Displaying results 1 - 70 of 70

Sri Lanka Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2025 Annual Report - Sri Lanka Chapter File Upload Sri Lanka 2025 USCIRF Annual Report.pdf Language English Year 2025…
The Philadelphia Inquirer -- Threats to religious freedom
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…
USCIRF Welcomes Release of State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report; Urges Prompt CPC Designations
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…
The Christian Science Monitor -- Pope Francis tackles Central African Republic's Christian-Muslim Divide
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…
USCIRF Welcomes CPC Designations: Urges Additional Designations and Actions
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,…
The Hill: Central African Republic turns a blind eye to the persecution of Muslim minority
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 Hill: The List No One Wants to Be On
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,…
The Hill: Protecting Religious Freedom Provides Common Ground for All
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…
Summer Seminar #1 -- A Foundational Human Right: Why International Religious Freedom Matters
Jun 24 WHEN: Jun 24th 6:59pm…
Testimony of Vice Chair Maenza on Global Persecution of Christians
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
Summer Seminar #2 -- Anti-Semitism: The World's Oldest Hatred — New Again?
Jul 24 WHEN: Jul 24th 1:00pm - Jul 24th 1:00pm…
USCIRF Hearing on Global Efforts to Counter Anti-Semitism
Jan 08 WHEN: Jan 8th 1:30pm…
USCIRF Raises Alarm about Speech Laws that Restrict Religious Freedom in More than Half of African Countries
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  …
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am…
The Globe Post: Central Africans Should Not be Denied Their Right to Vote Based on Their Faith
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,…
Central African Republic Annual Report Chapters
Title 2023 Annual Report - Central African Republic Chapter File Upload Central African Republic (CAR).pdf Language English Year…
Webinar #5: Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List
Nov 06 WHEN: Nov 6th 2:00pm…
2018 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom
Jul 25 WHEN: Jul 25th 5:00pm - Jul 25th 7:00pm…
USCIRF Events During 2019 Ministerial
Jul 16 WHEN: Jul 16th 4:00pm - Jul 18th 2:00pm…
Silencing Religious Freedom in Africa: The Impact of Speech Restrictions
Dec 10 WHEN: Dec 10th 9:30pm…
USCIRF Update with USAID: The President’s Executive Order on International Religious Freedom
Aug 05 WHEN: Aug 5th 10:30am…
Factsheet: Fulani Communities in West and Central Africa
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…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Religious Tensions and Fulani Communities in West and Central Africa
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)…
Washington Examiner: Protect religious symbols in African conflict zones
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. 
Factsheet: Nonbelievers in Africa
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…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Include on the Special Watch List
Recommendation
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…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Fund justice programs, including the SCC
Recommendation
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
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Central African Republic Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Recommendation:Increase humanitarian assistance
Recommendation
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…
Recommendation
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…
Recommendation
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 (…
Recommendation
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:…
Recommendation
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,…
CAR Country Update
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…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Central African Republic
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…
Central African Republic: From Sectarian Violence to Progress on Religious Freedom
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…
Sri Lanka Country Update
Sri Lanka is a diverse country where complex ethno-religious divisions contribute to tension among the various communities. Despite protections guaranteed by the constitution and international law, Muslims and other religious minorities suffer abusive…
Worrying Trends for Religious Freedom in Central and Eastern Africa
Jan 21, 2022 Across central and eastern Africa there are many dynamics at play, including political crises and violent insurgencies, both of which pose challenges to freedom of religion or belief. These trends and developments…
USCIRF Releases 2022 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
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…
2022 Annual Report
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…
The Hill: A glimmer of hope in bringing accountability to religious freedom violators abroad
Apr 25, 2022 This op-ed was originally published by The Hill on April 25, 2022. By USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza and Vice Chair Nury Turkel As the world is trying to resume some semblance of normalcy, it is abundantly clear that…
USCIRF Releases 2022 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
Apr 26, 2022 On April 25, 2022, USCIRF released its 2022 Annual Report, which documents developments in international religious freedom from 2021. The report provides recommendations to enhance the U.S. government’s promotion…
Factsheet: Global Overview of Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution
