Displaying results 1 - 100 of 192

Hearings on Religious Persecution in Sudan February 15, 2000 (Note: These are unedited and uncorrected transcripts) Commission members (left to right) Firuz Kazemzadeh, Nina Shea, Executive Director Steven McFarland, Chair David Saperstein, Vice…
...that Sudan repeatedly has used its apostasy law over the past two years against Christians and Muslims?Apostasy is the formal abandonment, or renunciation, of a religious faith. Under Article 126 of Sudan’s 1991 Criminal Act, apostasy from Islam is…
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…
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…
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…
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…
...that approximately 500,000 South Sudanese in Sudan are stateless?The status of South Sudanese in Sudan became precarious after South Sudan achieved independence on July 9, 2011. While South Sudan has offered citizenship to Sudanese residents, the…
Nov 8, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONNovember 7, 2013 | By Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on November 7, 2013. As the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of…
Click here to view the November 2013 Policy Brief,Sudan's Enduring Question: The Role of Shari'ah in the Constitution and Law
The Sudanese government’s imposition of Shari’ah countrywide in 1983, including on the predominantly animist and Christian South, significantly contributed to the onset of Sudan’s 20 year North-South civil war. Today, concerns about Shari’ah being central…
Nov 27, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONNovember 26, 2013 | By Robert P. George The following op-ed appeared in the Washington Times on November 25, 2013. WASHINGTON,November 24, 2013 - Earlier this fall, a Sudanese business owner and…
May 16, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 16, 2014 | USCIRF The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the death sentence against Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, a Sudanese Christian woman…
Jun 25, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 25, 2014 | USCIRF The U.S. Commission on  International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is gravely concerned about the Sudanese government’s arrest of Meriam Ibrahim Ishag on document…
USCIRF Vice Chair Dr. Zuhdi Jasser testified on July 23 before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations of the House Foreign Affairs Committee at a hearing entitled “The Troubling Case of Meriam…
Jun 1, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 1, 2015 Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the continuing prosecution of Rev. Yat Michael and Rev. Peter Reith who face the death…
Aug 6, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 6, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom welcomes yesterday’s release from detention of Rev. Yat Michael Ruot and Rev. Peter Yein Reith.  Rev.…
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.…
Sep 28, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATION September 28, 2015 | Daniel I. Mark and Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer on September 27, 2015 Washington hosted two dramatically…
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…
Nov 30, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONNovember 30, 2015 | M. Zuhdi Jasser and Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in The Christian Science Monitor on November 30, 2015 Pope Francis arrived yesterday in the troubled…
Dec 21, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 21, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the Sudanese government for charging 25 Muslims with apostasy and public…
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,…
Jun 22, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2017   SUDAN:  USCIRF Urges Secretary of State to Maintain Sanctions “Sudan has not shown sufficient progress on allowing greater religious freedom” WASHINGTON, D.C. –…
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent the following letter to Secretary Tillerson on May 30, 2017. Click here to read a PDF version of the letter.  The Honorable Rex Tillerson Secretary of State 2201 C Street, NW…
Sep 18, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in The Hill on September 18, 2017 By former USCIRF Commissioners Sandra Jolley and Jackie Wolcott   Addressing religious freedom violations is always hard, but when…
Oct 7, 2017 USCIRF Chairman Mark says “Sudan is an egregious violator of religious freedom”  WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is disappointed by the decision to permanently…
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,…
Click here to view the June 2018 Country Update: Sudan
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…
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…
Jan 28, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 28, 2019   USCIRF Denounces Violence Against Demonstrators in Sudan   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned…
Jun 18, 2019 For Immediate Release June 18, 2019     USCIRF Encouraged by Appointment of Special Envoy to Sudan, Urges Close Scrutiny of Religious Freedom During Transition   Washington, DC -- In response to an…
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
Aug 17, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 2019   USCIRF Applauds Sanctions on Salah Gosh for Gross Human Rights Violations   WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, August 14, 2019, the U.S. Department of State publicly…
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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  …
Mar 2, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2020 USCIRF Delegation Travels to Sudan to Assess Post-Revolution Progress toward Greater Religious Freedom Washington, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
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…
Mar 16, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 17, 2020 USCIRF Commends Sudan’s Disbanding of Former Regime-Appointed Church Councils Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends…
May 5, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020 USCIRF Commends the Criminalization of FGM in Sudan Washington, DC - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomed the decision of the Sudanese transitional…
