Displaying results 1 - 100 of 1273

Promoting Religious Freedom During the Campaign Against Terrorism
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2226 November 27, 2001 Commission members (left to right): Richard D. Land, Nina Shea, The Hon. Charles R. Stith, Executive Director Steven T. McFarland,…
Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett at the Announcement of the Defending Freedoms Project
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.  …
USCIRF Condemns Attack on Shi'a Muslims in Pakistan
Jan 11, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 11, 2013| By USCIRF The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom strongly condemns a series of terror attacks that took place on January 10 targeting Pakistani Shi'a Muslims.…
USCIRF Urges Pakistan to Take Action Against Violent Religious Extremism
Mar 2, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMARCH 1, 2013| By USCIRF The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) marked the 2nd anniversary of the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti with a renewed call for the Pakistani government…
Did You Know...China
...that police detained over 900 people from Beijing’s Shouwang Church last year for trying to hold outdoor worship services? For the past two years, Shouwang members have tried to hold weekly services in Beijing parks only to face repeated detentions,…
USCIRF's 2013 Annual Report on the State of International Religious Freedom Identifies World's Worst Violators
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…
Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett, 2013 Annual Report, National Endowment for Democracy
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…
Washington Post On Faith -- Honor U.S. values and interests: Back religious freedom abroad
May 14, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONMay 14, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett The following was published in the Washington Post, On Faith on May 14, 2013. Fifteen years ago, on May 14, 1998, U.S. House of Representatives voted in…
USCIRF Welcomes IRF Report; Calls for CPC Designations
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…
Did You Know...Non-State Actors
...that particularly severe religious freedom violations are increasingly perpetrated by non-state actors in failing or failed states?One of the greatest emerging threats to freedom of religion or belief comes not from the actions of governments but from…
Did You Know...Defending Freedoms Project
…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…
CNN World/GPS -- Time to tear down the internet 'walls'
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…
Did You Know...Uighur Muslims in China
...that Uighur Muslims experience some of the most severe religious freedom restrictions in China. In response to July 5, 2009 demonstrations that broke out after Uighur and Han Chinese men clashed in a factory dispute, the Chinese government expanded its…
USCIRF Alarmed by Increasing Violence against Religious Communities in Pakistan
Jul 2, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 2, 2013 | By USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A suicide bomber attacked a Shia neighborhood in Quetta, the capital city of Pakistan's Baluchistan province, on Sunday June 30, killing at least 36…
Eurasia Review -- July 4 and the Ahmadiyya - OpEd
Jul 8, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONJuly 8, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett The following appeared in Eurasia Review on July 4th, 2013. Last Saturday, on June 29, I was honored to speak in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to the Ahmadiyya…
July 2013 Factsheet: Pakistan's History of Violence: A Chronology of Targeted Violence against Religious Communities
Click here to view the July 2013 Factsheet: Pakistan’s History of Violence: A Chronology of Targeted Violence against Religious CommunitiesClick here to view the July 2013 Briefing on the Future of Religious Freedom in Pakistan…
CNN World/GPS -- U.S. should press China over Falun Gong
Jul 25, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONJuly 24, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon The following appeared in CNN World/GPS on July 23rd, 2013. Editor"s note: Katrina Lantos Swett is chairwoman of the U.S. Commission…
Foreign Policy -- Pakistan's Religious Minority Problem
Aug 12, 2013 For Your Information August 12, 2013 | By Robert P. George The following op-ed appeared in Foreign Policy on August 9, 2013: On Sunday, August 11, Pakistan will celebrate National Minorities Day, giving recently-…
Washington Post -- The U.S.'s Lagging Commitment to Religious Freedom
Aug 22, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONAugust 21, 2013 | By Robert P. George and Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in The Washington Post on August 21, 2013. Although religious freedom is a pivotal human right,…
CNN World -- Fight Terrorism with Religious Freedom
Sep 11, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONSeptember 11, 2013 | By Robert P. George The following op-ed appeared in CNN World on September 11, 2013. Editor's note: Robert P. George is chairman of the U.S. Commission on International…
The Christian Science Monitor -- As UN meets, apply pressure against blasphemy laws
