FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2000
Contact:
Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240 (202) 523-3240 (202) 523-3240
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom wrote Friday, July 28 to Secretary of State Madeleine…
By Felice D. Gaer, Chair U.S. Commission On International Religious Freedom for the Congressional Human Rights Caucus
August 1, 2002
Expert witnesses take questions from the audience. Left to right: Rabbi Abraham Cooper, HRC Co-Chair Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA…
May 3, 2006
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING RELEASE OF 2006 ANNUAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE ON COUNTRIES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 16, 2008
Contact: Judith Ingram,
Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 127
[email protected]
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is concerned about the status of Baha'i and…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Judith Ingram,
Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240, ext. 127
[email protected]
WASHINGTON-The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom welcomes the release of four Baha"is from a Yemeni…
USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett made the following remarks at the announcement of the Defending Freedoms Project on December 6, 2012, a project of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, in conjunction with USCIRF and Amnesty International USA. …
Mar 18, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONMarch 18, 2013| By: Katrina Lantos Swett and M. Zuhdi Jasser
The following op-ed appeared in Roll Call on March 15, 2013.
While the world remains riveted to Egypt"s challenges and Syria"s…
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…
…that the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, in conjunction with USCIRF and Amnesty International USA, has launched the Defending Freedoms Project to increase attention to and support for human rights and religious freedom around the world?Through the…
Apr 14, 2014
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONApril 14, 2014 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and M. Zuhdi Jasser
The following op-ed appeared in the Global Post on April 10, 2014.
WASHINGTON — Last week's Formula 1 automotive racing event…
Sep 1, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As President Obama soon will visit Laos to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, the U.S. Commission on International…
Jan 23, 2017
The following op-ed appeared in Philadelphia Inquirer on January 23, 2017
By former USCIRF Commissioners Thomas J. Reese and Daniel Mark
As our nation commemorated National Religious Freedom Day on Jan…
Jan 27, 2017
The following op-ed appeared in Deseret News on January 27, 2017
By former USCIRF Commissioners Clifford D. May and Tenzin Dorjee
As the world commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day,…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2017
YEMEN: Release Baha’i Prisoners of Conscience in Yemen
USCIRF Calls on Houthis to Cease Harassment of Baha’is
WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 30, 2018
YEMEN: USCIRF Condemns Death Sentence for Baha’i
USCIRF Chairman Mark calls sentence “unjust and a dangerous precedent for the treatment of religious minorities” in Yemen
WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States…
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…
Aug 27, 2018
This op-ed originally appeared in The Globe Post on September 18, 2018.
By former Commission Chair Daniel Mark
Hamed bin Haydara, a leader of the Baha’i faith in Yemen, has been imprisoned…
Oct 29, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2018
USCIRF Calls on Yemen to Release Persecuted Baha’is
The accused include eight women and a teenage girl and the penalty for many is death
WASHINGTON, DC — Tenzin…
Jan 3, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – Andy Khawaja, Commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), today announced his adoption of Hamid Kamal Mohammad bin Haydara, a Yemeni member of the Baha’i…
Jul 1, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2019
USCIRF Calls on Houthi Court in Yemen to Overturn Death Sentence for Religious Prisoner of Conscience Hamid bin Haydara…
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
Oct 9, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2019
USCIRF Responds to Yom Kippur Attack in Germany
Washington, DC (Oct. 9, 2019) – Based on emerging reports of the killing of at least two people near a…
Oct 13, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 2019
WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is alarmed over reports that a Houthi court in Yemen may deport and confiscate the assets…
Dec 24, 2019
USCIRF Welcomes the State Department’s Designations of the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom
