Displaying results 1 - 100 of 209

CIRF Urges Laos, N. Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern
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…
Public Hearing: Religious Freedom in North Korea
Longworth House Office Building, Room 1302Photo Gallery: Commission members (left to right): Richard D. Land, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Bishop William Francis Murphy, Felice D. Gaer, Executive Director Steven T. McFarland,…
North Korea: Human Rights Ground Zero:
University of California at Los Angeles January 27, 2004 Transcript Welcome and Introductory Remarks - Michael K. Young, Commission Chair and Dean, George Washington University Law School Oral Testimony Panel One Roger…
Press Conference on North Korea Report: "Thank You Father Kim Il Sung"
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM "THANK YOU FATHER KIM IL SUNG" November 15, 2005 Speakers: MICHAEL CROMARTIE, THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BISHOP RICARDO RAMIREZ, THE UNITED…
Ensure Human Rights Are on the Agenda With North Korea, Commission Urges President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2002 Contact: Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent federal agency advising the Administration…
Press Conference and Briefing on North Korea
Transcript Introductory Remarks by Chair Michael Cromartie Introductory Remarks by Commissioner Imam Talal Y. Eid Remarks by Chair Cromartie
Did You Know...North Korea
...that since 1945 North Korea’s once-diverse and vibrant religious community has largely disappeared?North Korea’s reactions to new sanctions, including its latest nuclear threats and declaration invalidating the 1953 Armistice ending the Korean War,…
USCIRF's 2013 Annual Report on the State of International Religious Freedom Identifies World's Worst Violators
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…
Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett, 2013 Annual Report, National Endowment for Democracy
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…
USCIRF Welcomes IRF Report; Calls for CPC Designations
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…
The Seattle Times -- World must pressure North Korea on human rights
Oct 27, 2014 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONOctober 27, 2014 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon The following op-ed appeared in The Seattle Times on October 24, 2014 NORTH Korea’s release of Jeffrey Fowle, imprisoned for leaving…
North Korea Must be Held Accountable for its Abysmal Human Rights Record
Dec 22, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 22, 2014 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the UN General Assembly’s passage on December 18 of a resolution that…
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…
Testimony of USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George on "The Crisis of International Religious Freedom"
USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George testified on October 27, 2015 before Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee at a hearing titled "The Global Crisis of Religious…
Tajikistan: USCIRF Criticizes Crackdown on Religious Freedom
Nov 2, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today criticized the Tajik government’s ongoing efforts to control religious activities, especially those of…
North Korea: USCIRF Urges Religious Freedom Be Included in UN Security Council Human Rights Meeting
Dec 9, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 9, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends the United States and eight other countries for requesting a meeting of the UN Security…
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,…
Religion News Service -- Today — of all days — remember the disappeared
Aug 30, 2016 FOR YOUR INFORMATION August 30, 2016 | Daniel I. Mark and Sandra Jolley The following op/ed appeared in Religion News Service on August 30, 2016   (RNS) Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was a 6-year-old boy when he…
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,…
Religious Freedom and Related Human Rights in North Korea
Click here to view the Policy Update: Religious Freedom and Related Human Rights in North Korea
USCIRF Statement on Release of New Policy Update on Religious Freedom in North Korea
Nov 30, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2018   USCIRF Statement on Release of New Policy Update on Religious Freedom in North Korea WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
State Department Names the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom
Dec 12, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2018   State Department Names the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom USCIRF Praises CPC Designation of Pakistan WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on…
USCIRF Urges President Trump to Address Religious Freedom Abuses in North Korea
Feb 27, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2019     USCIRF Urges President Trump to Address Religious Freedom Abuses in North Korea WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom…
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…
Bakhrom Kholmatov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Tajikistan Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Reports of Torture: No Reports of…
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…
Shamil Khakimov
Additional Name(s): Shamil Rasulovich Khakimov Gender: Male Current Location: Strict Regime Prison YaS 3/5 Perpetrator: Tajikistan Religion or Belief…
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  …
USCIRF Disappointed UN Security Council Did Not Discuss Religious Freedom in North Korea
Dec 16, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2019       USCIRF Disappointed UN Security Council Did Not Discuss Religious Freedom in North Korea   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on…
Sadriddin Mulloyev
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Tajikistan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni Reports of Torture: No Reports of Medical…
Khayriddin Dostakov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Tajikistan Ethnic Group: Tajik Religion or Belief: Muslim – Unspecified/Other Reports of…
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am…
Jovidon Bobojonov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Tajikistan Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: Yes…
Algeria Chapter - 2020 Annual Report
Algeria Chapter - 2020 Annual ReportAlgeria Chapter - 2020 Annual Report Arabic translation
USCIRF Commissioner James Carr Adopts Deacon Zhang Wen Shi of North Korea and Pastor A Dao of Vietnam through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
May 29, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 29, 2020 USCIRF Commissioner James Carr Adopts Deacon Zhang Wen Shi of North Korea and Pastor A Dao of Vietnam through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project Washington, DC – United States Commission on…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Human Rights Advocacy and the North Korea Nuclear Impasse
Jul 8, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases New Report about Human Rights Advocacy and the North Korea Nuclear Impasse Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
The National Interest: There Shall Be No God But Kim: Religious Freedom in North Korea
Aug 2, 2020 This op-ed originally appears in The National Interest, on August 2, 2020. By USCIRF Commissioners James W. Carr and Frederick A. Davie For years, Deacon Jang Moon Seok ministered to North Koreans…