Sep 25, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATION September 20, 2013 | By Robert P. George The following op-ed appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on September 20, 2013. As the UN General Assembly begins its new session,…
USCIRF Condemns Church Bombings in Pakistan
Sep 25, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 25, 2013| By USCIRF On Sunday September 22, reportedly the worst attack on Pakistani Christians in that nation's history took place. On that day, two suicide bombers attacked the All…
USCIRF to President Obama: Raise Religious Freedom Concerns with Pakistani Prime Minister
Oct 18, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 18, 2013| USCIRF During his October 23 White House meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, USCIRF urges President Obama to raise concerns about the dire religious freedom…
October 2013 Factsheet: China: 20 Questions on religious freedom for China's Universal Periodic Review
Click here to view the October 2013 Factsheet: China: 20 Questions on Religious Freedom for China's Universal Periodic Review
The Christian Science Monitor -- JFK's call for religious freedom can transform places like Pakistan
Nov 8, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONNovember 7, 2013 | By Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on November 7, 2013. As the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of…
The Providence Journal -- Thanksgiving and Hanukkah spell re-dedication to religious freedom
Dec 3, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONDecember 2, 2013 | By Robert P. George The following op-ed appeared in the Providence Journal on November 30, 2013. Washington - As the nation celebrates Thanksgiving, Jewish Americans are also…
Reuters -- Human Rights Day: Still pursuing religious freedom
Dec 11, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATION December 11, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon The following op-ed appeared in Reuters & the Chicago Tribune on December 10, 2013. December 10 marks Human Rights Day,…
The Hill -- Congress can defend freedoms abroad
Jan 28, 2014 FOR YOUR INFORMATION January 27, 2014 | By  Robert P. George    The following op-ed appeared in  The Hill  on January 27, 2014. I testified before the Congressional Tom Lantos Human…
China Criticized for Banning Ramadan Fast
Jul 7, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7, 2014 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, DC – As Muslims around the world observe the holy month of Ramadan, Uighur Muslims in China face far-reaching restrictions on their religious practices. …
Religion News Service -- China’s grim religious freedom problem
Jul 30, 2014 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONJuly 30, 2014 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and M. Zuhdi Jasser The following op-ed appeared on RNS on July 29, 2014.  This op-ed also appeared in the Washington Post. While last month marked the…
August 2014 Factsheet: Pakistan: Violence Towards Religious Communities in Pakistan
Click here to view the August 2014 Factsheet: Pakistan: Violence Towards Religious Communities in Pakistan 
China: USCIRF Condemns Harsh Sentence for Ilham Tohti
Sep 25, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2014 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the life sentence handed down to respected Uighur Muslim scholar…
CHINA: USCIRF Condemns Arrest of Chinese Buddhist Leader Wu Zeheng and Detention and Mistreatment of Religious Leaders
Oct 30, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 30, 2014 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. -  The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the recent formal arrest of Wu Zeheng, also known as Buddhist Zen…
USCIRF Helps Launch International Parliamentary Coalition to Advance Religious Freedom
Nov 10, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 10, 2014  | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. –  In the face of escalating violations worldwide of religious freedom, an initiative that the U.S. Commission on International…
Defending Freedoms Project
In December 2012, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, in conjunction with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and Amnesty International USA, launched the Defending Freedoms Project with the aim of supporting human rights and…
...on China
The Chinese government continues to perpetrate particularly severe violations of religious freedom.  In May 2014, USCIRF released its 2014 Annual Report and again recommended that China be designated as a “country of particular concern,” or…
...on blasphemy laws
Many countries around the world have laws that punish expression deemed blasphemous, defamatory of religion, or contemptuous or insulting to religion or religious symbols, figures, or feelings.  The application of these laws has resulted in…
Al Jazeera America -- China must uphold religious freedom in new year
Feb 26, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONFebruary 26, 2015 | By Katrina Lantos Swett & Robert P. George The following op-ed appeared in Al Jazeera America on February 26, 2015.   By all accounts, the past year in China…
USCIRF Decries Church Attacks in Pakistan
