Displaying results 1 - 100 of 120

The Philadelphia Inquirer -- Threats to religious freedom
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…
USCIRF Welcomes Release of State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report; Urges Prompt CPC Designations
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…
The Christian Science Monitor -- Pope Francis tackles Central African Republic's Christian-Muslim Divide
Nov 30, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONNovember 30, 2015 | M. Zuhdi Jasser and Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in The Christian Science Monitor on November 30, 2015 Pope Francis arrived yesterday in the troubled…
USCIRF Welcomes CPC Designations: Urges Additional Designations and Actions
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,…
The Hill: Central African Republic turns a blind eye to the persecution of Muslim minority
Sep 18, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in The Hill on September 18, 2017 By former USCIRF Commissioners Sandra Jolley and Jackie Wolcott   Addressing religious freedom violations is always hard, but when…
The Hill: The List No One Wants to Be On
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,…
The Hill: Protecting Religious Freedom Provides Common Ground for All
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…
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
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…
USCIRF Alarmed Over Systematic Church Closures in Algeria
Oct 30, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2019   USCIRF Alarmed Over Systematic Church Closures in Algeria   WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply concerned by…
USCIRF Raises Alarm about Speech Laws that Restrict Religious Freedom in More than Half of African Countries
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  …
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am…
Algeria Chapter - 2020 Annual Report
Algeria Chapter - 2020 Annual ReportAlgeria Chapter - 2020 Annual Report Arabic translation
The Globe Post: Central Africans Should Not be Denied Their Right to Vote Based on Their Faith
Aug 14, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in The Globe Post, on August 14, 2020. By USCIRF Vice Chairs Anurima Bhargava and Tony Perkins Over half-a-million Central Africans remain displaced outside of their country,…
Central African Republic Annual Report Chapters
Title 2023 Annual Report - Central African Republic Chapter File Upload Central African Republic (CAR).pdf Language English Year…
Algeria Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Algeria Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Algeria.pdf Language English Year 2026…
Kyrgyzstan Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Kyrgyzstan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Kyrgyzstan.pdf Language English Year…
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…
Silencing Religious Freedom in Africa: The Impact of Speech Restrictions
Dec 10 WHEN: Dec 10th 9:30pm…
USCIRF Update with USAID: The President’s Executive Order on International Religious Freedom
Aug 05 WHEN: Aug 5th 10:30am…
Factsheet: Fulani Communities in West and Central Africa
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…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Religious Tensions and Fulani Communities in West and Central Africa
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)…
Conversation with USCIRF: Religious Freedom in Algeria
Nov 12 WHEN: Nov 12th 11:00am - Nov 12th 12:00pm…
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 Troubled by Escalating Persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Algeria
Jan 25, 2021 USCIRF Troubled by Escalating Persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Algeria Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is troubled by reports of escalating repression…
Washington Examiner: Protect religious symbols in African conflict zones
Apr 19, 2021 Read full article This op-ed was originally published by Washington Examiner, on April 15, 2021. Written by Commissioners Frederick A. Davie and James W. Carr. 
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          
USCIRF Conversation on Ten Years after the Arab Spring: How has Religious Freedom Changed Across the Middle East?
