Displaying results 1 - 100 of 177

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
Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett at the Announcement of the Defending Freedoms Project
USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett made the following remarks at the announcement of the Defending Freedoms Project on December 6, 2012, a project of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, in conjunction with USCIRF and Amnesty International USA.  …
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,…
Roll Call -- Bahrain's Choice
Mar 18, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONMarch 18, 2013| By: Katrina Lantos Swett and M. Zuhdi Jasser The following op-ed appeared in Roll Call on March 15, 2013. While the world remains riveted to Egypt"s challenges and Syria"s…
USCIRF Letter to Secretary Kerry on the Sixteenth Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent the following letter to Secretary of State Kerry on April 12, 2013. The Honorable John F. Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Department of State Washington, DC 20520 Dear Secretary Kerry: I…
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…
Did You Know...Defending Freedoms Project
…that the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, in conjunction with USCIRF and Amnesty International USA, has launched the Defending Freedoms Project to increase attention to and support for human rights and religious freedom around the world?Through the…
Global Post -- Why religious freedom can strengthen security and stability in Bahrain
Apr 14, 2014 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONApril 14, 2014 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and M. Zuhdi Jasser The following op-ed appeared in the Global Post on April 10, 2014. WASHINGTON — Last week's Formula 1 automotive racing event…
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…
AZERBAIJAN: Government Must Free Prisoners of Conscience
Aug 24, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the violations of religious freedom and human rights taking place in Azerbaijan.…
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…
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…
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…
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am…
USCIRF Releases New Reports on Religious Freedom Conditions in Bahrain and Iraq
Feb 13, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  February 13, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Reports on Religious Freedom Conditions in Bahrain and Iraq Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Bahrain Country Update
Read the full report here.This report highlights improvements and notes areas of concern regarding religious freedom in Bahrain in 2019. While Bahrain continues to allow freedom of worship to most religious groups, Shi’a Bahrainis face systematic and…
USCIRF Delegation Travels to Azerbaijan to Assess Religious Freedom Conditions
Mar 9, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 2020 USCIRF Delegation Travels to Azerbaijan to Assess Religious Freedom Conditions Washington, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Vice Chairs…
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 Commends Bahrain for Release of Prisoner of Conscience Nabeel Rajab
Jun 9, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Commends Bahrain for Release of Prisoner of Conscience Nabeel Rajab Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today commended the government of…
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…
Azerbaijan Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Azerbaijan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Azerbaijan.pdf Language English Year…
2020 Annual Report Bahrain Chapter
Title Bahrain Chapter - 2020 Arabic Translation File Upload Bahrain_Arabic_0.pdf Language Arabic Year 2020…
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…
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…
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing Protecting Houses of Worship and Holy Sites
Oct 23 WHEN: Oct 23rd 3:00pm…
USCIRF Update with USAID: The President’s Executive Order on International Religious Freedom
Aug 05 WHEN: Aug 5th 10:30am…
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…
Country Update: Bahrain
Click here for the Bahrain Country Update  This country update examines religious freedom conditions in Bahrain. Throughout 2020, Bahrain continued to systematically restrict religious freedom for its Shi’a Muslim population. The government…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Bahrain
Dec 17, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Bahrain Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious…
Zhang Wen Shi
Additional Name(s): Jang Moon Seok Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant…
Country Update: Azerbaijan
This report evaluates trends relevant to freedom of religion or belief in Azerbaijan since USCIRF commissioners and staff traveled to the country in early 2020. In recent years, Azerbaijan has implemented some changes that have marked an improvement in…
USCIRF Releases Country Update on Azerbaijan
Mar 18, 2021 USCIRF Releases Country Update on Azerbaijan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a country update on religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan:…
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 Concerned by Azerbaijan Religion Law Amendments, Condition of Ghazanchetsots Cathedral
May 17, 2021 USCIRF Concerned by Azerbaijan Religion Law Amendments, Condition of Ghazanchetsots Cathedral Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned that proposed…
Bahrain Takes Steps to Improve Religious Freedom
Jun 4, 2021 For the first time in years, Bahrain was not included in the list of countries that USCIRF recommends for the State Department’s Special Watch List (SWL). The government of Bahrain has made incremental improvements…
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…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure continued U.S. funding for Radio Azadliq, the Azerbaijani Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and the Azerbaijani Service of the…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: USAID Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Specify freedom of religion or belief as a grant category and area of activity for the U.S. Agency for …
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Government of Azerbaijan Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Religious Prisoners of Conscience Recommendation:Release prisoners of conscience—particularly those…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Government of Azerbaijan Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Permit all religious communities—particularly those located outside of Baku and those belonging to…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Government of Azerbaijan Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Reform the 2009 law on religious organizations to bring it into conformity with recommendations by the…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:The U.S. Congress should hold public hearings to investigate Azerbaijan’s religious freedom and broader human rights…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Assist the government of Azerbaijan, in collaboration with international partners, to develop an…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the government of Azerbaijan to revise the 2009 religion law to comply with international human…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Azerbaijan on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:The U.S. Congress should hold public hearings to investigate Azerbaijan’s religious freedom and broader human rights…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Allocate funding to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Embassy in Baku to restore, preserve,…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Assist the Azerbaijani government, in collaboration with international partners, to develop an alternative…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the government of Azerbaijan to revise the 2009 religion law to comply with international human…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Azerbaijan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Azerbaijan on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating…
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…
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…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Urge the Bahraini government to clarify the terms and enforcement of the 2016 amendment to article 5 of the 2005 Political…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the Bahraini government to continue to implement reforms consistent with the Bahrain Indepen-dent Commission of…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Press the Bahraini government to enforce existing laws, including Royal Decree 36 of 2012 and Royal Decree 95 of 2018,…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Continue to train security officials, prosecutors, and judges to better address sectarian violence and incitement by enhancing…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Press Bahrain’s government to ensure freedom of religion and reduce sec-tarian incitement by passing the bill pending in the…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Bahrain Country Update Recommendation:Release an updated assessment of the Bahraini government’s implementation of the BICI reportrecommendations, with a…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Bahrain Country Update Recommendation:Continue to provide guidance and training for Bahrain’s security services to prepare for Ashura observances in ways…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: U.S. Congress Source: 2019 Bahrain Country Update Recommendation:Continue to conduct periodic fact-finding missions and congressional delegation trips to Bahrain to assess religious…