Displaying results 1 - 100 of 318

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2000 Contact: Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240 (202) 523-3240 (202) 523-3240 The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom wrote Friday, July 28 to Secretary of State Madeleine…
By Felice D. Gaer, Chair U.S. Commission On International Religious Freedom for the Congressional Human Rights Caucus August 1, 2002 Expert witnesses take questions from the audience. Left to right: Rabbi Abraham Cooper, HRC Co-Chair Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA…
Laos Chapter - 2015 Annual ReportLaos Chapter - 2015 Annual Report (Lao Translation) Laos Chapter - 2014 Annual Report Laos Chapter - 2014 Annual Report (Lao Translation) Laos Chapter - 2013 Annual Report Laos Chapter Summary - 2013 Annual…
May 3, 2006 U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING RELEASE OF 2006 ANNUAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE ON COUNTRIES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 16, 2008 Contact: Judith Ingram, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 127 [email protected] The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is concerned about the status of Baha'i and…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Judith Ingram, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 127 [email protected] WASHINGTON-The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom welcomes the release of four Baha"is from a Yemeni…
Western Europe Chapter - 2014 Annual ReportWestern Europe Chapter - 2013 Annual Report
Title 2025 Annual Report - Sri Lanka Chapter File Upload Sri Lanka 2025 USCIRF Annual Report.pdf Language English Year 2025…
Sep 1, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – As President Obama soon will visit Laos to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, the U.S. Commission on International…
Jan 23, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in Philadelphia Inquirer on January 23, 2017 By former USCIRF Commissioners Thomas J. Reese and Daniel Mark   As our nation commemorated National Religious Freedom Day on Jan…
Jan 27, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in Deseret News on January 27, 2017 By former USCIRF Commissioners Clifford D. May and Tenzin Dorjee   As the world commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day,…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 25, 2017 YEMEN: Release Baha’i Prisoners of Conscience in Yemen USCIRF Calls on Houthis to Cease Harassment of Baha’is   WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 30, 2018 YEMEN: USCIRF Condemns Death Sentence for Baha’i USCIRF Chairman Mark calls sentence “unjust and a dangerous precedent for the treatment of religious minorities” in Yemen   WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States…
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…
Aug 27, 2018 This op-ed originally appeared in The Globe Post on September 18, 2018. By former Commission Chair Daniel Mark Hamed bin Haydara, a leader of the Baha’i faith in Yemen, has been imprisoned…
Oct 29, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2018     USCIRF Calls on Yemen to Release Persecuted Baha’is The accused include eight women and a teenage girl and the penalty for many is death WASHINGTON, DC — Tenzin…
Jan 3, 2019 WASHINGTON, DC – Andy Khawaja, Commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), today announced his adoption of Hamid Kamal Mohammad bin Haydara, a Yemeni member of the Baha’i…
Jul 1, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              July 1, 2019   USCIRF Calls on Houthi Court in Yemen to Overturn Death Sentence for Religious Prisoner of Conscience Hamid bin Haydara…
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
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Oct 9, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2019 USCIRF Responds to Yom Kippur Attack in Germany   Washington, DC (Oct. 9, 2019) –  Based on emerging reports of the killing of at least two people near a…
Oct 13, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 2019   WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is alarmed over reports that a Houthi court in Yemen may deport and confiscate the assets…
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…
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 24, 2019 USCIRF Welcomes the State Department’s Designations of the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom Hopes to See Strong Action in Response WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious…
Jan 24, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2020   USCIRF Honors International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Cautions Against Rising Anti-Semitism   WASHINGTON, DC – On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January…
Mar 23, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2020 USCIRF Deplores Houthi Order to Execute Hamid bin Haydara and Dissolve Baha’i Institutions in Yemen Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious…
Mar 28, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in the Arkansas Gazette on Saturday, March 28, 2020.By Gayle Manchin and James W. Carr How far can a government limit religious freedom in the name of fighting the coronavirus…
Apr 6, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in Opinio Juris on Monday, April 6, 2020. By Gayle Manchin and James W. Carr How far can a government limit religious freedom in the name of fighting the coronavirus (…
Apr 9, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2020 USCIRF Calls on Houthis in Yemen to Abide by Commitment to Release Hamid bin Haydara Washington DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges…
Additional Name(s): حامد بن حيدرة Gender: Male Perpetrator: Houthis Religion or Belief: Bahá`í Reports of Torture:…
      U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom 2020 Annual Report Release Tuesday, April 28, 2020 Virtual Release Press Conference Transcript Virtual Launch Transcript On April 28, 2020, USCIRF released its 2020 Annual…
Algeria Chapter - 2020 Annual ReportAlgeria Chapter - 2020 Annual Report Arabic translation
Read the full report here.This report provides a country update on religious freedom conditions in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In 2016, the Lao government updated its regulation of religious freedom with the Decree on Management and Protection…
May 6, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   May 6, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Laos Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
Jun 2, 2020 USCIRF Applauds Executive Order to Advance International Religious Freedom Washington, DC –The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order on…
Published Op-ed Jun 15, 2020 This op-ed was originally published by Forward, on June 15, 2020 By USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin, USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer, and Senator James Lankford   While the United States was celebrating…
Jun 16, 2020 Gayle Manchin Elected as Chair of Bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Tony Perkins and Anurima Bhargava as Vice Chairs Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today elected…
Jun 19, 2020 USCIRF Welcomes Senator Charles Schumer’s Appointment of Frederick A. Davie to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Washington, DC – Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced on June 17…
Jun 25, 2020 This op-ed was originally published by Newsweek, on June 25, 2020. By USCIRF Commissioners Nury Turkel and Johnnie Moore   Human rights activists don’t often think first of countries like France, Germany,…
Jul 31, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Commends Release of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Hamid Bin Haydara and 5 Other Baha’is in Yemen Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
