May 30, 2025
The governments of Central Asia—that is Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—influenced by decades of Soviet rule, maintain similar legislation to combat “extremism.” Each of these governments uses these laws…
Jul 24, 2025
USCIRF Delegation Traveled to Kazakhstan to Assess Religious Freedom ConditionsWashington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Vicky Hartzler and Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi visited…
In June 2025, a USCIRF delegation traveled to Kazakhstan to meet with civil society and government officials to discuss religious freedom conditions. USCIRF found that religious freedom conditions in Kazakhstan remain poor. The government maintains a…
Sep 16, 2025
Religious Freedom in Kazakhstan Remains Poor Despite Government ClaimsWashington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on Kazakhstan:Kazakhstan Country Update - In June 2025, a…
Sep 25, 2025
Congress Takes Encouraging, Bipartisan Steps on International Religious Freedom Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the introduction of H.Res 738. This resolution demonstrates…
On September 9, 2025, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a hearing: Laws Regulating Religion in Central Asia. USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler and Vice Chair Asif Mahmood led the hearing. Members of civil society…
Dec 30, 2025
In June 2025, USCIRF commissioners traveled to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to assess religious freedom conditions. During the delegation, USCIRF confirmed that both governments continue to arbitrarily apply a broad and vague legislative…
Apr 17, 2026
In Central Asia, independent media plays an essential role in shedding light on freedom of religion of belief (FoRB) violations. As a result, Central Asian governments attempt to silence independent journalists and bloggers to conceal…
Algeria continues to enforce far-reaching constraints on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), affecting both individual worshippers and organized religious groups. This publication assesses these interrelated challenges and underscores the systemic and…