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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
. . . 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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 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
…
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…
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)…
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 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…
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 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…
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)…
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 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,…
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’…
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…
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.…
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)…
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…
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…
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…