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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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)…
Jun 24
WHEN:
Jun 24th 6:59pm…
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
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…
Jul 24
WHEN:
Jul 24th 1:00pm
-
Jul 24th 1:00pm…
Click here to view the October 2019 Factsheet on Enforced Disappearances in Malaysia.
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)…
Feb 11
WHEN:
Feb 11th 10:30am…
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…
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…
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…
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)…
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…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Cuba Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Cuba.pdf
Language
English
Year
2026…
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…
Conscientious objection to military service is frequently connected to freedom of religion or belief, as many conscientious objectors are motivated by deeply-held religious beliefs. The right to conscientious objection is recognized under international…
Oct 23
WHEN:
Oct 23rd 3:00pm…
Aug 05
WHEN:
Aug 5th 10:30am…
Sep 16
WHEN:
Sep 16th 10:30pm
-
Sep 15th 12:00pm…
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.…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Cuba
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Protestant
Date of Detainment:
August/6/2021…
Feb 25
WHEN:
Feb 25th 11:00am
-
Feb 25th 12:30pm…
Factsheet: The Santería Tradition in Cuba
Factsheet on the Santería Tradition in Cuba - This factsheet provides a brief overview of the traditions of the Santeria community in Cuba and highlights the religious freedom violations that…
Feb 22, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report about Santería in Cuba
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following factsheet on the Santería tradition in…
Mar 5, 2021
Santería is a syncretic religion that incorporates elements of Catholicism with the religion of the Yoruba people, who were brought as slaves to Cuba from the Congo basin and West Africa in the 16th century.
While…
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…
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: implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: U.S. State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Religious prisioners
Recommendation:Highlight religious freedom violations in specific prisoner of conscience…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Travel
Recommendation:Prioritize adequate coverage of religious freedom issues as well as access to…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Restrictions on religious activities
Recommendation:Press the Cuban government to include in the new constitution…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Travel
Recommendation:Facilitate multi-entry visas for both registered and unregistered Cuban religious leaders to…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: U.S. State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Multilateral engagement
Recommendation:Encourage key countries, particularly those in Latin America, to ensure…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: U.S. State Department
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Designation
Recommendation:Maintain Cuba on the State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Sanctions
Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Cuban government agencies and officials responsible for severe…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Journalism
Recommendation:Ensure that programs that support independent journalism in Cuba are responsive in…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: U.S. Department of State
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Travel
Recommendation:Enable the processing of visas in Havana for religious leaders, along with activists…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: U.S. State Department
Source: 2021 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Designation
Recommendation:Maintain Cuba on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2021 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Sanctions
Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Cuban government agencies and officials responsible for severe…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2021 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Public statements
Recommendation:Publicly denounce violations of religious freedom and related human rights in Cuba and…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2021 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Travel
Recommendation:Encourage Cuban authorities to extend an official invitation for an unrestricted visits by USCIRF…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Cuba
Recommended To: Congress and the Administration
Source: 2021 Annual Report
Recommendation:Increase opportunities for Cuban religious leaders from both registered and unregistered religious communities…
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 13, 2021
USCIRF Condemns the Detention of Religious Leaders Amid Protests in Cuba
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) denounced the detention of religious leaders during…
Gender:
Female
Perpetrator:
Cuba
Ethnic Group:
Yoruba
Religion or Belief:
Santería
Sentence:
8 Years…
Gender:
Female
Perpetrator:
Cuba
Ethnic Group:
Yoruba
Religion or Belief:
Santería
Sentence:
8 Years…