Displaying results 1 - 100 of 115

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.  …
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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:…
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: 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…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Include Bahrain 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: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Publish an updated assessment of Bahrain’s compliance with the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report, with…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Continue to provide guidance and training for Bahrain’s security services to prepare for Ashura observances in ways that protect…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: U.S. Congress Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Highlight in religious freedom and human rights-related hearings and other official proceedings Bahrain’s treatment of…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Bahrain Country Update Recommendation:The United States should continue to raise these restrictions on religious freedom with Bahrain’s government…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Bahrain Recommended To: U.S. Congress Recommendation:When the next administration nominates a new U.S. ambassador to Bahrain, Congress should examine as part of the confirmation process what steps they will take…
Destruction of Cemeteries Factsheet
Destruction of Cemeteries – This factsheet outlines international human rights law that defines the obligations of governments to protect the cultural heritage of religious communities’ cemeteries. Additionally, it describes specific examples…
USCIRF Releases New Factsheet on Destruction of Cemeteries
Sep 1, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Factsheet on Destruction of Cemeteries Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on the destruction of…
USCIRF Releases Factsheet Reiterating its Recommendations for State Department CPC and SWL Designations
Nov 5, 2021 USCIRF Releases Factsheet Reiterating its Recommendations for State Department CPC and SWL Designations Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
Religious Tolerance Efforts in the Middle East
Nov 16, 2021 The United Nations marks November 16 each year as the International Day for Tolerance. Religious tolerance is one key component of tolerance overall. Governments in the Middle East have increasingly espoused a doctrine of religious tolerance…
Movsum Samadov
Additional Name(s): Movsum Mardan oglu Samadov Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a…
Abqul Suleymanov
Additional Name(s): Abgul Suleymanov, Abgul Neymat oglu Suleymanov Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a…
Elshan Mustafaoglu
Additional Name(s): Elshan Mustafaoglu Mustafayev Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a…
Elvin Muradov
Additional Name(s): Elvin Mürvətoğlu Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a Reports…
Ahsan Nuruzade
Additional Name(s): Ahsan Muzaffar oglu Nuruzade Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a…
2022 Annual Report
View the 2022 Annual Report Highlights from USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report   Numbers-at-a-Glance 15 countries recommended for “country of particular concern” (CPC) designation 1 new country recommended for CPC designation 12…
Razi Humbatov
Additional Name(s): Razi Gumbatov Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a Reports of…
Seymur Mammadov
Additional Name(s): Seymur Afqan oglu Mammadov Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Elshan Abbasov
Additional Name(s): Эльшан Аббасов Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a…
Shamkhal Eyvazov
Additional Name(s): Şamhal Eyvazov Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a Reports…
Royal Karimov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Shahin Gadirov
Additional Name(s): Şahin Qədirov Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a Reports of…
Tolerance, Religious Freedom, and Authoritarianism
Tolerance, Religious Freedom, and Authoritarianism – This report details how authoritarian states promote religious tolerance without necessarily ensuring freedom of religion or belief. It distinguishes between these two concepts and explains the…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Tolerance Promotion and Religious Freedom
Dec 13, 2022 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Tolerance Promotion and Religious Freedom Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Tolerance, Religious Freedom…
Differences Between Religious Tolerance and Religious Freedom
Jan 5, 2023 Authoritarian states promote religious tolerance without necessarily ensuring freedom of religion or belief. Last month, USCIRF released a report distinguishing between these two concepts and explains the origins of religious tolerance…
USCIRF Releases 2023 Annual Report Highlighting Worsening Religious Freedom Conditions Around the World
May 1, 2023 USCIRF Releases 2023 Annual Report Highlighting Worsening Religious Freedom Conditions Around the World Includes new recommendations of Cuba and Nicaragua as Countries of Particular Concern and Sri Lanka for the Special Watch List Washington,…
2023 Annual Report
View the 2023 Annual Report Highlights from USCIRF’s 2023 Annual Report   Numbers-at-a-Glance 17 countries recommended for “country of particular concern” (CPC) designation 2 new countries recommended for CPC designation 11…
USCIRF Welcomes the Release of State Department’s 2022 International Religious Freedom Report
May 15, 2023 USCIRF Welcomes the Release of State Department’s 2022 International Religious Freedom Report Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends the State Department…
USCIRF Releases Updated Blasphemy Factsheet and Blasphemy Law Compendium
Sep 14, 2023 USCIRF Releases Updated Blasphemy Factsheet and Blasphemy Law Compendium Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released two new reports: Legislation Factsheet on Blasphemy – This…
25th Anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act
In October 1998, the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) elevated freedom of religion or belief as a U.S. foreign policy priority. This landmark law mandates that U.S. policy include condemning violations of religious freedom abroad and assisting…
Anti-Conversion Laws Compendium
This report documents the text of the 73 national anti-conversion laws on the books around the world. In total, 46 countries have at least one national anti-conversion law in force.  Four types of national anti-conversion laws are documented: anti-…
USCIRF Releases Report on National Level Anti-Conversion Laws around the World
Nov 28, 2023 USCIRF Releases Report on National Level Anti-Conversion Laws around the World Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Compendium of National Anti-…
Azerbaijan Country Update
This report provides an update on religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan in 2023. Although Azerbaijan has in recent years ceased some problematic practices regarding state interference in its people’s practice of their religion or beliefs, the…
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Azerbaijan
Dec 5, 2023 USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Azerbaijan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan:…
USCIRF Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern
Jan 4, 2024 USCIRF Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern Azerbaijan Added to State Department’s Special Watch List Washington, DC – The United States Commission on…
Gubad Ibadoglu
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Unspecified Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes…
Vusal Alish
Additional Name(s): Vüsal Alış, Vusal Nadir oglu Alishov Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a…
Ismayil Ismayilov
Additional Name(s): Ismayil Nizami oglu Ismayilov Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a…
Rashad Aliyev
Additional Name(s): Aliyev Rashad Sayadulla oghlu Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a…
Elshan Rahimov
Additional Name(s): Elshan Akif oglu Rahimov Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a…
Javid Allahverdiyev
Additional Name(s): Javid Maharram oglu Allahverdiyev Gender: Male Perpetrator: Azerbaijan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a…