Mar 17, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 17, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Sunday, March 15, the day an official U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) delegation to Pakistan departed the country, Pakistani…
USCIRF Denounces Attack on Ismaili Muslims in Pakistan
May 14, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 14, 2015 | USCIRF  WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Pakistani Taliban splinter group now reportedly affiliated with ISIL, on May 13 murdered at least 45 Ismaili Muslims in Karachi.  The killers…
The National Interest -- Pakistan MUST Protect Religious Freedom
Jun 3, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONJune 3, 2015 | Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon The following op-ed appeared in The National Interest on June 3, 2015 A court in Afghanistan recently sentenced eleven police officers…
USCIRF Letter to Secretary Kerry on the Seventh Session of the U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent the following letter to Secretary Kerry on June 18, 2015. The Honorable John F. Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Department of State Washington, DC 20520   Dear Secretary Kerry: I write…
China: Ramadan Restrictions Violate Religious Freedom
Jun 18, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 18, 2015 For Uighur Muslims in China’s autonomous region of Xinjiang, observing Ramadan – a month-long period of introspection, fasting, prayer, and devotion – is difficult, if not…
Philadelphia Inquirer -- Dalai Lama's message; our nation's creed
Jul 6, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONJuly 6, 2015 | Robert P. George and Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer on July 5, 2015 Today, July 6, the Dalai Lama of Tibet, a modern-day exemplar of…
Foreign Policy -- The (Non)Free Exercise of Religion
Aug 11, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONAugust 11, 2015 | Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon The following op-ed appeared in Foreign Policy on August 10, 2015 As their nation celebrates National Minorities Day on Tuesday, August…
CHINA: USCIRF Calls on the Release of Ilham Tohti and other Prisoners of Conscience
Sep 22, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 22, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) solemnly marks the one-year anniversary of the life sentence handed down to Chinese Uighur…
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…
Testimony of USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George on "The Crisis of International Religious Freedom"
USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George testified on October 27, 2015 before Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee at a hearing titled "The Global Crisis of Religious…
Pakistan: USCIRF Condemns Attack on Ahmadis
Nov 30, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 30, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns in the strongest possible terms the heinous attack on an Ahmadi Muslim factory and…
The National Interest -- Where Your Religion Can Still Send You to Jail
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…
Pakistan: USCIRF Calls for the Immediate Release of Abdul Shakoor and the Dropping of all Charges
Feb 1, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the arrest, detention, and sentencing of Abul Shakoor, an 80-year…
Pakistan: On Fifth Anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti Assassination, USCIRF Calls for Reform and Repeal of Blasphemy Law
Mar 1, 2016 Pakistan: On Fifth Anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti Assassination, USCIRF Calls for Reform and Repeal of Blasphemy Law   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on March…
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,…
CHINA: USCIRF Condemns the Government’s Ramadan Restrictions
Jul 6, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 6, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Muslims around the world mark the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr celebrations, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Testimony of USCIRF Chair Thomas J. Reese, S.J., on "Blasphemy Laws and Censorship by States and Non-State Actors"
USCIRF Chair Thomas J. Reese, S.J. testified on July 15, 2016 before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing titled "Blasphemy Laws and Censorship by States and Non-State Actors: Examining Global Threats to Freedom of Expression." From the…
The Hill -- U.S must stop mistreating asylum seekers fleeing persecution
Aug 25, 2016 FOR YOUR INFORMATION August 25, 2016 | Kristina Arriaga and Rev. Thomas J. Reese, S.J. The following op/ed appeared in The Hill on August 25, 2016.   Many men, women, and children each year…
Religion News Service -- Today — of all days — remember the disappeared
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…
CHINA: President Obama – Raise Religious Freedom on G20 Trip
Aug 31, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Religious freedom conditions in China have deteriorated under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.  Given this deterioration, the U.S.…
Newsweek Pakistan -- The Fight for Equal Rights: Can Global Religious Freedom Help Support Women's Rights?
