Displaying results 1 - 100 of 226

USCIRF Letter to Secretary Kerry on the Sixteenth Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent the following letter to Secretary of State Kerry on April 12, 2013. The Honorable John F. Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Department of State Washington, DC 20520 Dear Secretary Kerry: I…
USCIRF's 2013 Annual Report on the State of International Religious Freedom Identifies World's Worst Violators
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…
Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett, 2013 Annual Report, National Endowment for Democracy
USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett gave the following remarks at a conference, cosponsored by USCIRF and the National Endowment for Democracy on May 7, 2013Introduction Thank you for that kind introduction. It truly is a pleasure to join you today at the…
CNN World -- Fight Terrorism with Religious Freedom
Sep 11, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONSeptember 11, 2013 | By Robert P. George The following op-ed appeared in CNN World on September 11, 2013. Editor's note: Robert P. George is chairman of the U.S. Commission on International…
The Christian Science Monitor -- JFK's call for religious freedom can transform places like Pakistan
Nov 8, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONNovember 7, 2013 | By Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on November 7, 2013. As the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of…
AZERBAIJAN: Government Must Free Prisoners of Conscience
Aug 24, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the violations of religious freedom and human rights taking place in Azerbaijan.…
CUBA: After Fidel Castro
Dec 2, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2016   WASHINGTON, DC – With the passing of Fidel Castro on November 25, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges the Cuban government to take a…
CUBA: USCIRF Condemns the Expulsion of Félix Yuniel Llerena López from the University of Cuba
May 9, 2017 CUBA: USCIRF Condemns the Expulsion of Félix Yuniel Llerena López from the University of CubaUSCIRF Calls on the University to Reinstate Félix as a Student and for the Castro Government to Cease Its Harassment of Him…
USCIRF Condemns Terrorist Attack Against Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan
Jul 3, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 3, 2018 USCIRF Condemns Terrorist Attack Against Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan Chair Dorjee said, “This attack is yet another reminder of the crucial link between security and religious…
USCIRF Calls on Cuba to Cease Harassment of Religious Leaders, Strengthen Religious Freedom Language in New Constitution
Dec 11, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018     USCIRF Calls on Cuba to Cease Harassment of Religious Leaders, Strengthen Religious Freedom Language in New Constitution   Current Draft Weakens…
USCIRF Condemns Cuban Authorities’ Crackdown on Homeschooling Pastor and Wife
Apr 24, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2019 USCIRF Condemns Cuban Authorities’ Crackdown on Homeschooling Pastor and Wife   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Summer Seminar #1 -- A Foundational Human Right: Why International Religious Freedom Matters
Jun 24 WHEN: Jun 24th 6:59pm…
Testimony of Vice Chair Maenza on Global Persecution of Christians
On June 27, 2019, Vice Chair Nadine Maenza testified at a Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on violations of the right to freedom of religion of Christian communities around the world.Written Testimony Hearing Webpage
USCIRF Statement on Cuba Preventing Religious Leaders from Attending International Religious Freedom Meeting
Jul 16, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2019   USCIRF Statement on Cuba Preventing Religious Leaders from Attending International Religious Freedom Meeting   WASHINGTON, DC – In response to the prohibition of…
Summer Seminar #2 -- Anti-Semitism: The World's Oldest Hatred — New Again?
Jul 24 WHEN: Jul 24th 1:00pm - Jul 24th 1:00pm…
USCIRF Hearing on Global Efforts to Counter Anti-Semitism
Jan 08 WHEN: Jan 8th 1:30pm…
Country Update: Afghanistan
Click here to view the October 2019 Afghanistan Country Update.
