Displaying results 1 - 100 of 217

Click here to view USCIRF's report, Promoting and Protecting Religuous Freedom in Syria .
Apr 19, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal agency created to monitor religious freedom abuses abroad and make policy recommendations to the…
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 16, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 16, 2013 | By USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C.- The two-year armed conflict in Syria has left at least 80,000 people dead and more than 5 million displaced. In his May 13, 2013 press conference with…
Click here to view the July 2013 Factsheet: Syria’s Refugee Crisis and its Implications
Jan 15, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 14, 2014| USCIRF The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged the U.S. government to emphasize the plight of religious minorities and the protection of…
Feb 27, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 27, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the abduction of more than 200 Assyrian Christians by militants of the…
Mar 16, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 16, 2015 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 15 marked the 4th anniversary of the protests in Damascus, Aleppo and Daraa which set the stage for the Syrian conflict.  On this sad…
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…
Dec 1, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 1, 2015 USCIRF Calls for Continued Syrian Refugee Resettlement Rigorous individualized vetting allows the United States to both welcome Syrian refugees and protect security.…
Dec 7, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 7, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today issued the following statement:   USCIRF calls on the U.S. government to…
Mar 14, 2016 For Immediate Release March 14, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 15 marks the 5th anniversary of the peaceful protests that set the stage for the Syrian conflict.  This conflict has spawned a…
Mar 18, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MArch 18, 2016   Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the State Department’s decision proclaiming that groups including Yazidis,…
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,…
USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George testified on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing entitled "Confronting the Genocide of Religious Minorities: A Way Forward."From the testimony: "USCIRF in 2015 called on the U…
Nov 10, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. – As coalition forces begin the liberation of Mosul, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) notes that November 13 is the one-year…
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…
Mar 15, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 15, 2017   WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 15 marks the 6th anniversary of the start of the Syrian conflict. Since the conflict began, an estimated 400,000 people have been killed;…
Apr 27, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in the Georgetown University Berkley Forum on April 26, 2017. The op-ed also appeared in Religious Freedom Institute: Cornerstone.   By former USCIRF Commissioner Thomas J. Reese…
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…
Jun 9, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   USCIRF Commends House Passage of Genocide Accountability Act Urges Senate Action USCIRF declares that “the perpetrators of genocide must be held to account”   WASHINGTON, D.C. –…
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…
Oct 5, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 5, 2017   H.R. 390: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Genocide Bill USCIRF Chairman Mark calls committee action “a key step toward helping victims of ISIS genocide”  …
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,…
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…
Nov 29, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2018   USCIRF Applauds Passage of H.R. 390 by Congress    WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today applauded…
Dec 11, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018   USCIRF Welcomes President Trump Signing the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act    WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on…
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)…
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…
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Click here to view the October 2019 Factsheet on Enforced Disappearances in Malaysia.
Oct 9, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2019   USCIRF Statement on Turkish Offensive in Northeast Syria   WASHINGTON, DC – In response to news reports that Turkey has launched airstrikes on the border region of…
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)…
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…
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…
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 25, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in Newsweek, on July 25, 2020. By USCIRF Vice Chair Anurima Bhargava and Commissioner Nadine Maenza As the world passively watches, Turkey is currently amassing troops on its…
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 - Malaysia Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Malaysia.pdf Language English Year 2026…
Title 2026 Annual Report - Syria Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Syria.pdf Language English Year 2026…
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…
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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…
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…
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.…
Dec 9, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: USCIRF Releases Groundbreaking Report on the Enforcement of Blasphemy Laws Globally WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a…
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Cuba Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Date of Detainment: August/6/2021…
Feb 4, 2021   As the Biden administration begins to formulate its broader human rights policy, USCIRF highlights several priority countries when it comes to international religious freedom. Condemning and preventing…
Feb 25 WHEN: Feb 25th 11:00am - Feb 25th 12:30pm…
Feb 18, 2021   In recent years, northern Iraq has become a battleground for Turkish armed forces and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). In June 2020, Turkey escalated their attacks in the region, announcing military…
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…
Mar 17, 2021 USCIRF Commemorates Fifth Anniversary of ISIS Genocide Recognition Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today joins religious communities in Iraq and Syria—…
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…
View the 2021 Annual Report          
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: USCIRF Hearing: Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Northeast Syria Recommendation:Demand the inclusion of the AANES in all activities pursuant to U.N. Res. 2254,…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: USCIRF Hearing: Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Northeast Syria Recommendation:Recognize the AANES as a legitimate, local government, expand U.S. engagement…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Provide immediate and effective assistance to Syria’s vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities under the terms of the Iraq…
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure that the planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from northeastern Syria is conducted in such a manner that will…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Advocate for the inclusion of representatives from the autonomous administration of Kurdish-majority northeast Syria,…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Support efforts through relevant UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and like-minded partners among the…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue and prioritize the resettlement of Syrian refugees to the United States—subject to proper vetting—with priority…
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Designate Syria as a CPC and redesignate HTS as an EPC for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious…
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: US Treasury Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Syrian government agencies and officials, HTS principals, and the leadership of militias…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Exert pressure on and engage with Turkey to provide a timeline for its withdrawal from all territory that it occupies as…
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Recognize the AANES as a legitimate, local government, and accordingly expand U.S. engagement with its institutions…
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Contribute to efforts in AANES-governed territory to fund and develop local programs to promote religious…
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: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Designate Syria as a CPC and redesignate HTS as an EPC for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious…
Status: implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Syrian government agencies and officials, HTS principals, and the leadership of militias within…