Displaying results 1 - 100 of 271

CIRF Urges Laos, N. Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern
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…
Public Hearing: Religious Freedom in North Korea
Longworth House Office Building, Room 1302Photo Gallery: Commission members (left to right): Richard D. Land, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Bishop William Francis Murphy, Felice D. Gaer, Executive Director Steven T. McFarland,…
North Korea: Human Rights Ground Zero:
University of California at Los Angeles January 27, 2004 Transcript Welcome and Introductory Remarks - Michael K. Young, Commission Chair and Dean, George Washington University Law School Oral Testimony Panel One Roger…
Press Conference on North Korea Report: "Thank You Father Kim Il Sung"
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM "THANK YOU FATHER KIM IL SUNG" November 15, 2005 Speakers: MICHAEL CROMARTIE, THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BISHOP RICARDO RAMIREZ, THE UNITED…
Ensure Human Rights Are on the Agenda With North Korea, Commission Urges President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2002 Contact: Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent federal agency advising the Administration…
Press Conference and Briefing on North Korea
Transcript Introductory Remarks by Chair Michael Cromartie Introductory Remarks by Commissioner Imam Talal Y. Eid Remarks by Chair Cromartie
Did You Know...Eritrea
...that the Eritrean government, one of the most repressive governments in the world where a recent coup attempt just failed, has placed Eritrean Orthodox Church Patriarch Abune Antonios under house arrest since January 2006?Eritrea has been called the…
Did You Know...North Korea
...that since 1945 North Korea’s once-diverse and vibrant religious community has largely disappeared?North Korea’s reactions to new sanctions, including its latest nuclear threats and declaration invalidating the 1953 Armistice ending the Korean War,…
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…
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…
The Seattle Times -- World must pressure North Korea on human rights
Oct 27, 2014 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONOctober 27, 2014 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon The following op-ed appeared in The Seattle Times on October 24, 2014 NORTH Korea’s release of Jeffrey Fowle, imprisoned for leaving…
North Korea Must be Held Accountable for its Abysmal Human Rights Record
Dec 22, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 22, 2014 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the UN General Assembly’s passage on December 18 of a resolution that…
USCIRF Calls for Release of Eritrean Orthodox Patriarch Abune Antonios
Jan 20, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 20, 2015 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. – This January marks the eighth anniversary of the illegal removal of Eritrean Orthodox Patriarch Abune Antonios from his position as head of the…
The Christian Science Monitor - Is Eritrea the North Korea of Africa?
Aug 18, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONAugust 18, 2015 | Robert P. George and Thomas J. Reese The following op-ed appeared in The Christian Science Monitor on August 18, 2015 Is Eritrea guilty of crimes against humanity? The question…
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…
North Korea: USCIRF Urges Religious Freedom Be Included in UN Security Council Human Rights Meeting
Dec 9, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 9, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends the United States and eight other countries for requesting a meeting of the UN Security…
USCIRF: Release Eritrean Orthodox Patriarch Abune Antonios
Jan 19, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 19, 2016   The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) solemnly marks the 10 year anniversary tomorrow of the illegal removal and detention of Eritrean…
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,…
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…
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…
CUBA: After Fidel Castro
Dec 2, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2016   WASHINGTON, DC – With the passing of Fidel Castro on November 25, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges the Cuban government to take a…
ERITREA: Release Patriarch Abune Antonios
Jan 18, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 18, 2017   WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 20, 2017 marks the 11-year anniversary of the Eritrean government’s illegal removal of Abune Antonios as the rightful Patriarch of the…
CUBA: USCIRF Condemns the Expulsion of Félix Yuniel Llerena López from the University of Cuba
May 9, 2017 CUBA: USCIRF Condemns the Expulsion of Félix Yuniel Llerena López from the University of CubaUSCIRF Calls on the University to Reinstate Félix as a Student and for the Castro Government to Cease Its Harassment of Him…
Religion News Service: Stripped of his title and illegally replaced, Eritrea’s spiritual leader languishes in detention
Jul 19, 2017 The following op-ed originally appeared in Religion News Service on July 19, 2017 By former USCIRF Commissioner Thomas J. Reese, S.J.   (RNS) — Stories speak to the best and worst in all of us,…
Washington Examiner: Restoring religious freedom in the 'North Korea of Africa'
Oct 19, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in The Washington Examiner on September 26, 2017   By former USCIRF Commissioner Thomas J. Reese   Torture. Arbitrary arrests and detention without charges. A ban…
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,…
Testimony of Commissioner Thomas Reese on Refugees and Religious Freedom Eritrea
On April 18, 2018, Commissioner Father Thomas Reese testified before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing on the refugee crisis in Eritrea.In his testimony, Chair Reese discussed USCIRF's Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.…
Religious Freedom and Related Human Rights in North Korea
Click here to view the Policy Update: Religious Freedom and Related Human Rights in North Korea
USCIRF Statement on Release of New Policy Update on Religious Freedom in North Korea
Nov 30, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2018   USCIRF Statement on Release of New Policy Update on Religious Freedom in North Korea WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
USCIRF Calls on Cuba to Cease Harassment of Religious Leaders, Strengthen Religious Freedom Language in New Constitution
Dec 11, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018     USCIRF Calls on Cuba to Cease Harassment of Religious Leaders, Strengthen Religious Freedom Language in New Constitution   Current Draft Weakens…
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 Urges President Trump to Address Religious Freedom Abuses in North Korea
Feb 27, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2019     USCIRF Urges President Trump to Address Religious Freedom Abuses in North Korea WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom…
Isaac Mogos
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: Yes…
Negede Teklemariam
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: Yes…
Paulos Eyasu
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: Yes…
Abune Antonios
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Orthodox Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes…
USCIRF Condemns Cuban Authorities’ Crackdown on Homeschooling Pastor and Wife
Apr 24, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2019 USCIRF Condemns Cuban Authorities’ Crackdown on Homeschooling Pastor and Wife   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
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
USCIRF Statement on Cuba Preventing Religious Leaders from Attending International Religious Freedom Meeting
Jul 16, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2019   USCIRF Statement on Cuba Preventing Religious Leaders from Attending International Religious Freedom Meeting   WASHINGTON, DC – In response to the prohibition of…
Country Update: Eritrea — August 2019
Click here to view the August 2019 Country Update: Eritrea.