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am…
USCIRF Delegation Travels to Azerbaijan to Assess Religious Freedom Conditions
Mar 9, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 2020 USCIRF Delegation Travels to Azerbaijan to Assess Religious Freedom Conditions Washington, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Vice Chairs…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Cuba
Mar 10, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 10, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Cuba   Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
USCIRF Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack against Sikh House of Worship in Kabul
Mar 25, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2020 USCIRF Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack against Sikh House of Worship in Kabul Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly…
USCIRF Welcomes the Release of Ayda Expósito, Calls for Release of Other Religious Prisoners of Conscience in Cuba
Apr 3, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2020 USCIRF Welcomes the Release of Ayda Expósito, Calls for Release of Other Religious Prisoners of Conscience in Cuba Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International…
USCIRF Welcomes the Release of Pastor Ramón Rigal, Calls for Release of Roberto Jesus Quinones Haces
Jul 1, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Welcomes the Release of Pastor Ramón Rigal, Calls for Release of Roberto Jesus Quinones Haces Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Afghanistan Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Afghanistan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Afghanistan.pdf Language English Year…
Azerbaijan Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Azerbaijan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Azerbaijan.pdf Language English Year…
Cuba Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Cuba Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Cuba.pdf Language English Year 2026…
Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett, 2013 Annual Report, National Endowment for Democracy
May 7, 2013 USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett gave the following remarks at a conference, cosponsored by USCIRF and the National Endowment for Democracy on May 7, 2013 Introduction Thank you for that kind introduction. It…
Factsheet: Conscientious Objection
Conscientious objection to military service is frequently connected to freedom of religion or belief, as many conscientious objectors are motivated by deeply-held religious beliefs. The right to conscientious objection is recognized under international…
Webinar #5: Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List
Nov 06 WHEN: Nov 6th 2:00pm…
2018 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom
Jul 25 WHEN: Jul 25th 5:00pm - Jul 25th 7:00pm…
USCIRF Events During 2019 Ministerial
Jul 16 WHEN: Jul 16th 4:00pm - Jul 18th 2:00pm…
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing Protecting Houses of Worship and Holy Sites
Oct 23 WHEN: Oct 23rd 3:00pm…
USCIRF Update with USAID: The President’s Executive Order on International Religious Freedom
Aug 05 WHEN: Aug 5th 10:30am…
Issue Update: The Global Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses
Read the full Issue Update: The Global Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses   This update describes official discrimination against Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world, with a particular focus on countries where members have been imprisoned for…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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…
Violating Rights: Enforcing the World's Blasphemy Laws
Click here to view the report Violating Rights: Enforcing the World’s Blasphemy Laws USCIRF’s groundbreaking report examines the enforcement of blasphemy laws worldwide. Blasphemy laws criminalize expressions that insults or offends religious doctrines.…
Denis Rosabal
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Cuba Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Date of Detainment: August/6/2021…
Factsheet: The Santería Tradition in Cuba
Factsheet: The Santería Tradition in Cuba Factsheet on the Santería Tradition in Cuba - This factsheet provides a brief overview of the traditions of the Santeria community in Cuba and highlights the religious freedom violations that…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Santería in Cuba
Feb 22, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report about Santería in Cuba   Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following factsheet on the Santería tradition in…
Santería in Cuba
Mar 5, 2021 Santería is a syncretic religion that incorporates elements of Catholicism with the religion of the Yoruba people, who were brought as slaves to Cuba from the Congo basin and West Africa in the 16th century. While…
Factsheet: Shari'a and LGBTI Persons
Factsheet on Shari’a and LGBTI Persons – In some countries around the world, criminal laws provide for the death penalty based on religious interpretations. This factsheet highlights countries with death penalty laws that target the LGBTI community…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Shari’a and LGBTI Persons
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…
Country Update: Azerbaijan
This report evaluates trends relevant to freedom of religion or belief in Azerbaijan since USCIRF commissioners and staff traveled to the country in early 2020. In recent years, Azerbaijan has implemented some changes that have marked an improvement in…
USCIRF Releases Country Update on Azerbaijan
Mar 18, 2021 USCIRF Releases Country Update on Azerbaijan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a country update on religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan:…
Governments Using Shari’a to Impose Death Sentences on LGBTI Persons
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…
USCIRF Releases 2021 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
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…
2021 Annual Report
View the 2021 Annual Report          
Refugee Resettlement and Religious Freedom
Apr 30, 2021 The program to resettle refugees to the United States has existed since 1980, with strong bipartisan support. Earlier this month, President Biden signed an emergency declaration to speed up refugee admissions into…
USCIRF Concerned by Azerbaijan Religion Law Amendments, Condition of Ghazanchetsots Cathedral
May 17, 2021 USCIRF Concerned by Azerbaijan Religion Law Amendments, Condition of Ghazanchetsots Cathedral Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned that proposed…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure continued U.S. funding for Radio Azadliq, the Azerbaijani Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and the Azerbaijani Service of the…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: USAID Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Specify freedom of religion or belief as a grant category and area of activity for the U.S. Agency for …
