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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…
Title
2025 Annual Report - Sri Lanka Chapter
File Upload
Sri Lanka 2025 USCIRF Annual Report.pdf
Language
English
Year
2025…
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.…
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…
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,…
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
-
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…
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)…
Additional Name(s):
Khayrullo Turdiyevich Tursunov
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Investigation Prison No. 5 in Karshi (Shaykhali Prison)
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan…
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…
Aug 05
WHEN:
Aug 5th 10:30am…
Sep 16
WHEN:
Sep 16th 10:30pm
-
Sep 15th 12:00pm…
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 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…
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…
Jul 16, 2021
USCIRF Concerned by New Uzbekistan Religion Law
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed its disappointment that Uzbekistan’s new Religion Law fails to address the most serious…
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…
Oct 13
WHEN:
Oct 13th 2:00pm
-
Oct 13th 3:00pm…
Additional Name(s):
Усмон Дарвишов, Усман Дарвышов
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni…
Additional Name(s):
Fayzulla Saidkarimovich Agzamov, Файзулла Саидкаримович Агзамов, Файзулла Саидкаримович Агзамов
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
CEP 17, Karaulbazar, Bukhara…
Additional Name(s):
Тоҳир Жуманов, Тохир Джуманов
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni…
Additional Name(s):
Равшан Қосимов, Равшан Косимов
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni…
Additional Name(s):
Avaz Abduvakhovich Tokhtakhodjaev, Аваз Абдувахович Тўхтаходжаев, Аваз Абдувахович Тохтаходжаев
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief…
Additional Name(s):
Умар Бадалов
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni
Reports of…
Additional Name(s):
Nematullo Yakubovich Ibragimov, Нематулло Якубович Ибрагимов
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni…
Additional Name(s):
Muhammad Abdukarimovich Rashidov, Рашидов Муҳаммад Абдукаримович, Мухаммад Абдукаримович Рашидов
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief…
Additional Name(s):
Sanat Sunnatalievich Salimov, Санат Суннаталиевич Салимов, Санат Суннаталиевич Салимов
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:…
Additional Name(s):
Jahongir Djaparovich Kamolov, Жаҳонгир Жапарович Камолов, Джахонгир Джапарович Камолов
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:…
Additional Name(s):
Ibrohim Tojiakhmatovich Kholmatov, Иброҳим Холматов, Иброхим Тоджиахматович Холматов
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of Medical…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture:
Yes
Reports of Medical…
Additional Name(s):
Shakhzodjon Tokhirjon ogli Zokirov
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni…
Additional Name(s):
Ubaydulla Ruzimurod ogli Murtazoyev
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni…
Additional Name(s):
Azimjon Avaz ogli Abdusamatov
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni…
Additional Name(s):
Bakhtiyor Bakhodir ogli Tursunov
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Tashkent
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim…
The report estimates that over 2,000 individuals remain imprisoned by the Uzbekistan government for peacefully practicing their religious beliefs and documents the cases of 81 specific prisoners, many of whom are serving some of the longest politically-…
Oct 13, 2021
USCIRF Releases Report Highlighting Uzbekistan’s Religious and Political Prisoners
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a new report titled “…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture:
Yes
Reports of Medical…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of Medical…