This factsheet highlights the global scale of religious persecution by providing an overview of contexts where large populations have been displaced due to persecution or violence based on religion or belief, including in Afghanistan, Burma, the Central…
Religious Freedom Backslides in Central African Republic
Jun 16, 2022 USCIRF began monitoring religious freedom conditions in Central African Republic (CAR) in 2013 when the country descended into civil conflict. After seven years of recommending that CAR be designated a country of…
Sri Lanka Country Update
This report provides an overview of religious freedom conditions in Sri Lanka in 2022. This past year, the country sank into a severe economic crisis that precipitated a serious lack of fuel and basic necessities. As a result of this crisis and overall…
Religious Freedom Concerns in Central Africa
This factsheet highlights challenges facing freedom of religion or belief in several countries in Central Africa, such as Central African Republic (CAR), Cameroon, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The politicization of religious identity and…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Concerns in Central Africa
Feb 9, 2023 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Concerns in Central Africa   Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Religious Freedom Concerns in…
Abuses Against Fulani Muslim Civilians
Across west and central Africa, escalating violence and abuses against Fulani Muslim civilians are negatively impacting religious freedom for many communities. Governments and state-backed forces in Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Central African Republic…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Abuses against Fulani Muslim Civilians
Apr 27, 2023 USCIRF Releases New Report on Abuses against Fulani Muslim Civilians Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on abuses against Fulani Muslim civilians…
USCIRF Releases 2023 Annual Report Highlighting Worsening Religious Freedom Conditions Around the World
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,…
2023 Annual Report
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…
USCIRF Welcomes the Release of State Department’s 2022 International Religious Freedom Report
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…
Nathasha Edirisooriya
Gender: Female Perpetrator: Sri Lanka Religion or Belief: Unspecified Reports of Torture: No Reports of Medical…
Religion News Service: Repression of women points to worsening religious freedom trends abroad
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…
USCIRF Releases Updated Blasphemy Factsheet and Blasphemy Law Compendium
Sep 14, 2023 USCIRF Releases Updated Blasphemy Factsheet and Blasphemy Law Compendium Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released two new reports: Legislation Factsheet on Blasphemy – This…
25th Anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act
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…
USCIRF Delegation Travels to Sri Lanka to Assess Religious Freedom Conditions
Oct 31, 2023 USCIRF Delegation Travels to Sri Lanka to Assess Religious Freedom Conditions Washington, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioners Stephen Schneck and David Curry traveled with staff to Colombo,…
USCIRF Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern
Jan 4, 2024 USCIRF Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern Azerbaijan Added to State Department’s Special Watch List Washington, DC – The United States Commission on…
Challenges to Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka
May 07 WHEN: May 7th 10:30am…
USCIRF Releases 2024 Annual Report with New Recommendations for U.S. Policy
May 1, 2024 USCIRF Releases 2024 Annual Report with New Recommendations for U.S. Policy Highlights State of Religious Freedom Abroad after 25 Years of IRFA Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
2024 Annual Report
Highlights from USCIRF’s 2024 Annual Report Numbers-at-a-Glance 17 countries recommended for “country of particular concern” (CPC) designation 1 new country recommended for CPC designation 11 countries recommended for the State Department’s “Special…
Sri Lanka Country Update
This report provides an overview of the current religious freedom conditions in Sri Lanka and key observations from USCIRF’s 2023 delegation to the country, such as religiously motivated land disputes, registration challenges, and the use of…
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka
Jun 27, 2024 USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Sri Lanka Country Update – This report provides an…
USCIRF Releases 2025 Annual Report
Mar 25, 2025 USCIRF Releases 2025 Annual ReportWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released its 2025 Annual Report. The report documents religious freedom conditions in 2024 and recommends policy…
2025 Annual Report
Highlights from USCIRF’s 2025 Annual ReportNumbers-at-a-Glance16 countries recommended for “country of particular concern” (CPC) designation12 countries recommended for the State Department’s “Special Watch List” (SWL)7 entities recommended…
Houthi Factsheet
This factsheet assesses freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) conditions in areas of northern Yemen controlled by the Houthi movement. Following the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel, the Houthis have escalated their systematic and egregious violations…
Congress Takes Encouraging, Bipartisan Steps on International Religious Freedom
Sep 25, 2025 Congress Takes Encouraging, Bipartisan Steps on International Religious Freedom Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the introduction of H.Res 738. This resolution demonstrates…
USCIRF Welcomes SEAS Envoy Confirmation, Urges Further Confirmations
Dec 23, 2025   USCIRF Welcomes SEAS Envoy Confirmation, Urges Further ConfirmationsWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the Senate’s confirmation of Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as United…