USCIRF ADVOCATE: Johnnie Moore Advocacy: USCIRF Condemns Houthis for Summoning 19 Baha’is to Stand Trial on Spurious…
Title 2026 Annual Report - Algeria Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Algeria.pdf Language English Year 2026…
Title Laos Chapter - 2019 Lao Translation File Upload Laos 2019_Lao translation.pdf Language Lao Year 2019…
Aug 21, 2020 USCIRF Calls for Action on UN International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recognizes the United Nations’…
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Sep 22, 2020 USCIRF Urges Administration to Increase Refugee Resettlement Ceiling Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today reiterated its recommendation that the U.S.…
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Oct 3, 2020 This op-ed was originally published in The Hill, on October 2, 2020. By USCIRF Commissioners Gary Bauer and Nury Turkel   Late last month, Belarusian officials blocked Catholic Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz…
Click here for the Ritual Slaughter Restrictions in Europe Factsheet.   This factsheet shows the spectrum of restrictions on ritual slaughter in Europe, and provides information on the impact that such regulations have on religious freedom in…
Oct 7, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2020 USCIRF Releases Ritual Slaughter Factsheet Highlighting Range of Restrictions across Europe Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Click here for the Factsheet on Attacks in Burkina Faso.    In the context of the upcoming presidential election in Burkina Faso scheduled for November 22, 2020, this factsheet details the drivers of and responses to attacks against religious…
Oct 9, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases New Report about Attacks against Houses of Worship and Religious Leaders in Burkina Faso Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
Oct 9, 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…
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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…
Nov 17, 2020     The United Nations system has several structures and entities that were created to address human rights concerns globally, many of which are relevant to universal right to freedom of religion or…
Dec 11, 2020 USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Brunei Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a new report on ongoing religious freedom issues in Brunei: Brunei Factsheet –…
Click here to read the Brunei Factsheet   This factsheet highlights ongoing religious freedom issues in Brunei, primarily focusing on the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013, which came into effect on April 3, 2019. Although Brunei has had a dual legal…
Dec 15, 2020       Several religious groups, including followers of Judaism and Islam, mandate that animals are uninjured (unstunned) prior to killing. However, nearly a third of European countries limit…
Dec 30, 2020       Since it's independence in 1984, Brunei has operated with a dual legal system: one secular and one Shari’a, the latter only enforceable for Bruneian Muslims. However, the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013 blurs…
Click here for the Factsheet on Key U.S. Government IRF Positions This factsheet provides an overview of the key political appointments within the U.S. government that have the most relevance to international religious freedom (IRF). The primary IRF…
Jan 15, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report about Key U.S. Government IRF Vacancies for Biden Administration to Fill Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
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…
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Feb 5, 2021 USCIRF Welcomes Announcement that Refugee Ceiling will Increase Next Fiscal Year Encourages Prioritization of the Most Vulnerable Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Feb 11, 2021 USCIRF Condemns Houthis for Summoning 19 Baha’is to Stand Trial on Spurious Charges Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned Houthi authorities for…
Mar 2, 2021 USCIRF Applauds U.S. Senate Bipartisan Efforts to Create the Senate Human Rights Commission Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds the reintroduction of a…
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Factsheet on Controlling Civil Society’s Purse Strings – Around the globe, some governments misuse financial restrictions to hamper civil society actors, which can negatively impact religious communities. This factsheet explores the religious freedom…
Mar 30, 2021 USCIRF Highlights Impact of Financial Restrictions on Civil Society Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following factsheet on the impact of…
View PDF Jews around the world face government and societal obstacles, which can often contribute to feelings of insecurity and ostracization. This report focuses on levels of antisemitism in 11 countries in Europe based on three factors: the…
Apr 14, 2021 USCIRF Releases Report on Antisemitism in Europe and Implications for U.S. Policy Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a new report titled “…
Apr 20, 2021 USCIRF Reiterates its Call to Urgently Increase the Refugee Ceiling Encourages Prioritization of the Most Vulnerable WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) joins in the…
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…
View the 2021 Annual Report          
Apr 22, 2021 USCIRF released its 2021 Annual Report documenting developments over the past year, and providing policy recommendations to enhance the U.S. government’s promotion of freedom of religion or belief abroad. In its…
Apr 26, 2021 Read full article This op-ed was originally published by Newsweek, on April 26, 2021.
May 3, 2021 USCIRF Congratulates Outgoing Chair, Gayle Manchin, Welcomes New Chair, Anurima Bhargava Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) congratulated its former Chair Gayle Manchin…
May 4, 2021 USCIRF Welcomes President Biden’s Announcement to Raise the Refugee Ceiling Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes President Joseph R. Biden’s announcement…
View PDF Central Sahel Factsheet – Over the past half decade, violent Islamist groups have gained ground in the central Sahel region of west Africa by controlling territory and conducting attacks in the tri-border region between…
May 5, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report on Violent Islamist Groups in the Central Sahel Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on…
May 12, 2021 USCIRF Welcomes the Release of State Department’s 2020 International Religious Freedom Report   Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) congratulates the State…
May 14, 2021 The central Sahel region of West Africa is currently home to an extremely complex and fluid landscape of Islamist insurgent actors that stem from both locally grown and foreign movements. Several violent insurgent…
May 14, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2021 USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel Makes Fortune's List of World's 50 Greatest Leaders Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Jun 11, 2021 The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief is an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. The Special Rapporteur identifies existing and emerging obstacles to the…
Jun 11, 2021 USCIRF Releases Factsheet Highlighting Nonbelievers in Africa Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report highlighting the…
Jun 15, 2021 Nadine Maenza Elected as Chair of Bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Nury Turkel as Vice Chair Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…