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April 29, 2020
July 09, 2019
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
April 30, 2013
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 Act (IRFA) to monitor religious freedom abuses abroad, today released its 2013 Annual Report. The Report highlights the status of religious freedom globally and identifies those governments that are the most egregious violators.
"The state of international religious freedom is increasingly dire due to the presence of forces that fuel instability. These forces include the rise of violent religious extremism coupled with the actions and inactions of governments. Extremists target religious minorities and dissenters from majority religious communities for violence, including physical assaults and even murder. Authoritarian governments also repress religious freedom through intricate webs of discriminatory rules, arbitrary requirements and draconian edicts,” said Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, USCIRF's Chair.
The 2013 Annual Report recommends that the Secretary of State re-designate the following eight nations as "countries of particular concern” or CPCs: Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan. USCIRF finds that seven other countries meet the CPC threshold and should be so designated: Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.
"The Annual Report ultimately is about people and how their governments treat them. Violations affect members of diverse religious communities around the world, be they Rohinghya Muslims in Burma, Coptic Christians in Egypt, Buddhists, Uighur Muslims and Falun Gong in China, Baha'is in Iran, Ahmadis and Christians in Pakistan, or Muslims in Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan and in non-Muslim nations like Russia. We recommend that the White House adopt a whole-of-government strategy to guide U.S. religious freedom promotion and that Secretary of State Kerry promptly designate CPCs, before currently designated actions expire later this year,” said Lantos Swett.
In Burma, ongoing political reforms have yet to significantly improve the situation for freedom of religion and belief. Sectarian violence and severe abuses of religious freedom and human dignity targeting ethnic minority Christians and Muslims continue to occur with impunity.
In Egypt, despite some progress during a turbulent political transition, the government has failed or been slow to protect from violence religious minorities, particularly Coptic Christians. The government continues to prosecute, convict, and imprison individuals for "contempt” or "defamation” of religion, and the new constitution includes several problematic provisions relevant to religious freedom.
In both Pakistan and Nigeria, religious extremism and impunity have factored into unprecedented levels of violence that threaten the long-term viability of both nations. Targeted violence against Shi'i Muslims in Pakistan is pervasive, while repeated Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria exacerbate sectarian tensions.
"Many of these countries top the U.S. foreign policy agenda, and religion is a core component in their makeup. Successful U.S. foreign policy recognizes the critical role religious freedom plays in each of these nations and prioritizes accordingly. Religious freedom is both a pivotal human right under international law and a key factor that helps determine whether a nation experiences stability or chaos,” said Lantos Swett.
USCIRF also announced the placement of eight nations on its Tier 2 List for 2013. The Tier 2 category replaces the Watch List designation USCIRF previously used. These nations are: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos and Russia. USCIRF found the violations these governments engage in or tolerate are particularly severe, and meet at least one criterion, but not all, of IRFA's three-fold "systematic, ongoing, egregious” CPC standard.
In Russia, religious freedom conditions suffered major setbacks in the context of growing human rights abuses. In Indonesia, the country's rich tradition of religious tolerance and pluralism is seriously threatened by arrests of individuals the government considers religiously deviant and violence perpetrated by extremist groups. Federal and provincial officials, police, courts, and religious leaders often tolerate and abet the conduct of religious freedom abusers.
The USCIRF report also highlights the status of religious freedom in countries/regions that do not meet the Tier 1 (CPC) or Tier 2 threshold. These include: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Ethiopia, Turkey, Venezuela and Western Europe. The Annual Report also addresses in-depth thematic issues: Constitutional Changes; Severe Religious Freedom Violations by Non-State Actors; Laws against Blasphemy and Defamation of Religions; Imprisonment of Conscientious Objectors; Legal Retreat from Religious Freedom in Post-Communist Countries; Kidnapping and Forced Religious De-Conversion in Japan; and Religious Freedom Issues in International Organizations.
ABOUT USCIRF
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government advisory body with its commissioners appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in Congress. The 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) requires that the United States annually designate as CPCs countries whose governments have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of the universal right to freedom of religion or belief. IRFA also tasks USCIRF with assessing conditions in these and other countries and making recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress.
