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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…
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.…
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…
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…
Read the full report here.This report is an examination of religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua following the outbreak of anti-government protests in April 2018 that continue to occur around the country. Throughout this political crisis, the Catholic…
Mar 11, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Nicaragua
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
Jul 20, 2020
This op-ed was originally published by The Washington Examiner, on July 20, 2020.
By USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin and USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins
In Iraq, the 50th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces has…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Azerbaijan Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Azerbaijan.pdf
Language
English
Year…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Nicaragua Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Nicaragua.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…
Aug 05
WHEN:
Aug 5th 10:30am…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Feb 4, 2022
The government of Nicaragua, under the leadership of President Daniel Ortega, has a history of persecuting Catholic clergy, worshipers, and organizations as well as Protestant institutions especially since religious leaders provided sanctuary…
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…
Additional Name(s):
Razi Gumbatov
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of…
Aug 11, 2022
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Nicaragua
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Nicaragua Country Update…
This report details deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua during the first half of 2022. In March, the government expelled the papal nuncio, the Vatican’s chief diplomat in the country, for unexplained reasons. Most recently, a judge…
Additional Name(s):
Rolando José Álvarez, Rolando Jose Alvarez Lagos
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Sep 9, 2022
Since 2020, USCIRF has recommended that Nicaragua be included on the State Department’s Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom. In 2022, the Nicaraguan government has greatly intensified its…
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…
Additional Name(s):
Enrique Martínez Gamboa, Benito Enrique Martínez
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic…
Additional Name(s):
Şahin Qədirov
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of…
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…
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…
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…
Additional Name(s):
Óscar Danilo Benavidez Dávila
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic…
Feb 14, 2023
USCIRF Condemns Nicaragua’s 26-year Prison Sentence for Bishop Rolando Álvarez
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the Nicaraguan government’s sentencing of Catholic Bishop Rolando…
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,…
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…
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…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
This comprehensive report features three crosscutting research areas that illuminate the religious freedom challenges facing indigenous communities in Latin America. First, the report provides detailed information about recent religious freedom…
Jun 7, 2023
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom Violations Against Indigenous Communities in Latin America
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Religious…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Managua
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture…
Additional Name(s):
Víctor Ticay
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Sistema Penitenciario Nacional Jorge Navarro, Tipitapa
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua…
May 3, 2023
This op-ed was originally published by Religion News Service on May 3, 2023.
By USCIRF Chair Nury Turkel & Vice Chair Abraham Cooper
Denying religious freedom and women’s rights go hand-in-hand.
Over the…
Additional Name(s):
Fernando Israel Zamora Silva
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic…
Additional Name(s):
Adela Elizabeth Espinoza Tercero
Gender:
Female
Current Location:
La Esperanza prison, Tipitapa, Nicaragua
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua…
Gender:
Female
Current Location:
La Esperanza prison, Tipitapa, Nicaragua
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Additional Name(s):
Julio Ricardo Norori Jiménez
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic…
Additional Name(s):
José Iván Centeno Tercero
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic…
Additional Name(s):
Cristóbal Reynaldo Gadea Velásquez
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic…
Additional Name(s):
Álvaro José Toledo Amador
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nicaragua
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Catholic
Date of Detainment:
October/7/2023…
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…
Oct 25, 2023
USCIRF Condemns Nicaragua’s Expulsion of Arbitrarily Detained Priests
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the Nicaraguan government’s expulsion of ten arbitrarily detained…
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-…
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-…