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…
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 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…
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 2, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today criticized the Tajik government’s ongoing efforts to control religious activities, especially those of…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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 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 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…
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 24, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Report about Countering Violent Extremism in Tajikistan
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Issue…
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…
Feb 24, 2021
USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel Adopts New Religious Prisoner of Conscience from Tajikistan
Washington, DC –United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Nury Turkel today…
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 15, 2021
Tajikistan’s Inhumane Treatment of Religious Prisoner Indicative of Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is alarmed by…
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…
Jan 10, 2022
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Tajikistan
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Tajikistan…
Feb 25, 2022
USCIRF Vice Chair Nury Turkel Calls on Tajikistan to Release Shamil Khakimov
Washington, DC – U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls for the release of imprisoned Jehovah’s Witness Shamil…
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…
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…
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 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…
May 17, 2023
USCIRF Welcomes Tajikistan’s Release of Shamil Khakimov and Calls for U.S. Policy Action
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the release of imprisoned Jehovah’s…
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 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-…
Dec 11, 2023
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Tajikistan
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Tajikistan Country Update – This report provides an…
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…
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 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…
Jun 26, 2024
USCIRF Calls on the U.S. Government to Impose Consequences on Tajikistan Due to Increasing Repression
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on the U.S. government to take action to…
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…
Dec 31, 2024
USCIRF Releases Report on the Abuse of Extremism Laws in Central Asia
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report:
The Abuse of Extremism Laws in Central Asia –…
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 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…
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 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…
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…
May 1, 2026
Tajik President Denies Religious Freedom as He Strives for Total ControlWashington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on Tajikistan:Tajikistan Country Update -…