In accordance with IRFA, USCIRF uses international standards, as found in UN conventions and declarations, for assessing religious freedom conditions.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner please contact USCRIF at (202) 523-3258 or media@uscirf.gov
April 03, 2020
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 Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the release of Adya Expósito Leyva, the wife of Pastor Ramón Rigal.
The couple was imprisoned on April 16, 2019 for homeschooling their children based on a concern regarding Cuban schools’ promotion of socialism and atheism. They were later sentenced for crimes including “other acts against the normal development of a minor.” Pastor Rigal remains in prison serving a two-year sentence, along with independent journalist Roberto Jesus Quinones Haces, who was imprisoned for trying to cover the pair’s trial and then sentenced for the crime of “disobedience.”
“While we welcome the release of Expósito and are particularly relieved that she can be reunited with her children, we believe that she should never have been imprisoned in the first place,” said Commissioner Anurima Bhargava. “The charges brought against her and her husband are part of the Cuban government’s harassment, discrimination, and arbitrary detention of individuals simply seeking to practice their religion."
Cuban prisons are overcrowded and frequently lack sanitary conditions, which are dangerous situations amid efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic. In light of COVID-19, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almargo, called on Cuba to release political prisoners and others detained that have not committed crimes. Quinones has been named one of the most urgent cases threatening press freedom during the coronavirus crisis.
“More than ever during this global pandemic, the Cuban government must release Pastor Rigal and Roberto Jesus Quinones Haces, along with others held in Cuba for their beliefs or advocacy of religious freedom. With the coronavirus spreading on the island, the conditions in Cuban prisons are a ticking time bomb. We implore the Cuban government not to further punish individuals for their most deeply held convictions by keeping them behind bars despite the present danger,” said Commissioner Gary Bauer.
In its 2019 Annual Report, USCIRF listed Cuba as a Tier 2 country for engaging in or tolerating violations of religious freedom that meet at least one of the elements of the “systematic, ongoing, egregious” standard for designation as “country of particular concern,” or CPC, under the International Religious Freedom Act. USCIRF recently released a policy update detailing religious freedom conditions in Cuba during 2019.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at Media@USCIRF.gov or Danielle Ashbahian at dashbahian@uscirf.gov.
October 30, 2019
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 the Algerian government’s forcible closure of at least 12 Evangelical Protestant churches. While this troubling campaign began nearly two years ago, in the last seven weeks alone, authorities have closed eight churches and threatened to close at least one more. The most recent closures have included Algeria’s two largest Protestant congregations in Tizi Ouzou and Makhouda, respectively.
USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins said, “As USCIRF just last week emphasized in its hearing on protecting places of worship, a central component of religious freedom is the right of all people to maintain and access their own churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other sacred spaces. The government of Algeria must ensure this essential right for all of its people, majority and minority alike.”
“Algeria’s Evangelical Protestant Christian community deserves the same right to worship as all other Algerian citizens, according to their conscience and beliefs,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin. “This disturbing trend of church closures violates that community’s religious freedom, and we call on the government of Algeria to immediately re-open all of the closed churches and cease this campaign of harassment against the Christian community.”
In 2006, Algeria passed Ordinance 06/03 requiring non-Muslim communities to follow strict terms to register their places of worship—but the government rarely approves or even considers such applications. Since that time, the authorities periodically have forcibly closed mostly Protestant churches, but this latest campaign represents the most severe series of closures to date. Algeria is 99 percent Sunni Muslim with at least 20,000-30,000 Christians joining other religious minorities among the remaining one percent.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at Media@USCIRF.gov or call 202-523-3240.
December 09, 2019
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
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a report entitled “Apostasy, Blasphemy, and Hate Speech Laws in Africa: Implications for Freedom of Religion or Belief.” This report examines these speech restrictions and their impact on religious freedom across the African continent.
“The freedoms of religion or belief and expression or opinion, enshrined in Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights respectively, are intricately linked. This report illustrates how essential it is that we work to safeguard both rights when countering discrimination and hate,” said Chair Tony Perkins.
The report details the prevalence of problematic speech laws in more than half of the countries in Africa: at least nine countries maintain apostasy laws; 26 countries have laws against blasphemy; and 29 countries criminalize hate speech. Laws that prohibit blasphemy (the insult of a religion or religious objects or places) and apostasy (the public renunciation of one’s faith) violate international human rights law. Narrow restrictions on hate speech and its most dangerous forms, such as incitement to genocide, are permissible under international law. But, the effects of broad and vague hate speech laws have the potential to negatively impact religious freedom.
