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...that two years later there still have been no prosecutions stemming from Nigeria’s presidential post-election violence that killed more than 800?In April 2011, immediately following the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, more than 800 people…
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…
Click here to view USCIRF's report, Promoting and Protecting Religuous Freedom in Syria .
Apr 19, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal agency created to monitor religious freedom abuses abroad and make policy recommendations to the…
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…
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONMay 6, 2013
Beyond Boko Haram: Nigeria's History of Violence
By: Tiffany Lynch for the Council on Foreign Relations - Posted on May 6
For almost two years, stories about violence in Nigeria have focused almost exclusively…
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…
May 14, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONMay 14, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett
The following was published in the Washington Post, On Faith on May 14, 2013.
Fifteen years ago, on May 14, 1998, U.S. House of Representatives voted in…
May 16, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 16, 2013 | By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The two-year armed conflict in Syria has left at least 80,000 people dead and more than 5 million displaced. In his May 13, 2013 press conference with…
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…
...that particularly severe religious freedom violations are increasingly perpetrated by non-state actors in failing or failed states?One of the greatest emerging threats to freedom of religion or belief comes not from the actions of governments but from…
Click here to view the July 2013 Factsheet: Syria’s Refugee Crisis and its Implications
....that Boko Haram has attacked more than 40 churches since 2012?
Boko Haram, a Hausa-language name meaning “western education is a sin,” is an Islamic sect that sees the federal and northern state governments, as well as political and religious elites…
Click here to view the August 2013 Factsheet: Nigeria: Boko Haram’s Religiously-Motivated Attacks
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…
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…
Oct 18, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONOctober 4, 2013 | By Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in CNN World on October 4, 2013.
Editor's note: Robert P. George is the 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…
Dec 11, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
December 11, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon
The following op-ed appeared in Reuters & the Chicago Tribune on December 10, 2013.
December 10 marks Human Rights Day,…
Jan 15, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 14, 2014| USCIRF
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged the U.S. government to emphasize the plight of religious minorities and the protection of…
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…
Click here to view the January 2015 Factsheet: Religious Freedom and Nigeria's 2015 Elections
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…
Nigeria will hold presidential, federal parliamentary, and state parliamentary elections on March 28, 2015. The election previously was scheduled for February 14, 2015, but was pushed back due to security concerns in the north-east region of the country.…
Feb 27, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 27, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the abduction of more than 200 Assyrian Christians by militants of the…
Mar 16, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 16, 2015 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 15 marked the 4th anniversary of the protests in Damascus, Aleppo and Daraa which set the stage for the Syrian conflict. On this sad…
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)…
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…
Sep 28, 2015
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
September 28, 2015 | Daniel I. Mark and Katrina Lantos Swett
The following op-ed appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer on September 27, 2015
Washington hosted two dramatically…
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…
Dec 1, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 1, 2015
USCIRF Calls for Continued Syrian Refugee Resettlement
Rigorous individualized vetting allows the United States to both welcome Syrian refugees and protect security.…
Dec 7, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 7, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today issued the following statement:
USCIRF calls on the U.S. government to…
Mar 14, 2016
For Immediate Release
March 14, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 15 marks the 5th anniversary of the peaceful protests that set the stage for the Syrian conflict. This conflict has spawned a…
Mar 18, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MArch 18, 2016
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the State Department’s decision proclaiming that groups including Yazidis,…
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,…
USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George testified on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing entitled "Confronting the Genocide of Religious Minorities: A Way Forward."From the testimony:
"USCIRF in 2015 called on the U…
Nov 10, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As coalition forces begin the liberation of Mosul, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) notes that November 13 is the one-year…
Mar 15, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 15 marks the 6th anniversary of the start of the Syrian conflict. Since the conflict began, an estimated 400,000 people have been killed;…
Apr 27, 2017
The following op-ed appeared in the Georgetown University Berkley Forum on April 26, 2017.
The op-ed also appeared in Religious Freedom Institute: Cornerstone.
By former USCIRF Commissioner Thomas J. Reese…
Jun 9, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Commends House Passage of Genocide Accountability Act
Urges Senate Action
USCIRF declares that “the perpetrators of genocide must be held to account”
WASHINGTON, D.C. –…
Oct 5, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 5, 2017
H.R. 390: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Genocide Bill
USCIRF Chairman Mark calls committee action “a key step toward helping victims of ISIS genocide”
…
Nov 16, 2017
The following originally op-ed appeared in The Hill on November 16, 2017
By former USCIRF Commissioners Daniel Mark and Sandra Jolley
People love lists. And when those lists are in the news,…
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…
Jul 30, 2018
This op-ed originally appeared in The Hill on July 27, 2018.
