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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2001
Contact:
Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent government agency advising the…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2002
Contact:
Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27
WASHINGTON - The upcoming visit of Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov affords President Bush and the Secretary of State the…
. . . that Uzbekistan pressures neighboring Central Asian countries to return asylum seekers who have fled Uzbek government repression of their religious freedoms?Since Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, its government has systematically and…
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…
May 13, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 13, 2015 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Andijon massacre. On May 13, 2005, as…
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 10, 2015
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONDecember 10, 2015 | Mary Ann Glendon and Katrina Lantos Swett
The following op-ed appeared in The National Interest on December 10, 2015
December 10 marks Human Rights Day, the sixty-seventh…
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,…
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…
Dec 9, 2016
The following op-ed appeared in Religion New Service on December 9, 2016
By former USCIRF Commissioners Kristina Arriaga and John Ruskay
Pwint Phyu Latt is a Muslim peace activist in Burma who sought to…
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…
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,…
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…
Jun 24
WHEN:
Jun 24th 6:59pm…
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
Jul 24
WHEN:
Jul 24th 1:00pm
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Jul 24th 1:00pm…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Ethnic Group:
Armenian
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Unspecified/Other
Reports of…
Additional Name(s):
Ruhiddin Fahrutdinov, Ruhiddin Fazlitdinovich Fahrutdinov
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni…
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
…
Read the full report here.This report provides an assessment of religious freedom conditions in Uzbekistan, where USCIRF commissioners and staff traveled twice over the course of 2019. Although Uzbekistan has taken some important initial steps to allow…
Jan 31, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 31, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Uzbekistan
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Feb 11
WHEN:
Feb 11th 10:30am…
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…
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…
Jul 9, 2020
This op-ed originally appears in The Diplomat, on July 9, 2020.
By USCIRF Commissioners Nadine Maenza and Nury Turkel
For many years, Uzbekistan presented a bleak picture in a region notorious for poor human…
USCIRF Releases Report on the Anti-cult Movement and Religious Regulation in Russia and Central Asia
Jul 17, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Releases Report on the Anti-cult Movement and Religious Regulation in Russia and Central Asia
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
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,…
Additional Name(s):
Khayrullo Turdiyevich Tursunov
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Investigation Prison No. 5 in Karshi (Shaykhali Prison)
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan…
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
2026 Annual Report - Uzbekistan Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Uzbekistan.pdf
Language
English
Year…
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…
Dec 10
WHEN:
Dec 10th 9:30pm…
Aug 05
WHEN:
Aug 5th 10:30am…
Sep 16
WHEN:
Sep 16th 10:30pm
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Sep 15th 12:00pm…
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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Welcomes Legal Reform Efforts in Uzbekistan, Urges Conformity with International Standards
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Read the full Issue Update:
The Global Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses
This update describes official discrimination against Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world, with a particular focus on countries where members have been imprisoned for…
Nov 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…
Jan 22, 2021
Targeting of religious minorities in Russia, mass atrocities in China, Nigeria as a country of particular concern, and Antisemitism on the rise worldwide. The events of 2020 cast a long…
Mar 11, 2021
There have been notable improvements to religious freedom conditions in Uzbekistan in recent years. The government’s ongoing effort to revise the restrictive 1998 Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious…
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…
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…
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: 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…
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…
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…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report
Thematic Area: Religious Prisoners of Conscience
Recommendation:Press for at the highest levels and work to secure…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report
Thematic Area: Religious Prisoners of Conscience
Recommendation:Urge the Uzbek government to close the notorious…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Work with the Uzbek government to revise the 1998 Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Establish a binding agreement with the Uzbek government, as authorized under section 405(c) of IRFA, on…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report
Thematic Area: Religious Prisoners of Conscience
Recommendation:Press at the highest levels for the immediate release…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Work with the government of Uzbekistan to revise the 1998 religion law to comply with international…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Maintain Uzbekistan on the State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Allocate funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Embassy in Tashkent to…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Press at the highest levels for the immediate release of individuals imprisoned for their peaceful…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Work with the government of Uzbekistan to revise the 1998 religion law and other relevant…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Uzbekistan
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Include Uzbekistan on the State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe…
Jun 17, 2021
The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) mandates USCIRF to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. In addition to making recommendations, USCIRF’s mandate…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Central African Republic
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Recommendation:Include on the Special Watch List
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Central African Republic
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Recommendation:Establish high-level panel on human rights protection with international stakeholders and CAR authorities…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Central African Republic
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Recommendation:Fund justice programs, including the SCC
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Central African Republic
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Recommendation:Assist CAR government in ensuring Muslims have a future in the country
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Central African Republic
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Recommendation:Increase humanitarian assistance
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Central African Republic
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Recommendation:Increase engagement with CAR authorities, the United Nations (UN), and international donors to ensure that…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Central African Republic
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Recommendation:Assisting the UN Security Council in sanctioning armed actors responsible for organizing and/or engaging in…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Central African Republic
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Recommendation:Funding programs to reestablish and professionalize CAR’s judiciary and to support the Special Criminal Court (…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Central African Republic
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Recommendation:Press CAR authorities to undertake initiatives to ensure that Muslims have a future in the country by:…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Central African Republic
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Recommendation:Increase funding for peace and security initiatives; bolster humanitarian assistance for refugees, IDPs,…
This country update examines recent progress made and ongoing challenges in CAR. Due to peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts, sectarian violence and religious targeting reduced in CAR in 2020. However, Central African religious minorities…
Jun 28, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Central African Republic
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new…
Jul 9, 2021
In 2015, USCIRF for the first time recommended the Central African Republic (CAR) be designated by the State Department a Country of Particular Concern for systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious…