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...that Turkey’s strict adherence to secularism has lead to religious freedom violations for Muslims and non-Muslims alike?Turkey imported and enshrined the French concept of secularism, or laïcité, into its constitution on February 5, 1937. Often…
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 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…
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 22, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 22, 2013 | By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- USCIRF urges President Obama to raise concerns about religious freedom violations in Vietnam when he meets at the White House with Vietnamese…
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,…
...that since August 2011 Turkey has returned more than 300 previously-expropriated properties to the country’s religious minority communities? However, many more properties have not been returned.Starting in 1936, the Turkish government expropriated…
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…
USCIRF Commissioner Eric P. Schwartz testified before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing entitled "The Persecution of Religious and Indigenous Communities in Vietnam."
Click here to view the full written testimony…
Nov 10, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 10, 2014 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two anniversaries this month highlight the importance of continually confronting and combatting anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it arises.…
Nov 20, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 20, 2014 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged the Turkish government to reopen the Greek Orthodox Halki Seminary, the…
Apr 23, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 23, 2015 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today solemnly marks the 100 year anniversary of the tragic killing of over one million…
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…
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…
Nov 24, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 24, 2015
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on the Turkish government to reopen the Greek Orthodox Theological School of Halki,…
Dec 17, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 17, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C – A new study of textbooks used in Turkey’s compulsory “Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge” class found both improvements and issues of concern. The U.S.…
A new study of textbooks used in Turkey's compulsory "Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge" class found both improvements and issues of concern. USCIRF sponsored this study, which was conducted by Ziya Meral, a Turkish expert and 2010 USCIRF Crapa Fellow…
Feb 19, 2016
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
February 19, 2016 | Thomas J. Reese and Mary Ann Glendon
The following op-ed appeared in the America Magazine on February 19, 2016
Religion in Vietnam today looks markedly…
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,…
Nov 10, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 10, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the 10th anniversary of the State Department’s removal of Vietnam’s designation as a “country of particular concern” (or CPC), the U.S. Commission on…
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…
Click here to view Religious Freedom in Vietnam: Assessing the Country of Particular Concern Designation 10 Years After its RemovalClick here to view the Vietnamese translation of Religious Freedom in Vietnam: Assessing the Country of Particular…
Feb 8, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released Religious Freedom in Vietnam: Assessing the Country of Particular…
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…
May 15, 2017
Commissioner Jackie Wolcott sent the following letter to Pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh and Mrs. Tran Thi Hong on May 15, 2017.Click here to view the Vietnamese translation of the letter.
May 15, 2017…
Jul 28, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2017
VIETNAM: Religious Prisoner of Conscience Pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh Released
USCIRF Urges the United States to Continue Raising Religious Freedom with Vietnam
WASHINGTON…
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 6, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2017
TURKEY: USCIRF Delegation Visits Imprisoned U.S. Citizen Pastor Andrew Brunson
Pastor Brunson says, "Knowing that I am not forgotten is important to me"
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Almost…
Oct 11, 2017
USCIRF Vice Chairwoman Kristina Arriaga Testifies Before the House Oversight Committee
Arriaga tells Members that religious freedom violations “have security implications for the United States"
…
Oral StatementAS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY
Commissioner Thomas Reese, S.J.
U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom
Vietnam Caucus/Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Briefing on Religious Freedom in Vietnam
October 24, 2017
AS PREPARED FOR…
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,…
Jan 17, 2018
This Op-Ed appeared originally in Religion News Service on January 11, 2018.
By former USCIRF Commissioners Sandra Jolley and Kristina Arriaga
(RNS) — For most pastors, the beginning of a new…
On February 15, 2018, Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga testified before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing on religious prisoners of conscience.