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…
Kidane Weldou
Gender: Male Current Location: Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant…
Haile Naizghe
Gender: Male Current Location: Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant…
Meron Gebreselasie
Gender: Male Current Location: Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant…
Kiflu Gebremeskel
Gender: Male Current Location: Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant…
Aron Abraha
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Mussie Fessehaye
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Ambakom Tsegazeab
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Bemnet Fissehaye
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Henok Ghebru
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Werede Kiros
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Yonatan Yonas
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Kibreab Fissehaye
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Bereket Abraha Okba-gabr
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Yosief Fessehaye
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Yoel Tsegezab
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Samuel Ghirmay
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Teklu Gebrehiwot
Gender: Male Current Location: Adi Abeto Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Isaias Afeworki
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Milen Isaac
Gender: Female Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Faiza Seid
Gender: Female Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Hagos Woldemichael
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Araia Ghebremariam
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Tsegabirhan Berhe
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Daniel Meharizghi
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Yosief Tesfamariam
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Ghebru Berhane
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Tekle Gebrehiwet
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Thomas Tesfagabir
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Mardocai Estifanos
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Michael Gashazgi
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Liya Hidru
Gender: Female Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
Wintana Shewaseged
Gender: Female Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Mikaal Taddesse
Gender: Female Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Emnet Woldai
Gender: Female Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Senait Berhane
Gender: Female Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Bereket Habteyesus
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Habtemariam Meraf Seyum
Gender: Female Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Samuol Dawit
Gender: Female Current Location: Adi Abeto Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Yonatan Asgedom
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Daniel Teka
Gender: Male Current Location: Mai Serwa Prison Perpetrator: Eritrea Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Webinar #5: Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List
Host: Gayle Manchin, Vice ChairSubject Experts: Zack Udin and Kirsten Lavery     For more information, please contact Henry Young at [email protected].
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  …
USCIRF Disappointed UN Security Council Did Not Discuss Religious Freedom in North Korea
Dec 16, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2019       USCIRF Disappointed UN Security Council Did Not Discuss Religious Freedom in North Korea   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on…
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Cuba
Mar 10, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 10, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Cuba   Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
USCIRF Welcomes the Release of Ayda Expósito, Calls for Release of Other Religious Prisoners of Conscience in Cuba
Apr 3, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2020 USCIRF Welcomes the Release of Ayda Expósito, Calls for Release of Other Religious Prisoners of Conscience in Cuba Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International…
USCIRF Commissioner James Carr Adopts Deacon Zhang Wen Shi of North Korea and Pastor A Dao of Vietnam through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
May 29, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 29, 2020 USCIRF Commissioner James Carr Adopts Deacon Zhang Wen Shi of North Korea and Pastor A Dao of Vietnam through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project Washington, DC – United States Commission on…
USCIRF Welcomes the Release of Pastor Ramón Rigal, Calls for Release of Roberto Jesus Quinones Haces
Jul 1, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Welcomes the Release of Pastor Ramón Rigal, Calls for Release of Roberto Jesus Quinones Haces Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Human Rights Advocacy and the North Korea Nuclear Impasse
Jul 8, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases New Report about Human Rights Advocacy and the North Korea Nuclear Impasse Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
Patriarch Abune Antonios
USCIRF ADVOCATE: Johnnie Moore Advocacy: Ope-Ed: Religion News Service -- Stripped of his title and illegally…
The National Interest: There Shall Be No God But Kim: Religious Freedom in North Korea
Aug 2, 2020 This op-ed originally appears in The National Interest, on August 2, 2020. By USCIRF Commissioners James W. Carr and Frederick A. Davie For years, Deacon Jang Moon Seok ministered to North Koreans…
Patriarch Abune Antonios
USCIRF ADVOCATE: James W. Carr Advocacy: USCIRF Mourns the Passing of Patriarch Abune Antonios…
Deacon Zhang Wen Shi
Advocacy: Event: FoRB Victims List and Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project Update, February 25, 2021…
Cuba Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Cuba Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Cuba.pdf Language English Year 2026…
Eritrea Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Eritrea Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Eritrea.pdf Language English Year 2026…
North Korea Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - North Korea Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report North Korea.pdf Language English Year…