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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2000
Contact:
Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom today wrote to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright with recommendations for a…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2001
Contact:
Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27
WASHINGTON - With Muslim-Christian violence flaring yet again in Indonesia, the U.S. Commission on International Religious…
November 14, 2011The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama:
On behalf of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), allow me to wish you a safe and productive visit to Indonesia for the East Asia…
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…
Click here to view the October 2013 Factsheet: Indonesia: A New Culture of Intolerance Threatens Religious Minorities
Title
2025 Annual Report - Sri Lanka Chapter
File Upload
Sri Lanka 2025 USCIRF Annual Report.pdf
Language
English
Year
2025…
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.…
May 4, 2016
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
May 4, 2016 | Robert P. George and Hannah Rosenthal
The following op/ed appeared in USA Today on May 3, 2016
Should it be a crime to deny the existence of God?
In the Russian city…
INDONESIA: USCIRF Denounces the Recent Conviction and Sentencing of Jakarta’s Governor for Blasphemy
May 12, 2017
INDONESIA: USCIRF Denounces the Recent Conviction and Sentencing of Jakarta’s Governor for BlasphemyUSCIRF Calls for the Release of Those Accused of or Convicted of Blasphemy
Washington, D.C. – The U.S.…
The report documents ASEAN’s and the Member States’ approaches to the freedom of religion or belief, underscores the religious freedom-related challenges in the region that transcend country borders, and emphasizes the strategic importance of robust U.S…
Jan 24, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2019
USCIRF Welcomes Release of Jailed Jakarta Governor; Denounces Indonesia’s Blasphemy Law
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious…
Feb 8, 2019
This op-ed was originally published by The Globe Post on February 8, 2019.
By Gayle Manchin and Nadine Maenza
Recently, Grace Natalie, head and founder of the young and progressive Indonesian…
Apr 18, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 18, 2019
Religious Extremists Exploit Blasphemy Laws in Indonesian Election, Says USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC – Following the completion of Indonesia’s April 17 general elections…
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
-
Jul 24th 1:00pm…
Click here to view the Indonesia Policy Update.
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…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Azerbaijan Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Azerbaijan.pdf
Language
English
Year…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Indonesia Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Indonesia.pdf
Language
English
Year
2026…
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…
Oct 23
WHEN:
Oct 23rd 3:00pm…
Aug 05
WHEN:
Aug 5th 10:30am…
Click here to view the Rohingya Refugees Factsheet.
This factsheet highlights the conditions of Rohingya refugees in Southeast Asia. While the majority of Rohingya refugees have fled from Burma to Bangladesh, a significant number have escaped to…
Oct 8, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Rohingya Refugees in Southeast Asia
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a new report on…
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…
Dec 7, 2020
There are 84 countries across the globe with criminal blasphemy laws on the books as of 2020. While only a handful of countries enforce these laws, there are still 84 countries in which a…
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.…
Dec 9, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
USCIRF Releases Groundbreaking Report on the Enforcement of Blasphemy Laws Globally
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a…
Pancasila is a founding concept of Indonesia, comprising of five principles: monotheism, civilized humanity, national unity, deliberative democracy, and social justice. As Indonesia has witnessed the rise of Islamist extremist activities and sentiment…
Mar 12, 2021
USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Indonesia’s State Ideology of Pancasila
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a new report on the ongoing religious freedom…
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 9, 2021
Pancasila is a founding concept of Indonesia, comprising of five principles: monotheism, civilized humanity, national unity, deliberative democracy, and social justice. This concept came about at the onset of…
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…
May 27, 2021
Blasphemy laws criminalize expression that insults or offends religious doctrines. Such laws are often used to restrict freedom of religion or belief. As of 2020, 84 countries still had blasphemy laws. The severity…
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: Indonesia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Funding
Recommendation:Prioritize funding for programs that improve the capacity of civil society and the media to…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Terrorism
Recommendation:Focus U.S. government funding for deradicalization efforts in Indonesia on teachers,…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Funding
Recommendation:Ensure that U.S.-funded programs for Indonesian police and counterterrorism officials…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Special Watch List
Recommendation:Include Indonesia on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Laws
Recommendation:Urge the Indonesian government to revise the draft Criminal Code bill to remove criminal…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: U.S. Agency for International Development
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Funding
Recommendation:Incorporate training on international human rights standards related…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Multilateral Institutions
Recommendation:Urge the Indonesian government to take the lead on human rights and…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: U.S. Congress
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Laws
Recommendation:Support measures such as H.Res.512 and S.Res.458, which urge the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2021 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Special Watch List
Recommendation:Include Indonesia on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for…
Status:
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2021 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Laws
Recommendation:Urge the Indonesian government to revise the draft Criminal Code bill to remove criminal sanctions for…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2021 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Laws
Recommendation:Urge the Indonesian government to repeal or revise existing legislation and regulations on…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: U.S. Agency for International Development
Source: 2021 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Funding
Recommendation:Incorporate training on international human rights standards related…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Indonesia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2021 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Multilateral Institutions
Recommendation:Urge the Indonesian government to take the regional lead on human rights…
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…
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…
Sri Lanka is a diverse country where complex ethno-religious divisions contribute to tension among the various communities. Despite protections guaranteed by the constitution and international law, Muslims and other religious minorities suffer abusive…
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…
Dec 07
WHEN:
Dec 7th 10:00am
-
Dec 7th 11:00am…
Additional Name(s):
Movsum Mardan oglu Samadov
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a…
Additional Name(s):
Abgul Suleymanov, Abgul Neymat oglu Suleymanov
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a…
Additional Name(s):
Elshan Mustafaoglu Mustafayev
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a…
Additional Name(s):
Elvin Mürvətoğlu
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a
Reports…
Additional Name(s):
Ahsan Muzaffar oglu Nuruzade
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Indonesia
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Unspecified/Other
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Indonesia
Religion or Belief:
Unspecified
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of Medical Neglect…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Indonesia
Religion or Belief:
Unspecified
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of Medical Neglect…
Additional Name(s):
Muhammad Kace
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Indonesia
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Unspecified/Other…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Indonesia
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Apr 25, 2022
USCIRF Releases 2022 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
Recommends Afghanistan as Country of Particular Concern
Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious…
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…
Apr 25, 2022
This op-ed was originally published by The Hill on April 25, 2022.
By USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza and Vice Chair Nury Turkel
As the world is trying to resume some semblance of normalcy, it is abundantly clear that…
Additional Name(s):
Razi Gumbatov
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of…
Additional Name(s):
Seymur Afqan oglu Mammadov
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Additional Name(s):
Эльшан Аббасов
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a…
Additional Name(s):
Şamhal Eyvazov
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a
Reports…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
This report reviews blasphemy laws and their enforcement within the region of the Associate of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), highlighting recent cases and providing analysis on related laws. Blasphemy is defined as “the act of insulting or showing…
Oct 19, 2022
USCIRF Releases New Report on Blasphemy in Southeast Asia
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Blasphemy and Related Laws in ASEAN Member Countries…
Additional Name(s):
Dika Eka
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Indonesia
Religion or Belief:
Unspecified
Reports of Torture…