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Government of Azerbaijan Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Religious Prisoners of Conscience Recommendation:Release prisoners of conscience—particularly those…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Government of Azerbaijan Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Permit all religious communities—particularly those located outside of Baku and those belonging to…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Government of Azerbaijan Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Reform the 2009 law on religious organizations to bring it into conformity with recommendations by the…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:The U.S. Congress should hold public hearings to investigate Azerbaijan’s religious freedom and broader human rights…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Assist the government of Azerbaijan, in collaboration with international partners, to develop an…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the government of Azerbaijan to revise the 2009 religion law to comply with international human…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Azerbaijan on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:The U.S. Congress should hold public hearings to investigate Azerbaijan’s religious freedom and broader human rights…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Allocate funding to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Embassy in Baku to restore, preserve,…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Assist the Azerbaijani government, in collaboration with international partners, to develop an alternative…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the government of Azerbaijan to revise the 2009 religion law to comply with international human…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Azerbaijan on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating…
USCIRF Conversation on the Exodus of Religious Minority Communities in Afghanistan
Jun 30 WHEN: Jun 30th 3:00pm - Jun 30th 4:00pm…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Press the Afghan government to acknowledge the significant threat to freedom of religion or belief posed…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Press the Afghan government to acknowledge the significant threat to freedom of religion or belief posed…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure the integration of religious freedom concerns with related issues such as countering religious extremism and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure the integration of religious freedom concerns with related issues such as countering religious extremism and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Urge the Afghan government to revoke the 2004 media law prohibiting “un-Islamic” writings and overturn…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Afghanistan Government Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Urge the Afghan government to revoke the 2004 media law prohibiting “un-Islamic” writings and overturn…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Afghan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Culture to ensure—and, if possible, in…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Afghanistan Government Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Afghan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Culture to ensure—and, if…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Afghan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Culture to create a civic…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Afghan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Culture to advocate for the…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Afghanistan on the State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure that protections for freedom of religion or belief are integrated into any future negotiations…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Houses of Worship Recommendation:Integrate religious freedom concerns, including the protection of houses of…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Afghan Ministries of Education, Information and Culture, and Hajj and Religious Affairs to…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:The U.S. Congress should appropriate funding specifically for the protection of freedom of religion or belief in…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Afghanistan on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Incorporate protections for freedom of religion or belief into U.S.-supported peace negotiations between…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Houses of Worship Recommendation:Integrate religious freedom concerns, including the protection of houses of…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Facilitate cooperation between faith leaders and scholars of all religions in Afghanistan to foster…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:The U.S. Congress should appropriate funding specifically for the protection of freedom of religion or belief in…
Recommendations
Status: implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: U.S. State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Religious prisioners Recommendation:Highlight religious freedom violations in specific prisoner of conscience…
Recommendations
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Travel Recommendation:Prioritize adequate coverage of religious freedom issues as well as access to…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Restrictions on religious activities Recommendation:Press the Cuban government to include in the new constitution…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Travel Recommendation:Facilitate multi-entry visas for both registered and unregistered Cuban religious leaders to…
Recommendations
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: U.S. State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Multilateral engagement Recommendation:Encourage key countries, particularly those in Latin America, to ensure…
Recommendations
Status: implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: U.S. State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Designation Recommendation:Maintain Cuba on the State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Sanctions Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Cuban government agencies and officials responsible for severe…
Recommendations
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Journalism Recommendation:Ensure that programs that support independent journalism in Cuba are responsive in…
Recommendations
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Travel Recommendation:Enable the processing of visas in Havana for religious leaders, along with activists…
Recommendations
Status: implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: U.S. State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Designation Recommendation:Maintain Cuba on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Sanctions Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Cuban government agencies and officials responsible for severe…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Public statements Recommendation:Publicly denounce violations of religious freedom and related human rights in Cuba and…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Travel Recommendation:Encourage Cuban authorities to extend an official invitation for an unrestricted visits by USCIRF…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Cuba Recommended To: Congress and the Administration Source: 2021 Annual Report Recommendation:Increase opportunities for Cuban religious leaders from both registered and unregistered religious communities…
USCIRF Condemns the Detention of Religious Leaders Amid Protests in Cuba
Jul 13, 2021 USCIRF Condemns the Detention of Religious Leaders Amid Protests in Cuba Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) denounced the detention of religious leaders during…
Lisdiani Rodríguez Isaac
Gender: Female Perpetrator: Cuba Ethnic Group: Yoruba Religion or Belief: Santería Sentence: 8 Years…