Hopes to See Strong Action in Response
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious…
Jan 24, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2020
USCIRF Honors International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Cautions Against Rising Anti-Semitism
WASHINGTON, DC – On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January…
Feb 13, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 13, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Reports on Religious Freedom Conditions in Bahrain and Iraq
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Read the full report here.This report highlights improvements and notes areas of concern regarding religious freedom in Bahrain in 2019. While Bahrain continues to allow freedom of worship to most religious groups, Shi’a Bahrainis face systematic and…
Mar 23, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2020
USCIRF Deplores Houthi Order to Execute Hamid bin Haydara and Dissolve Baha’i Institutions in Yemen
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious…
Mar 28, 2020
This op-ed originally appeared in the Arkansas Gazette on Saturday, March 28, 2020.By Gayle Manchin and James W. Carr
How far can a government limit religious freedom in the name of fighting the coronavirus…
Apr 6, 2020
This op-ed originally appeared in Opinio Juris on Monday, April 6, 2020. By Gayle Manchin and James W. Carr
How far can a government limit religious freedom in the name of fighting the coronavirus (…
Apr 9, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2020
USCIRF Calls on Houthis in Yemen to Abide by Commitment to Release Hamid bin Haydara
Washington DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges…
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
2020 Annual Report Release
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Virtual Release
Press Conference Transcript
Virtual Launch Transcript
On April 28, 2020, USCIRF released its 2020 Annual…
Read the full report here.This report provides a country update on religious freedom conditions in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In 2016, the Lao government updated its regulation of religious freedom with the Decree on Management and Protection…
May 6, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Laos
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
Jun 2, 2020
USCIRF Applauds Executive Order to Advance International Religious Freedom
Washington, DC –The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order on…
Jun 9, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Commends Bahrain for Release of Prisoner of Conscience Nabeel Rajab
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today commended the government of…
Published Op-ed
Jun 15, 2020
This op-ed was originally published by Forward, on June 15, 2020
By USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin, USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer, and Senator James Lankford
While the United States was celebrating…
Jun 16, 2020
Gayle Manchin Elected as Chair of Bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Tony Perkins and Anurima Bhargava as Vice Chairs
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today elected…
Jun 19, 2020
USCIRF Welcomes Senator Charles Schumer’s Appointment of Frederick A. Davie to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Washington, DC – Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced on June 17…
Jun 25, 2020
This op-ed was originally published by Newsweek, on June 25, 2020.
By USCIRF Commissioners Nury Turkel and Johnnie Moore
Human rights activists don’t often think first of countries like France, Germany,…
Jul 31, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Commends Release of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Hamid Bin Haydara and 5 Other Baha’is in Yemen
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Aug 21, 2020
USCIRF Calls for Action on UN International Day Commemorating the
Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recognizes the United Nations’…
Sep 22, 2020
USCIRF Urges Administration to Increase Refugee Resettlement Ceiling
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today reiterated its recommendation that the U.S.…
Oct 3, 2020
This op-ed was originally published in The Hill, on October 2, 2020.
By USCIRF Commissioners Gary Bauer and Nury Turkel
Late last month, Belarusian officials blocked Catholic Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz…
Click here for the Ritual Slaughter Restrictions in Europe Factsheet.
This factsheet shows the spectrum of restrictions on ritual slaughter in Europe, and provides information on the impact that such regulations have on religious freedom in…
Oct 7, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2020
USCIRF Releases Ritual Slaughter Factsheet Highlighting Range of Restrictions across Europe
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Click here for the Factsheet on Attacks in Burkina Faso.