Oct 14, 2016 FOR YOUR INFORMATION October 14, 2016 | Kristina Arriaga and Sandra Jolley  The following op-ed appeard in Newsweek Pakistan on October 14, 2016   “I raise my voice… not so I can shout, but so that…
Philadelphia Inquirer -- Commentary: Release every religious prisoner of conscience
Oct 27, 2016 FOR YOUR INFORMATION October 27, 2016 | By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. and Daniel Mark The following op-ed appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer on October 27, 2016    Abdul Shakoor is a member of the…
PAKISTAN: USCIRF Condemns Egregious Treatment of Ahmadis
Dec 9, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the raid by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on the…
Religion News Service: Empower women by standing for religious freedom
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…
Open Letter from USCIRF Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee to the Panchen Lama on his Birthday (April 25)
Apr 25, 2017 Click here to read the Chinese translation of the letter. Click here to read the Tibetan translation of the letter.    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2017   OPEN LETTER FROM USCIRF…
CHINA: USCIRF Condemns Ramadan Restrictions in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region
Jul 5, 2017 Click here to see coverage from The Economist on USCIRF's press release. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 5, 2017 CHINA: USCIRF Condemns Ramadan Restrictions in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region “The Chinese government…
Testimony of Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee on "Tibet: Freedom of Religion"
USCIRF Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee testified on July 12, 2017 before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing titled: "Tibet: Freedom of Religion." Commissioner Dorjee is the first Tibetan Buddhist appointed to serve on USCIRF and was…
Open Letter from USCIRF Vice Chair Sandra Jolley to Gulmira Imin on the 8th Anniversary of Her Arrest
Jul 13, 2017 Click here to read Vice Chair Jolley's letter to Gulmira Imin. Click here to read the Uyghur translation of the letter to Gulmira Imin   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 14, 2017   Open Letter from…
USCIRF Condemns Egypt’s Deportation of Uighur Muslims to China
Aug 3, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 3, 2017   USCIRF Condemns Egypt’s Deportation of Uighur Muslims to China “These latest moves show a calculated indifference to the Uighur Muslim community” WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S…
Huffington Post: America Must Stand Up To China To Defend Human Rights In Tibet
Oct 12, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in Huffington Post on October 12, 2017 By former Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee and Congressman Jim Mcgovern   Imagine you are a 6-year-old. Your world is your family, friends…
The Diplomat: President Trump: Support Religious Freedom in China
Nov 1, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in The Diplomat on November 1, 2017   By former Commissioners Sandra Jolley and Tenzin Dorjee   As U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to travel to China in early…
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,…
USCIRF Mourns Death of Leading Pakistani Human Rights Defender
Feb 13, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 13, 2018 USCIRF Mourns Death of Leading Pakistani Human Rights Defender USCIRF Chairman Mark says Ms. Jahangir “will always be remembered as a fearless advocate for human rights”…
Testimony of Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee on Religious Freedom in Tibet
On February 14, 2018, Commissioner Dorjee testified before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China on religious freedom violations in Tibet.Written Testimony  Oral Statement Video Recording of the Hearing…
USCIRF Statement on Passing of Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Dr. Li Baiguang
Feb 28, 2018 The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) mourns the sudden passing of Chinese human rights lawyer Dr. Li Baiguang, a devoted advocate for religious freedom who represented falsely accused…
Open Letter from USCIRF Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee to the Panchen Lama on His 29th Birthday (April 25, 2018)
Apr 24, 2018 Click here for a Chinese translation of this letter Click here for a Tibetan translation of this letter FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2018 Open Letter from USCIRF Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee to the Panchen Lama on…
CHINA: USCIRF Deeply Concerned About Increasing Repression of Uighur Muslims
May 14, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2018 CHINA: USCIRF Deeply Concerned About Increasing Repression of Uighur Muslims “The Chinese government’s restrictions on Uighur Muslims are an attempt to assimilate a besieged…
Religion News Service: Stop the 'Weaponization' of Religion in Pakistani Politics
Jul 24, 2018 This op-ed originally appeared in Religion News Service on July 24, 2018. By Gayle Manchin and Johnnie Moore (RNS) - This week, as hundreds of religious leaders, nonprofit heads and government officials…
At Gathering of 37,000 Ahmadi Muslims, USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore Vows to Make Religious Freedom in Pakistan a Priority
Aug 7, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 7, 2018   At Gathering of 37,000 Ahmadi Muslims, USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore Vows to Make Religious Freedom in Pakistan a Priority Commissioner Moore also formally adopts…
USCIRF Highly Concerned by Latest Chinese Government Abuses Against Religious Communities
Sep 11, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 11, 2018       USCIRF Highly Concerned by Latest Chinese Government Abuses Against Religious Communities USCIRF is highly concerned by reports of Chinese authorities’…
Testimony of Chair Dorjee on Religious Freedom Abuses in China