“We have seen the dangers of speech laws that fail to protect human rights in Africa – from the misapplication of hate speech laws in South Sudan to the use of the blasphemy law in Mauritania to impose a death sentence on a blogger. We urge the U.S. government to push for the repeal of blasphemy and apostasy laws in Africa, as well as for the assessment and reform of hate speech laws to conform with international standards,” said Vice Chair Gayle Manchin.
USCIRF is holding a public briefing entitled “Silencing Religious Freedom in Africa: The Impact of Speech Restrictions” to release the report on Human Rights Day, Tuesday, December 10 at 9:30 AM at 421 Cannon House Office building.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at Media@USCIRF.gov or 202-523-3240.
April 24, 2019
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) today condemned Monday’s sentencing of two Christian homeschoolers, Pastor Ramón Rigal of the Church of God in Cuba, and his wife Ayda Expósito, for refusing to send their children to government-run schools. Charged with “acting against the normal development of a minor,” Pastor Rigal has stated that his desire to homeschool his children is based on his religious beliefs and his concern about Cuban schools’ promotion of socialism and atheism.
“This crackdown on Christians homeschooling their children is part of the Cuban government’s systematic assault on religion, which includes singling out religious leaders and activists for harassment and discrimination,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga. “We urge the Cuban government to immediately cease all intimidation tactics and release Pastor Rigal and his wife along with others detained for homeschooling their children according to their religious beliefs.”
USCIRF is further alarmed that Roberto Jesus Quinones Haces, an independent lawyer who wanted to observe the trial, was detained and severely beaten. Two other fathers were recently detained for enrolling their children in the same program as Pastor Rigal’s family.
USCIRF will be speaking on religious freedom conditions in Cuba and throughout the world at the release of its 2019 Annual Report on Monday, April 29, at 10 AM. You can read more about the event here.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at Media@USCIRF.gov or Kellie Boyle at kboyle@uscirf.gov or +1-703-898-6554.
December 11, 2018
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 Protections and Omits “Freedom of Conscience”
WASHINGTON, DC – Citing reports of threats against Cuban advocates calling for stronger constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today called on the government of Cuba to honor its pledge to conduct an inclusive and legitimate constitutional process and to include language that upholds international standards for religious freedom, according to USCIRF Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga.
“The integrity of this historic process is in serious question if religious leaders are being ignored, then pressured to publicly support a new constitution that fails to protect their rights,” said Vice Chair Arriaga. “We urge the Cuban government to immediately cease all intimidation tactics and to fully consider the proposals put forth by religious organizations to ensure freedom of religion and conscience for Cubans of all faiths or none.”
The initial draft constitution produced by Cuba’s National Assembly was revealed to have omitted several points of protection for religious freedom and the words “freedom of conscience,” which had existed in the prior constitution. Also missing was language protecting religious freedom from Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Cuba signed in 2008.
“The exclusion of these tenets, the vagueness of the new language, and the current legal provisions that limit protection of religious freedom raise great concerns about the Cuban government’s commitment to ensuring this basic human right for its citizens,” said Arriaga. “This is a pivotal point in Cuba’s history when the government has the opportunity to effect real reform through its new constitution.”
Following months of gathering public input on the initial draft of the new constitution, the Constitutional Commission is reviewing proposals for changes and is expected to submit a revised draft constitution to the National Assembly for approval in January. In February 2019, Cubans will vote on the new constitution through a public referendum.
USCIRF has documented the widespread harassment of religious leaders and activists in Cuba, which continues today, in its 2018 Annual Report. USCIRF has also expressed concern that, while the current Cuban constitution guarantees freedom of religion or belief, in practice, this right is limited by other constitutional and legal provisions and the country’s Office of Religious Affairs.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at Media@USCIRF.gov or Kellie Boyle at kboyle@uscirf.gov or +1-703-898-6554.