In the context of the upcoming presidential election in Burkina Faso scheduled for November 22, 2020, this factsheet details the drivers of and responses to attacks against religious…
Oct 9, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Releases New Report about Attacks against Houses of Worship and Religious Leaders in Burkina Faso
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
Oct 9, 2020
Welcome to USCIRF's new series! In USCIRF Spotlight, we discuss major topics in the news and explore how they impact religious freedom around the globe. For this week's episode, listen to what our…
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 17, 2020
The United Nations system has several structures and entities that were created to address human rights concerns globally, many of which are relevant to universal right to freedom of religion or…
Dec 11, 2020
USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Brunei
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a new report on ongoing religious freedom issues in Brunei:
Brunei Factsheet –…
Click here to read the Brunei Factsheet
This factsheet highlights ongoing religious freedom issues in Brunei, primarily focusing on the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013, which came into effect on April 3, 2019. Although Brunei has had a dual legal…
Dec 15, 2020
Several religious groups, including followers of Judaism and Islam, mandate that animals are uninjured (unstunned) prior to killing. However, nearly a third of European countries limit…
Click here for the Bahrain Country Update
This country update examines religious freedom conditions in Bahrain. Throughout 2020, Bahrain continued to systematically restrict religious freedom for its Shi’a Muslim population. The government…
Dec 17, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Bahrain
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious…
Dec 30, 2020
Since it's independence in 1984, Brunei has operated with a dual legal system: one secular and one Shari’a, the latter only enforceable for Bruneian Muslims. However, the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013 blurs…
Click here for the Factsheet on Key U.S. Government IRF Positions
This factsheet provides an overview of the key political appointments within the U.S. government that have the most relevance to international religious freedom (IRF). The primary IRF…
Jan 15, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report about Key U.S. Government IRF Vacancies for Biden Administration to Fill
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
Feb 5, 2021
USCIRF Welcomes Announcement that Refugee Ceiling will Increase Next Fiscal Year
Encourages Prioritization of the Most Vulnerable
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Feb 11, 2021
USCIRF Condemns Houthis for Summoning 19 Baha’is to Stand Trial on Spurious Charges
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned Houthi authorities for…
Mar 2, 2021
USCIRF Applauds U.S. Senate Bipartisan Efforts to Create the Senate Human Rights Commission
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds the reintroduction of a…
Factsheet on Controlling Civil Society’s Purse Strings – Around the globe, some governments misuse financial restrictions to hamper civil society actors, which can negatively impact religious communities. This factsheet explores the religious freedom…
Mar 30, 2021
USCIRF Highlights Impact of Financial Restrictions on Civil Society
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following factsheet on the impact of…
View PDF
Jews around the world face government and societal obstacles, which can often contribute to feelings of insecurity and ostracization. This report focuses on levels of antisemitism in 11 countries in Europe based on three factors: the…
Apr 14, 2021
USCIRF Releases Report on Antisemitism in Europe and Implications for U.S. Policy
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a new report titled “…
Apr 20, 2021
USCIRF Reiterates its Call to Urgently Increase the Refugee Ceiling
Encourages Prioritization of the Most Vulnerable
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) joins in the…
Apr 22, 2021
USCIRF released its 2021 Annual Report documenting developments over the past year, and providing policy recommendations to enhance the U.S. government’s promotion of freedom of religion or belief abroad. In its…
May 3, 2021
USCIRF Congratulates Outgoing Chair, Gayle Manchin, Welcomes New Chair, Anurima Bhargava
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) congratulated its former Chair Gayle Manchin…
May 4, 2021
USCIRF Welcomes President Biden’s Announcement to Raise the Refugee Ceiling
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes President Joseph R. Biden’s announcement…
View PDF
Central Sahel Factsheet – Over the past half decade, violent Islamist groups have gained ground in the central Sahel region of west Africa by controlling territory and conducting attacks in the tri-border region between…
May 5, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report on Violent Islamist Groups in the Central Sahel
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on…
May 12, 2021
USCIRF Welcomes the Release of State Department’s 2020 International Religious Freedom Report
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) congratulates the State…
May 14, 2021
The central Sahel region of West Africa is currently home to an extremely complex and fluid landscape of Islamist insurgent actors that stem from both locally grown and foreign movements. Several violent insurgent…
May 14, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2021
USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel Makes Fortune's List of
World's 50 Greatest Leaders
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Jun 4, 2021
For the first time in years, Bahrain was not included in the list of countries that USCIRF recommends for the State Department’s Special Watch List (SWL). The government of Bahrain has made incremental improvements…
Jun 11, 2021
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief is an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. The Special Rapporteur identifies existing and emerging obstacles to the…