Jun 23 WHEN: Jun 23rd 10:30am…
Factsheet: Nonbelievers in Africa
Nonbelievers in Africa Factsheet – This factsheet assesses conditions for nonbelievers in Africa, which includes those who identify as atheist, agnostic, freethinker, humanist, secularist, and individuals who do not identify with any religion. Evidence…
USCIRF Condemns Recent Court Decisions in Algeria Against Christians
Jun 23, 2021 USCIRF Condemns Recent Court Decisions in Algeria Against Christians Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned several court decisions in Algeria that restrict Christians’ religious…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Include on the Special Watch List
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Establish high-level panel on human rights protection with international stakeholders and CAR authorities…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Fund justice programs, including the SCC
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Assist CAR government in ensuring Muslims have a future in the country
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Increase humanitarian assistance
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Increase engagement with CAR authorities, the United Nations (UN), and international donors to ensure that…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Assisting the UN Security Council in sanctioning armed actors responsible for organizing and/or engaging in…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Funding programs to reestablish and professionalize CAR’s judiciary and to support the Special Criminal Court (…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Press CAR authorities to undertake initiatives to ensure that Muslims have a future in the country by:…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Increase funding for peace and security initiatives; bolster humanitarian assistance for refugees, IDPs,…
CAR Country Update
This country update examines recent progress made and ongoing challenges in CAR. Due to peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts, sectarian violence and religious targeting reduced in CAR in 2020. However, Central African religious minorities…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Central African Republic
Jun 28, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Central African Republic Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Algeria Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Recommendation:Include Algeria on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Algeria Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage U.S. Embassy officials to meet with the National Commission for Non-Muslim Religious Groups and other relevant…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Algeria Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage U.S. Embassy officials to attend and observe court proceedings on church closures and against Ahmadiyya Muslims to…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Algeria Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Recommendation:Monitor the impact of changes in the new constitution regarding freedom of conscience and advocate that the government…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Algeria Recommended To: U.S. Congress Source: 2021 Annual Report Recommendation:Hold public hearings to encourage Algeria to reverse decisions that have led to religious freedom violations and reform…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Algeria Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Include Algeria on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Algeria Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage U.S. Embassy officials to meet with the Commission for Non-Muslim Religious Groups to clarify and assess its process…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Algeria Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Condition future cultural exchange programs between the United States and Algeria on the improvement of religious freedom…
Central African Republic: From Sectarian Violence to Progress on Religious Freedom
Jul 9, 2021 In 2015, USCIRF for the first time recommended the Central African Republic (CAR) be designated by the State Department a Country of Particular Concern for systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious…
USCIRF Conversation: Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions in Algeria
Aug 31 WHEN: Aug 31st 11:00am - Aug 31st 12:00pm…
Destruction of Cemeteries Factsheet
Destruction of Cemeteries – This factsheet outlines international human rights law that defines the obligations of governments to protect the cultural heritage of religious communities’ cemeteries. Additionally, it describes specific examples…
USCIRF Releases New Factsheet on Destruction of Cemeteries
Sep 1, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Factsheet on Destruction of Cemeteries Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on the destruction of…
Hamid Soudad
Additional Name(s): حميد سوداد Gender: Male Perpetrator: Algeria Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Reports of…
Ahmadiyya Persecution Factsheet
This factsheet documents and contextualizes recent religious freedom violations against Ahmadiyya Muslims, shining a light on the worrying trend of growing state persecution of members of this community. Ahmadiyya Muslims face persecution and…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslims
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…
Algeria Country Update
This country update examines religious freedom conditions in Algeria, which have deteriorated to a degree that has led USCIRF to recommend that the U.S State Department include Algeria on its Special Watch List since 2020. Although Algeria’s…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Algeria
Oct 19, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Algeria Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Algeria…
Violations against Muslims in Africa Factsheet
This report documents trends in religious freedom violations against Muslims during the last two years. While many Muslims in Africa practice their faith in peace and harmony, some Muslims have been denied their freedom of religion or belief across the…
USCIRF Releases Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Violations against Muslims in Africa
Oct 20, 2021 USCIRF Releases Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Violations against Muslims in Africa Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new…
Suleiman Bouhafs
Additional Name(s): Slimane Bouhafs, سليمان بوحفص Gender: Male Perpetrator: Algeria Ethnic Group: Amazigh Religion or Belief: Christian –…
Ahmadiyya Muslims Face Persecution, Discrimination, and Hostility
Oct 22, 2021 The Ahmadiyya Muslim community was founded in 1889 in Punjab, India and today has an estimated tens of millions of members globally. Because of the differences between Ahmadiyya beliefs and beliefs in Sunni and Shi…
USCIRF Releases Factsheet Reiterating its Recommendations for State Department CPC and SWL Designations
Nov 5, 2021 USCIRF Releases Factsheet Reiterating its Recommendations for State Department CPC and SWL Designations Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