Jun 4, 2020 This op-ed was originally published by Deseret News, on June 4, 2020. By USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins and Vice Chair Gayle Manchin   Sitting across the table from Sudan’s new prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, in…
Jun 7, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared on Newsweek By USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins and Vice Chair Gayle Manchin.  From the coronavirus pandemic to the use of surveillance, freedom of religion or belief…
Jun 29, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Applauds the U.S. Government Pledge to Support the Democratic Transition in Sudan Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends the U.S.…
Jul 15, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   USCIRF Applauds Sudan’s Repeal of Apostasy Law through Passage of New Fundamental Rights and Freedoms Act Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Aug 14, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in The Globe Post, on August 14, 2020. By USCIRF Vice Chairs Anurima Bhargava and Tony Perkins Over half-a-million Central Africans remain displaced outside of their country,…
Aug 13, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in the Washington Examiner, on August 13, 2020. By USCIRF Vice Chairs Tony Perkins and Anurima Bhargava Earlier this year, we joined hundreds gathered under a large tent outside…
Title 2023 Annual Report - Central African Republic Chapter File Upload Central African Republic (CAR).pdf Language English Year…
Title 2026 Annual Report - Azerbaijan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Azerbaijan.pdf Language English Year…
Title Sudan Chapter - 2020 Arabic Translation File Upload Sudan_Arabic.pdf Language Arabic Year 2020…
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…
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…
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Sep 4, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Policy Update Highlighting One Year of Progress Advancing Religious Freedom in Sudan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
Click here for the Sudan Policy Update   The Sudanese transitional government has made a number of significant religious freedom reforms during the past year. This policy update examines religious freedom conditions in Sudan after the 2019…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases New Policy Update Highlighting One Year of Progress Advancing Religious Freedom in Sudan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new…
This factsheet explores the role that religion plays in escalating violence committed by and against Fulani communities in west and central Africa. Predominantly Muslim and historically associated with cattle herding and livestock rearing, Fulani…
Oct 1, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases New Report about Religious Tensions and Fulani Communities in West and Central Africa Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Oct 30, 2020 Sudan has been in the news most recently with the announcement by the United States government of its intent to remove Sudan from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. In this week's USCIRF Spotlight, we explore…
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…
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Click here to view the report Violating Rights: Enforcing the World’s Blasphemy Laws USCIRF’s groundbreaking report examines the enforcement of blasphemy laws worldwide. Blasphemy laws criminalize expressions that insults or offends religious doctrines.…
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…
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:…
Apr 19, 2021 Read full article This op-ed was originally published by Washington Examiner, on April 15, 2021. Written by Commissioners Frederick A. Davie and James W. Carr. 
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          
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…
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Nonbelievers in Africa Factsheet – This factsheet assesses conditions for nonbelievers in Africa, which includes those who identify as atheist, agnostic, freethinker, humanist, secularist, and individuals who do not identify with any religion. Evidence…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Sanctions Sudanese government officials responsible for religious freedom violation 
Status: implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Appoint a Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan and ensure that religious freedom is a priority for that office…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: Sudanese Government Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Repeal apostasy, blasphemy, and other laws violating freedom of religion or belief and related human rights…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: Sudanese Government Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Press Sudan to lift government prohibitions on church construction, issue permits for the building of new churches,…
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Revive and strengthen the Commission on the Rights of Non-Muslims to protect religious freedom for non-…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: Sudanese Government Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Hold accountable any person who engages in violations of freedom of religion or belief Actions Taken:Sudan…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Draft and pass a resolution to condemn religious freedom and related human rights violations committed by the Sudanese…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Maintain Sudan as Special Watch List  Actions Taken:The State Department maintained Sudan on the…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: USAID Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Provide funding to the Ministry of Education  Actions Taken:USAID pledged a total of $356 million to support Sudan's…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: USAID Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Allocate funding to Sudan's transitional government  Strategy:USAID pledged a total of $356 million to support Sudan's…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Create a high-level international advisory body for human rights and encourage Sudan to invite the United Nations (…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Sudan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Remove Sudan as Special Watch List 
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…