Displaying results 1 - 100 of 179

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…
Jun 26, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONJune 26, 2013 |By Katrina Lantos Swett Editor"s note: Katrina Lantos Swett is the chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The views expressed are the writer"s own. The…
Jul 26, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Kazakh government reportedly soon will try two activists for their religious freedom-related activities. Atheist blogger Aleksandr Kharlamov, 63, had been held for four…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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
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Click here to view the October 2019 Factsheet on Enforced Disappearances in Malaysia.
Click here to view USCIRF's 2019 Kazakhstan Country Update.
Oct 17, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2019   USCIRF Releases New Reports on Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Iran   Washington, DC  – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
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  …
Additional Name(s): Bolatbek Dyusenbekovich Nurgaliyev Gender: Male Current Location: Investigation Prison LA-155/18, Turksib, Almaty Perpetrator: Kazakhstan…
Additional Name(s): Ernar Samatovich Samatov Gender: Male Current Location: Investigation Prison LA-155/18, Turksib, Almaty Perpetrator: Kazakhstan…
Additional Name(s): Beket Tastanbekovich Mynbasov Gender: Male Current Location: Investigation Prison LA-155/18, Turksib, Almaty Perpetrator: Kazakhstan…
Jun 23, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Urges Thailand and Malaysia to Protect Rohingya Muslim Refugees Stranded at Sea Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on the…
Jul 28, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in The Diplomat, on July 28, 2020. By USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin and Commissioner James W. Carr Several airlines offer direct flights from Burma to Malaysia, but many Rohingya…
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,…
Title 2023 Annual Report - Central African Republic Chapter File Upload Central African Republic (CAR).pdf Language English Year…
Title 2026 Annual Report - Kazakhstan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Kazakhstan.pdf Language English Year…
Title 2026 Annual Report - Malaysia Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Malaysia.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…
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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)…
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Malaysia Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Date of Detainment: February/13/2017…
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Malaysia Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a Reports of Torture: No Reports of Medical…
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…
Advocacy: Press Release: USCIRF Calls Attention to Pastor Raymond Koh on 5th Anniversary of Disappearance, February 11, 2022…
Nov 23, 2020 USCIRF Commissioner Jim Carr Adopts Pastor Raymond Koh through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project WASHINGTON, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Jim…
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.…
Feb 25 WHEN: Feb 25th 11:00am - Feb 25th 12:30pm…
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…
View the 2021 Annual Report          
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: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Request that the Malaysian government clarify administrative procedures and develop tangible mechanisms for individuals to…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Laws Recommendation:Press the Malaysian government to remove the religion field from national ID cards and allow for…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Laws Recommendation:Urge the Malaysian government to facilitate independent institutions, including the judiciary, in…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: RPOCs Recommendation:Urge the Malaysian government to acknowledge all peaceful religious activity as legitimate and…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Special Watch List Recommendation:Include Malaysia on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Technical Assistance Recommendation:As part of U.S. support to build capacity for Malaysian law enforcement, fund and…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: IVLP Recommendation:Expand the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to include bringing Malaysian lawyers…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Special Watch List Recommendation:Include Malaysia on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Technical Assistance Recommendation:Fund and implement training on community-based policing between the U.S.…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: RPOCs Recommendation:Urge the Malaysian government to repeal the federal and state-level laws criminalizing blasphemy…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Diplomacy Recommendation:Work with Malaysia and regional partners to ensure the safety of migrants and refugees,…
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…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Prioritize religious freedom and related human rights into the U.S.-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership Dialogue and…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Repeal or amend its religious registration laws, which are frequently used to harass and prosecute religious…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: Other Governments Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Strategy:USCIRF advocates this recommendation with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.--Kazakhstan Religious Freedom…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: Other Governments Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Provide an alternative to military service for conscientious objectors; Strategy:USCIRF advocates this…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Kazakhstani government to open the Congress of the Leaders of the World and Traditional Religions to…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure continued U.S. funding for Radio Azattyq, the Kazakh service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), so…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Kazakhstan on the State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Open the Congress of the Leaders of the World and Traditional Religions to representatives of all faiths in…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure continued U.S. funding for Radio Azattyq, the Kazakh service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, to allow for…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Kazakhstan on the State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating violations…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Kazakhstan Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue engaging with the Kazakhstani government through the U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Working Group to…
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…
Aug 6, 2021 The Kazakhstani government is implementing promising reforms that could make Kazakhstan Central Asia’s leading example of religious freedom. USCIRF has recommended the U.S. State Department place…
This factsheet documents and contextualizes recent religious freedom violations against Ahmadiyya Muslims, shining a light on the worrying trend of growing state persecution of members of this community. Ahmadiyya Muslims face persecution and…
Oct 18, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report about Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslims Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on persecution of…