By former USCIRF Commissioners Tenzin Dorjee and Kristina Arriaga
To the surprise of many, there is a foreign policy issue on which…
Nov 29, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2018
USCIRF Applauds Passage of H.R. 390 by Congress
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today applauded…
Dec 11, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018
USCIRF Welcomes President Trump Signing the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on…
The full report may be found here.
Summary of Findings
In Nigeria, a range of state and societal violations have adversely impacted religious freedom conditions in the country. As a result, since 2009, USCIRF has recommended the U.S…
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…
Jun 24
WHEN:
Jun 24th 6:59pm…
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
Jul 24
WHEN:
Jul 24th 1:00pm
-
Jul 24th 1:00pm…
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…
Additional Name(s):
Ibrahim Zakzaky
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nigeria
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a
Health Concerns:
Minor…
Additional Name(s):
Zeenatudeen
Gender:
Female
Perpetrator:
Nigeria
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of…
The full report may be found here.
For 20 years, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has monitored and evaluated religious freedom conditions in Nigeria. This year also marks 20 years since Nigeria’s return to…
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)…
Feb 11
WHEN:
Feb 11th 10:30am…
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…
Gender:
Female
Perpetrator:
Islamic State - West Africa Province (ISWAP)
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Unspecified/Other
Reports of Torture…
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 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…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Germany
Perpetrator:
Nigeria
Religion or Belief:
Humanist
Health Concerns:
High blood pressure, pain on…
Jul 25, 2020
This op-ed originally appeared in Newsweek, on July 25, 2020.
By USCIRF Vice Chair Anurima Bhargava and Commissioner Nadine Maenza
As the world passively watches, Turkey is currently amassing troops on its…
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…
Advocacy:
Op-Ed: Say Her Name: Women Persecuted for Their Religion or Belief, March 8, 2022…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Afghanistan Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Afghanistan.pdf
Language
English
Year…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Nigeria Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Nigeria.pdf
Language
English
Year
2026…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Syria Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Syria.pdf
Language
English
Year
2026…
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…
Oct 23
WHEN:
Oct 23rd 3:00pm…
Dec 10
WHEN:
Dec 10th 9:30pm…
Jun 10
WHEN:
Jun 10th 10:30am…
Aug 05
WHEN:
Aug 5th 10:30am…
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…
USCIRF ADVOCATE: Frederick A. Davie
Advocacy:
Press Release: USCIRF Commissioner Davie Calls for the Immediate…
USCIRF ADVOCATE: Frederick A. Davie
Advocacy:
Press Release: USCIRF Condemns Mubarak Bala Prison Sentence, Calls for…
Sep 29, 2020
This op-ed was originally published in The Globe Post, on September 29, 2020.
By Vice Chair Tony Perkins and Commissioner Frederick A. Davie
In the west African country of Burkina Faso, the Grand Imam of Djibo…
This factsheet explores the role that religion plays in escalating violence committed by and against Fulani communities in west and central Africa. Predominantly Muslim and historically associated with cattle herding and livestock rearing, Fulani…
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)…
Oct 21
WHEN:
Oct 21st 10:00am
-
Oct 21st 11:30am…
Oct 16, 2020
Welcome to USCIRF's new series! In USCIRF Spotlight, we discuss major topics in the news and explore how they impact religious freedom around the globe. For this week's episode, listen to what our…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
Nigeria Country Update – This country update examines religious freedom conditions in Nigeria, which remained poor in 2020. Ongoing state violations include harsh convictions for blasphemy, and discrimination against religious minorities. Non-…
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…
Jan 15, 2021
In December 2020, the U.S. Department of State designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for the first time ever due to systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nigeria
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sufi
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of Medical Neglect…
Feb 16
WHEN:
Feb 16th 2:00pm
-
Feb 16th 3:00pm…
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…
Feb 5, 2021
This op-ed was originally published by Religion News Service, on February 5, 2021.
By USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins and Commissioner Frederick A. Davie.
Last year, a Shariah court in northern…