Deacon Zhang Wen Shi
Advocacy: Event: FoRB Victims List and Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project Update, February 25, 2021…
Algeria Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Algeria Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Algeria.pdf Language English Year 2026…
North Korea Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - North Korea Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report North Korea.pdf Language English Year…
Tajikistan Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Tajikistan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Tajikistan.pdf Language English Year…
Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett, 2013 Annual Report, National Endowment for Democracy
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…
Factsheet: Conscientious Objection
Conscientious objection to military service is frequently connected to freedom of religion or belief, as many conscientious objectors are motivated by deeply-held religious beliefs. The right to conscientious objection is recognized under international…
North Korea Policy Update
Read the full report here. Religious freedom conditions in North Korea remain among the worst in the world, yet the U.S. government for decades has tended to prioritize security concerns over human rights rather than integrating the two issues as…
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…
USCIRF Hearing on Religious Freedom in Russia and Central Asia
Sep 16 WHEN: Sep 16th 10:30pm - Sep 15th 12:00pm…
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 Releases New Report about Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Nov 10, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 10, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Report about Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Countering Violent Extremism in Tajikistan
Nov 24, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Report about Countering Violent Extremism in Tajikistan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Issue…
Issue Update: Tajikistan
  Read the full Issue Update: Promoting Religious Freedom and Countering Violent Extremism in Tajikistan   This update describes Tajikistan’s official campaign to control and restrict Islamic practice, ostensibly an effort to combat the…
Zhang Wen Shi
Additional Name(s): Jang Moon Seok Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant…
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…
Rustamjon Norov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Tajikistan Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Shamil Khakimov
USCIRF ADVOCATE: Nury Turkel Advocacy: Press Release: USCIRF Vice Chair Nury Turkel Calls on Tajikistan to Release…
USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel Adopts New Religious Prisoner of Conscience from Tajikistan
Feb 24, 2021 USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel Adopts New Religious Prisoner of Conscience from Tajikistan Washington, DC –United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Nury Turkel today…
Joo Gwang Ho
Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Reports of Torture…
Chung Yong Cheol
Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Reports of Torture…
Chang Man Sik
Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Health Concerns: Stomach issues…
Lee Soo Gil
Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Reports of Torture…
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…
The Diplomat: To Prevent Violent Extremism in Tajikistan, Promote Religious Freedom
Jun 11, 2021 This op-ed was originally published by The Diplomat on June 11, 2021. By USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins and Commissioner Nury Turkel.   Tajikistan is located in a dangerous neighborhood, sharing a long border…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Freedom of Information Recommendation:Expand existing radio programming transmitted into North Korea and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Security and Human Rights Recommendation:Include, whenever possible, both the Special Envoy and the…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Fill the current vacancy and maintain the Special Envoy for North Korean t g human rights issues as a full-time…
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…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Sanctions Recommendation:Make any future discussions regarding the easing or lifting of sanctions…
recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Pressure the North Korean governmen to grant international human rights monitors unfettered access to document…
recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: Congress Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the administration to clarify the conditions under which Congress would approve the partial or complete lifting…
recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Freedom of Information Recommendation:Instruct the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s Open Technology Fund to…
recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Urge the North Korean government to grant international human rights monitors unfettered access to document…
recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Fill the current vacancy and maintain the Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues as a fulltime,…
recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: CPC status Recommendation:Redesignate North Korea as a CPC Actions Taken:The DPRK was…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: Congress Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Sanctions Recommendation:Work with the administration to clarify the conditions under which Congress would approve…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Sanctions Recommendation:Integrate security and human rights as complementary objectives in U.S. policy…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: United Nations Recommendation:Urge the North Korean government to grant international human rights…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Government positions Recommendation:Fill and maintain the position of Special Envoy for North Korean…
Recommendations
Status: implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Designate North Korea as a CPC
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…
Recommendations
Status: implemented Year: Country: Tajikistan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:The U.S. government should: redesignate Tajikistan as a CPC under IRFA and lift the waiver. Actions…
Recommendations
Status: implemented Year: Country: Tajikistan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:The U.S. government should: redesignate Tajikistan as a CPC under IRFA and lift the waiver. Actions…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Tajikistan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Condition U.S. assistance to the Tajikistani government, with the exception of aid to improve humanitarian…
Recommendations
Status: implemented Year: Country: Tajikistan Recommended To: Congress; The Administration; Other Governments Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the international community, particularly during Organization for Security…
Recommendations
Status: implemented Year: Country: Tajikistan Recommended To: Congress; The Administration; Other Governmants Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Press for at the highest levels and work to secure the immediate release of individuals…