May 09, 2017
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
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the latest harassment of Félix Yuniel Llerena López by the government of Cuba. He traveled to the United States last month – his first trip ever outside of Cuba -- to discuss the restrictive and repressive religious climate in Cuba. Félix was immediately detained and questioned on his return and forced to sign a pre-arrest warrant for public disorder. Now the University of Cuba – an arm of the Castro regime -- has expelled this promising young religious freedom leader.
Félix visited USCIRF as part of a delegation including Reverend Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso, Raudel García Bringas, and Rev. Yiorvis Bravo Denis. They discussed Cuban religious freedom conditions with USCIRF’s Chair, Father Thomas J. Reese, S.J., Vice Chairman Daniel Mark and Commissioners Kristina Arriaga, Jackie Wolcott, Tenzin Dorjee, and Sandra Jolley.
“I call on the Cuban government to immediately cease its harassment of Félix Llerena and his fellow religious freedom advocates,” stated USCIRF Chair Thomas J. Reese, S.J. “We find it most disconcerting that the Cuban government took these actions immediately after Félix visited USCIRF. They must stop these repressive actions and instruct the university to admit him immediately.”
In USCIRF’s 2017 Annual Report released last month, the Commission stated that the “Cuban government actively limits, controls, and monitors religious practice through a restrictive system of laws and policies, surveillance, and harassment.” The report also highlights that Cuba uses policies of “short-term detentions of religious leaders, demolition of churches, and threats to confiscate churches.” The Commission again placed Cuba on its Tier 2 list of countries that have serious religious freedom violations characterized by at least one of the elements of “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” violations perpetrated or tolerated by the government.
“USCIRF has been in touch with the U.S. State Department, NGOs active in Cuba, as well as other individuals inside and outside of Cuba to monitor the situation for young Félix,” said Chair Reese. “When he met with us, he described a ‘recent wave of religious-related university expulsions’ and said he feared that this fate awaited him upon his return. Félix added, however, that he intended to stay true to his faith and continue to push for religious freedom in his homeland. He now suffers the fate of many others in his country.”
To view the full USCIRF 2017 Annual Report visit www.USCIRF.gov. The Cuba chapter may be found here and the Spanish translation here.
To interview a Commissioner please contact Media@USCIRF.gov or John D. Lawrence, Director of Communications (JLawrence@USCIRF.gov/+1-202-786-0611).
December 02, 2016
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 long hard look at his legacy, especially with regard to the oppressive treatment of religion which has marked the country’s history since Castro's rise to power in 1959.
While USCIRF has noted that some improvements have been made in recent years in the area of religious freedom, our Annual Reports document the Cuban government’s continued violations. Areas of concern include: harassment of religious leaders and laity, interference in religious groups’ internal affairs, and preventing democracy and human rights activists from participating in religious activities. The government also has threatened to close and confiscate church properties and reportedly has demolished some churches.
“USCIRF hopes that the Cuban government will now act decisively to turn the page toward freedom,” said USCIRF Chair Rev. Thomas J. Reese, S.J. “Despite constitutional protections, the government actively limits and controls religious practices through restrictive laws and policies, and surveillance and harassment. There is much that needs to change for the Cuban people, and Raul Castro and other Cuban officials should be judged by their actions.”
While USCIRF does not take a position for or against the U.S embargo of Cuba, as part of the U.S.-Cuba ongoing discussions, the U.S. government should continue to emphasize that the Cuban government needs to improve religious freedom conditions on the island.
In its 2016 Annual Report, USCIRF recommends that the U.S. government should press the Cuban government to: stop arrests and harassment of religious leaders; end the practice of preventing democracy and human rights activists from attending religious services; cease interference with religious activities and religious communities’ internal affairs; allow unregistered religious groups to operate freely and legally and revise government policies that restrict religious services in homes or other personal property; lift restrictions on the building or repairing of houses of worship, holding of religious processions, importation of religious materials, and admittance of religious leaders; and hold accountable police and other security personnel for actions that violate the human rights of religious practitioners.
USCIRF placed Cuba on its Tier 2 list in its 2016 Annual Report. In Tier 2 countries, the violations the government engages in or tolerates are serious and characterized by at least one of the elements of the International Religious Freedom Act’s “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” standard. For more information, please refer to the Cuba chapter in USCIRF’s 2016 Report (in English and in Spanish).
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at media@uscirf.gov or 202-786-0615.