Algeria’s Increasing Hostility Towards Religious Minorities
Nov 5, 2021 In recent years, Algerian authorities have shown more hostility towards religious minorities, forcibly closing dozens of Protestant churches and prosecuting Ahmadiyya Muslims for gathering without authorization for…
USCIRF Appalled at Administration’s Removal of Nigeria from List of Violators of 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…
Worrying Trends for Religious Freedom in Central and Eastern Africa
Jan 21, 2022 Across central and eastern Africa there are many dynamics at play, including political crises and violent insurgencies, both of which pose challenges to freedom of religion or belief. These trends and developments…
USA Today: This Easter, don't forget about persecuted Christians around the world
Apr 16, 2022 This op-ed was originally published by USA Today on April 16, 2022. By USCIRF Commissioners Jim Carr and Fred Davie The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has long advocated for the…
USCIRF Releases 2022 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
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…
2022 Annual Report
View the 2022 Annual Report Highlights from USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report   Numbers-at-a-Glance 15 countries recommended for “country of particular concern” (CPC) designation 1 new country recommended for CPC designation 12…
The Hill: A glimmer of hope in bringing accountability to religious freedom violators abroad
Apr 25, 2022 This op-ed was originally published by The Hill on April 25, 2022. By USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza and Vice Chair Nury Turkel As the world is trying to resume some semblance of normalcy, it is abundantly clear that…
USCIRF Releases 2022 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
Apr 26, 2022 On April 25, 2022, USCIRF released its 2022 Annual Report, which documents developments in international religious freedom from 2021. The report provides recommendations to enhance the U.S. government’s promotion…
Factsheet: Global Overview of Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution
This factsheet highlights the global scale of religious persecution by providing an overview of contexts where large populations have been displaced due to persecution or violence based on religion or belief, including in Afghanistan, Burma, the Central…
Religious Freedom Backslides in Central African Republic
Jun 16, 2022 USCIRF began monitoring religious freedom conditions in Central African Republic (CAR) in 2013 when the country descended into civil conflict. After seven years of recommending that CAR be designated a country of…
Redouane Foufa
Additional Name(s): رضوان فوفة Gender: Male Perpetrator: Algeria Religion or Belief: Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light…
Khireddine Ahman
Additional Name(s): خير الدين أحمان Gender: Male Perpetrator: Algeria Religion or Belief: Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light…
Cherif Mohamed Ali
Additional Name(s): شريف محمد علي Gender: Male Perpetrator: Algeria Religion or Belief: Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light…
Law and Religion in Algeria
This factsheet highlights Algerian laws that pose risks to freedom of religion or belief. This report summarizes the intersection of law, religion, and politics in recent Algerian history. It highlights aspects of Algerian law that are inconsistent with…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Law and Religion in Algeria
Nov 4, 2022 USCIRF Releases New Report on Law and Religion in Algeria Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom conditions in Algeria: Law and…
Religious Freedom Concerns in Central Africa
This factsheet highlights challenges facing freedom of religion or belief in several countries in Central Africa, such as Central African Republic (CAR), Cameroon, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The politicization of religious identity and…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Concerns in Central Africa
Feb 9, 2023 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Concerns in Central Africa   Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Religious Freedom Concerns in…
The State of Religious Freedom in Algeria
Feb 10, 2023 In recent years USCIRF has reported that religious freedom conditions in Algeria have continued to deteriorate with the government increasingly enforcing blasphemy laws and restricting worship. These laws particularly impact religious…
Abuses Against Fulani Muslim Civilians
Across west and central Africa, escalating violence and abuses against Fulani Muslim civilians are negatively impacting religious freedom for many communities. Governments and state-backed forces in Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Central African Republic…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Abuses against Fulani Muslim Civilians
Apr 27, 2023 USCIRF Releases New Report on Abuses against Fulani Muslim Civilians Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on abuses against Fulani Muslim civilians…
USCIRF Releases 2023 Annual Report Highlighting Worsening Religious Freedom Conditions Around the World
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,…
2023 Annual Report
View the 2023 Annual Report Highlights from USCIRF’s 2023 Annual Report   Numbers-at-a-Glance 17 countries recommended for “country of particular concern” (CPC) designation 2 new countries recommended for CPC designation 11…
USCIRF Welcomes the Release of State Department’s 2022 International Religious Freedom Report
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…
USCIRF Releases Updated Blasphemy Factsheet and Blasphemy Law Compendium
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…
25th Anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act
In October 1998, the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) elevated freedom of religion or belief as a U.S. foreign policy priority. This landmark law mandates that U.S. policy include condemning violations of religious freedom abroad and assisting…
Anti-Conversion Laws Compendium
This report documents the text of the 73 national anti-conversion laws on the books around the world. In total, 46 countries have at least one national anti-conversion law in force.  Four types of national anti-conversion laws are documented: anti-…
USCIRF Releases Report on National Level Anti-Conversion Laws around the World
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-…
USCIRF Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern
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…
USCIRF Calls Attention to Prevalence of Anti-Muslim Hate Around the World
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…
USCIRF Releases 2024 Annual Report with New Recommendations for U.S. Policy
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…
2024 Annual Report
Highlights from USCIRF’s 2024 Annual Report Numbers-at-a-Glance 17 countries recommended for “country of particular concern” (CPC) designation 1 new country recommended for CPC designation 11 countries recommended for the State Department’s “Special…