On September 27, 2018, then Chair Tenzin Dorjee testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations at a hearing entitled, "China's War on Christianity and Other…
USCIRF Calls for Release of Prisoner of Conscience as White House Takes Harder Line on Religious Freedom Violations in China
Oct 5, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5, 2018   USCIRF Calls for Release of Prisoner of Conscience as White House Takes Harder Line on Religious Freedom Violations in China   Christian Underground Church Leader Hu…
USCIRF Strongly Condemns Codification of Repression in Western China
Oct 16, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 16, 2018   USCIRF Strongly Condemns Codification of Repression in Western China “This is a deeply troubling development because it signals that the Chinese government believes it…
USCIRF Welcomes Pakistani Supreme Court’s Decision to Overturn Death Sentence Against Asia Bibi
Oct 31, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 31, 2018   USCIRF Welcomes Pakistani Supreme Court’s Decision to Overturn Death Sentence Against Asia Bibi   WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Commission on International…
Limitations on Minorities' Religious Freedom in South Asia
The full report may be found here.Summary of Findings The right to freely choose and change one’s religion is protected under international law, as is the right to manifest one’s beliefs through teaching those beliefs. While there is a right to propagate…
New USCIRF Report: Anti-Conversion Laws on the Rise in South Asia
Dec 11, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018   New USCIRF Report: Anti-Conversion Laws on the Rise in South Asia USCIRF Calls on U.S. to Press South Asian Governments to Rescind These Laws   WASHINGTON, DC –…
State Department Names the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom
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…
USCIRF Statement on Chinese Authorities’ Crackdown on Early Rain Covenant Church Pastor and Congregants
Dec 12, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2018     USCIRF Statement on Chinese Authorities’ Crackdown on Early Rain Covenant Church Pastor and Congregants   USCIRF is extremely concerned by reports that on…
USCIRF Welcomes Enactment of Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act
Dec 20, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2018     USCIRF Welcomes Enactment of Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act    WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
As Uighur Muslims Demand Video Evidence of Loved Ones, USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee Calls on China to Release Prisoner of Conscience Gulmira Imin
Feb 15, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15, 2019   As Uighur Muslims Demand Video Evidence of Loved Ones, USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee Calls on China to Release Prisoner of Conscience Gulmira Imin   WASHINGTON, DC –…
USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore Calls on Pakistan to Release Prisoner of Conscience Abdul Shakoor
Feb 26, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26, 2019   USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore Calls on Pakistan to Release Prisoner of Conscience Abdul Shakoor   WASHINGTON, DC – Johnnie Moore, Commissioner of the United…
Gulmira Imin
Additional Name(s): Gulmire Imin, گۈلمىرە ئىمىن, 古丽米拉 Gender: Female Current Location: Xinjiang Women’s Prison (Xinjiang No. 2 Prison), Urumqi Perpetrator: China…
Hu Shigen
Additional Name(s): Hu Shenglun, 胡石根, 胡胜伦 Gender: Male Perpetrator: China Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Health Concerns:…
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
Additional Name(s): Gengdeng Queji Nima, 更登确吉*尼玛, དགེ་འདུན་ཆོས་ཀྱི་ཉི་མ་ Gender: Male Perpetrator: China Ethnic Group: Tibetan Religion or Belief…
USCIRF Welcomes Release of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Abdul Shakoor
Mar 19, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2019   USCIRF Welcomes Release of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Abdul Shakoor     WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
USCIRF Commissioners Adopt American Pastor David Lin Through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
Apr 8, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2019   USCIRF Commissioners Adopt American Pastor David Lin Through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project   WASHINGTON, DC – Kristina Arriaga and Tony Perkins…
USCIRF Condemns Terrorist Attack on Shi’a Muslims in Pakistan
Apr 16, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2019       USCIRF Condemns Terrorist Attack on Shi’a Muslims in Pakistan   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
Open Letter from USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee to the Panchen Lama on His 30th Birthday
Apr 25, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 25, 2019   Open Letter to the Missing Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima on His 30th Birthday Your Holiness Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, Tashi Delek or Happy 30th Birthday…
USCIRF Statement on Asia Bibi's Arrival in Canada and Bombing in Lahore
May 8, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2019   USCIRF Statement on Asia Bibi’s Arrival in Canada and Bombing in Lahore   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
USCIRF Strongly Urges Administration to Raise Religious Freedom Violations in China Trade Talks
May 10, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2019   USCIRF Strongly Urges Administration to Raise Religious Freedom Violations in China Trade Talks   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International…
USCIRF Statement on Senate Committee's Holding China’s Human Rights Abusers Accountable
May 23, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2019 USCIRF Statement on Senate Committee’s Holding China’s Human Rights Abusers Accountable   WASHINGTON, DC – In response to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s…