Displaying results 1 - 98 of 98

Jan 11, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 11, 2013| By USCIRF The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom strongly condemns a series of terror attacks that took place on January 10 targeting Pakistani Shi'a Muslims.…
Mar 2, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMARCH 1, 2013| By USCIRF The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) marked the 2nd anniversary of the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti with a renewed call for the Pakistani government…
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…
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…
Jul 2, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 2, 2013 | By USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A suicide bomber attacked a Shia neighborhood in Quetta, the capital city of Pakistan's Baluchistan province, on Sunday June 30, killing at least 36…
Sep 25, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 25, 2013| By USCIRF On Sunday September 22, reportedly the worst attack on Pakistani Christians in that nation's history took place. On that day, two suicide bombers attacked the All…
Oct 18, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 18, 2013| USCIRF During his October 23 White House meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, USCIRF urges President Obama to raise concerns about the dire religious freedom…
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.…
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…
Mar 17, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 17, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Sunday, March 15, the day an official U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) delegation to Pakistan departed the country, Pakistani…
May 14, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 14, 2015 | USCIRF  WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Pakistani Taliban splinter group now reportedly affiliated with ISIL, on May 13 murdered at least 45 Ismaili Muslims in Karachi.  The killers…
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 30, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 30, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns in the strongest possible terms the heinous attack on an Ahmadi Muslim factory and…
Feb 1, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the arrest, detention, and sentencing of Abul Shakoor, an 80-year…
Mar 1, 2016 Pakistan: On Fifth Anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti Assassination, USCIRF Calls for Reform and Repeal of Blasphemy Law   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on March…
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 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 9, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the raid by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on the…
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…
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.…
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"  …
Feb 13, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 13, 2018 USCIRF Mourns Death of Leading Pakistani Human Rights Defender USCIRF Chairman Mark says Ms. Jahangir “will always be remembered as a fearless advocate for human rights”…
Aug 7, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 7, 2018   At Gathering of 37,000 Ahmadi Muslims, USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore Vows to Make Religious Freedom in Pakistan a Priority Commissioner Moore also formally adopts…
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   USCIRF Welcomes Pakistani Supreme Court’s Decision to Overturn Death Sentence Against Asia Bibi   WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Commission on International…
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 11, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018   New USCIRF Report: Anti-Conversion Laws on the Rise in South Asia USCIRF Calls on U.S. to Press South Asian Governments to Rescind These Laws   WASHINGTON, DC –…
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…
Feb 26, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26, 2019   USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore Calls on Pakistan to Release Prisoner of Conscience Abdul Shakoor   WASHINGTON, DC – Johnnie Moore, Commissioner of the United…
Mar 19, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2019   USCIRF Welcomes Release of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Abdul Shakoor     WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Apr 16, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2019       USCIRF Condemns Terrorist Attack on Shi’a Muslims in Pakistan   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
May 8, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2019   USCIRF Statement on Asia Bibi’s Arrival in Canada and Bombing in Lahore   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
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…
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…
Mar 31, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2020 USCIRF Troubled with Targeting of Hazara Shi’a in Pakistan amid Coronavirus Lockdown Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Apr 2, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2020 USCIRF Dismayed by Lack of Accountability for the Murder of Daniel Pearl Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed its…
Apr 13, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 13, 2020 USCIRF Troubled by Denial of Food Aid to Pakistani Hindus and Christians Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is troubled by the…
May 8, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2020 USCIRF Welcomes Establishment of Pakistan’s National Commission for Minorities as a First Step 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…
Jun 16, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   USCIRF Releases New Report about Pakistan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:…
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)…
Jul 30, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Expresses Outrage at the Killing of U.S. Citizen Over Blasphemy Charges in Pakistan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
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 16, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    USCIRF Gravely Concerned about the Rise in Blasphemy Cases Leading to Mob Violence in Pakistan Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is…
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…
Jan 7, 2021     USCIRF Commissioner James W. Carr Adopts Ramzan Bibi in Pakistan through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project Washington, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner James…
Mar 2, 2021 USCIRF Marks 10th Anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti Assassination Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today marks the 10th anniversary of the assassination of Shahbaz…
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…
Oct 18, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report about Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslims Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on persecution of…
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 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…
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…
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 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 5, 2022 USCIRF Releases New Report Highlighting Religious Freedom in Pakistan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Pakistan…
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…
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…
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…
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 6, 2023 USCIRF Concerned by Pakistan’s Expulsion of Refugees and Attacks Against Ahmadiyya Muslims Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is troubled by reports of increased detainment, violence, 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-…
Dec 18, 2023 USCIRF Releases Report on Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Assessing Blasphemy in Pakistan – This report describes the…
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…
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…
Jun 7, 2024 USCIRF Troubled by Violence Against Christians in Pakistan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the recent vigilante violence against 74-year-old Lazar (Nazir) Masih in…
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…
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…
Apr 25, 2025 USCIRF Condemns Attack in KashmirWashington D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 people, including 25 Indian citizens and one…
Apr 28, 2025 USCIRF Alarmed by Repatriation of Afghan RefugeesWashington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), is alarmed by the Pakistani government’s rapid and ongoing repatriation of Afghan refugees to Taliban-…
May 24, 2025 USCIRF Condemns Rising Attacks on Ahmadiyya Muslims in PakistanWashington D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns increasing attacks against members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Pakistan…
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…
Sep 18, 2025 Pakistan Sees Increasing Attacks Targeting Religious MinoritiesWashington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report: Pakistan Country Update – This report highlights 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:…
Dec 2, 2025  Blasphemy Law Remains an Impediment to Religious Freedom in PakistanWashington D.C. – The U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reiterates it’s call for the U.S. government to work with Pakistani officials to take…