In her testimony, Vice Chair Arriaga discussed USCIRF's Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project…
Mar 13, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2018
USCIRF Strongly Condemns New Indictment Against Pastor Andrew Brunson, Including Possible Life Sentence
“USCIRF urges President Trump and others in the administration to redouble…
Apr 16, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 16, 2018
Turkey Misses Opportunity to Release Pastor Andrew Brunson, Sets Next Hearing for May 7
“We are deeply disappointed that Turkish officials today decided to prolong their…
May 7, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 7, 2018
Turkey Postpones Hearing to July 18, Sends Pastor Andrew Brunson Back to Prison
“The judge’s decision at the conclusion of today’s hearing to dismiss all of the…
Jul 18, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2018
Pastor Andrew Brunson Returned to Turkish Prison
“The government of Turkey continues to make a mockery of justice in its treatment of Pastor Brunson,” said USCIRF Vice Chair…
Jul 24, 2018
This op-ed was originally published by the Wall Street Journal on Jul9 19, 2018.
By former USCIRF Commissioner Kristina Arriaga
President Trump tweeted Wednesday evening: “A total disgrace that Turkey…
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent the following letter to President Donald Trump on September 14, 2018.
President Donald Trump
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I write to you on behalf of the U.S…
Oct 12, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2018
Pastor Andrew Brunson Is Released
“While we welcome this good news, we should not lose sight of other religious freedom concerns in this country,” said Commissioner…
Oct 12, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2018
Pastor Andrew Brunson and Wife Depart Turkey
Commissioner Tony Perkins Accompanies Pastor Brunson and Wife Norine on Plane to U.S.
“I want to again commend President…
Oct 23, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2018
Vice Chair Arriaga Expresses Concern About Patriarch Thích Quảng Độ
“I am especially concerned about Thích Quảng Độ’s wellbeing because he will turn 90 on November 27…
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…
Mar 8, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019
USCIRF Expresses Condolences on Death of Armenian Patriarch, Mesrob II, and Calls on Turkey to Allow Free Election of New Patriarch
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States…
Mar 28, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2019
USCIRF Condemns Erdogan’s Threats to Change Status of Hagia Sophia
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
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…
Sep 26, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2019
USCIRF Urges U.S. Policymakers to Remain Engaged on Religious Freedom in Turkey
Calls on Turkish Government to Cease Interference in Religious Elections
WASHINGTON, DC…
Additional Name(s):
Bùi Văn Trung
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh
Religion or Belief:
Buddhist – Hoa Hao…
Additional Name(s):
Bùi Văn Thâm
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh
Religion or Belief:
Buddhist – Hoa Hao…
Additional Name(s):
Nguyễn Hoàng Nam
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh
Religion or Belief:
Buddhist – Hoa Hao…
Additional Name(s):
Lê Thị Hồng Hạnh
Gender:
Female
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh
Religion or Belief:
Buddhist – Hoa Hao…
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 10, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2019
USCIRF Statement on Anniversary of Pastor Andrew Brunson’s Release
WASHINGTON, DC – On October 12, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
Nov 7, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 7, 2019
USCIRF Condemns Turkish Air Strikes on Sinjar
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns recent Turkish air…
Nov 20, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 20, 2019
USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava Adopts Nguyen Bac Truyen Through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
WASHINGTON, DC –…
Click here to view the country update on Vietnam's law on belief and religion.
Feb 11
WHEN:
Feb 11th 10:30am…
Feb 24, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25, 2020
USCIRF Mourns the Passing of Patriarch Thích Quảng Độ
Washington, DC — The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) mourned the passing of…
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…
Additional Name(s):
Nguyễn Bắc Truyển
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh
Religion or Belief:
Buddhist – Hoa Hao…
Apr 3, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2020
USCIRF Calls for the Release of Vietnamese Prisoner of Conscience Nguyen Bac Truyen
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…
Apr 24, 2020
This op-ed originally appeared in The Hill on Friday, April 24, 2020. This op-ed was also published in Vietnamese by the Nguoi Viet Daily News on Thursday, April 30, 2020.
By USCIRF Commissioner…
Additional Name(s):
Đỗ Thị Hồng
Gender:
Female
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh
Religion or Belief:
Buddhist – Unspecified/Other…
Additional Name(s):
Đoàn Đình Nam
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Xuyen Moc Prison, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province
Perpetrator:
Vietnam…
Additional Name(s):
Đoàn Văn Cư
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Prison No. 5, Yen Dinh, Thanh Hoa
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Lê Đức Động
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
An Diem Prison, Dai Loc, Quang Nam
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Lê Duy Lộc
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Prison No. 5, Yen Dinh, