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October 23, 2020
Oct 23, 2020
What started as an already concerning situation for religious minorities in Iran has grown even more concerning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out what the situation looks like for the groups affected by Iran’s imposition of a singular religious interpretation, and what the US can do to help advance religious freedom in Iran in this week's episode of USCIRF Spotlight.
Featuring:
Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF
Scott Weiner, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRF
February 04, 2021
Feb 4, 2021
As the Biden administration begins to formulate its broader human rights policy, USCIRF highlights several priority countries when it comes to international religious freedom. Condemning and preventing religious freedom violations around the globe continues to be a top priority for the United States. While some are critical of the role the U.S. government plays in championing religious freedom globally, there are also others who say, “If not the United States., then who?” In recent years, there have been an emergence of new multilateral entities dedicated to promoting and protecting religious freedom worldwide. Do these entities have the potential to foster a more effective approach to addressing religious freedom challenges around the world?
Knox Thames, an expert on global religious freedom issues who worked at the State Department under both the Obama and Trump administrations, joins Dwight Bashir to discuss the top religious freedom issues facing the Biden administration and offers recommendations for U.S. policy.
Featuring:
Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF
Knox Thames, Senior Fellow, Institute for Global Engagement & Visiting Expert, U.S. Institute of Peace
March 26, 2021
Mar 26, 2021
In some countries around the world, religion-based laws are used by governments to impose capital punishment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons. All of the 10 countries where consensual same-sex relationships are punishable by death (Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) justify denial of rights and personhood based on official interpretations of Shari’a (Islamic law).
International standards are clear that governments should not desecrate the rights of LGBTI persons through the imposition of the death penalty under interpretations of Shari’a or any other religion-based laws. Laws that make same-sex relationships subject to the death penalty violate the human dignity and rights of LGBTI persons and embolden societal hostility, discrimination, and violence against them.
This week, USCIRF Vice Chair Anurima Bhargava joins us to discuss USCIRF’s recently-released factsheet on Shari'a and LGBTI Persons.
Featuring:
Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF
Anurima Bhargava, Vice Chair, USCIRF
May 06, 2021
May 6, 2021
Since 1979 Iran’s government has shown a consistent disregard for the rights of religious minority communities who run afoul of the government’s narrow interpretation of Shi’a Islam. Even the majority Shi’a Muslim population must adhere to the government’s religious doctrine of Leadership of the Jurist (vilayt e-faqih). Those with alternative or differing opinions have suffered harassment, surveillance, arrest, imprisonment, and even a death sentence for blasphemy, insulting religious sanctities, or identifying as gay.
On top of its severe violations, Iran is approaching several key political junctures. The country’s leadership recently began engagement with the Biden administration over its nuclear program. It’s also set to hold presidential elections next month on June 18th. The government of Iran continues to deal with sustained widespread protests over a host of political and social issues that have been ongoing since December 2017.
USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer joins us to discuss why we have recommended Iran be designated a Country of Particular Concern.
Featuring:
Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF
Gary Bauer, Commissioner, USCIRF