USCIRF Alarmed by Violence against Christians & Shi’a Muslims in Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned recent instances of…
Oct 5, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom in Nigeria’s Kano State
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report…
Oct 20, 2021
USCIRF Releases Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Violations against Muslims in Africa
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new…
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…
Nov 8, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report about Entities of Particular Concern and Religious Freedom
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report…
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 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…
Feb 18, 2022
USCIRF Commissioner Tony Perkins Calls for Leah Sharibu’s Freedom on Abduction Anniversary
Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
Mar 4, 2022
USCIRF Commissioner Davie Calls for the Immediate Release of RPOC Yahaya Sharif-Aminu
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) called for the release of Muslim gospel…
Apr 5, 2022
USCIRF Condemns Mubarak Bala Prison Sentence, Calls for U.S. Government Response
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the Kano State High…
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…
Jun 17, 2022
USCIRF Delegation Travels to Nigeria to Assess Religious Freedom Conditions
Washington, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Frederick A. Davie along with USCIRF…
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…
Sep 6, 2022
USCIRF Releases New Report on Violence Impacting Religious Freedom in Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:…
Sep 28, 2022
USCIRF Condemns Recent Attacks on Worshippers in Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned a recent attack by armed bandits against worshippers at a mosque in Zamfara…
Oct 26, 2022
USCIRF Releases New Report on Blasphemy Laws in Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Blasphemy Laws in Nigeria – The increasing…
Dec 2, 2022
USCIRF Outraged by Omission of Nigeria and India from State Department’s List of Countries of Particular Concern
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) finds it inexplicable that the U.S. Department of…
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…
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 4, 2023
USCIRF Releases New Report on African Traditional and Indigenous Religions
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on African traditional and indigenous…
Apr 19, 2023
USCIRF Condemns Funeral Attack, Rising Violence in Northcentral Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the recent attack on a funeral in Benue State, Nigeria, which…
Apr 27, 2023
USCIRF Releases New Report on Abuses against Fulani Muslim Civilians
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on abuses against Fulani Muslim civilians…
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 14, 2023
USCIRF Commemorates Leah Sharibu’s 20th Birthday and Calls for Her Rescue
Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today noted the twentieth birthday of Christian…
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…
May 24, 2023
USCIRF Calls for the Release of Mubarak Bala and Yahaya Sharif Aminu
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today reiterated its calls for the release of Nigerian…
Jun 9, 2023
USCIRF Releases New Report on Ethnonationalism and Religious Freedom in Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on ethnonationalism and religious…
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 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 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 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…
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…
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…
Jul 26, 2024
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom in Turkey
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following new report:
Turkey Country Update – This report examines…
Aug 9, 2024
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Nigeria
Washington, DC — The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report:
Nigeria Country Update - This report provides an update…
Dec 26, 2024
USCIRF Welcomes the Acquittal of Rhoda Jatau
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds the December 19 decision of a court in Bauchi State, Nigeria, to acquit Christian nurse…
Jan 8, 2025
USCIRF Welcomes News of Mubarak Bala’s Release from Prison in Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes news of the release from prison of humanist Mubarak Bala. Arrested in 2020…
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…
Jun 18, 2025
USCIRF Reiterates Call for CPC Designation for Nigeria Weekend Attack on Catholic Mission Exacerbates the Religious Freedom Crisis in Africa’s Largest CountryWashington D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
Jul 21, 2025
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom in Nigeria Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report: Nigeria Country Update - This report provides an…
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…
Nov 3, 2025
Naming of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern is an Important Step to Advance Religious FreedomWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes President Trump’s making Nigeria…
Nov 21, 2025
More Than the CPC Designation Is Needed as Violations on Religious Freedom in Nigeria Escalate Washington, DC – Nearly three weeks since President Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), there has…
Feb 13, 2026
Congress Should Ban Lobbying by Countries that Violate FoRBWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges the U.S. government to publicly identify and admonish foreign governments that…
Feb 26, 2026
The State Department Should Place Turkey on the Special Watch ListWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reiterates its recommendation for the U.S. Department of State to place…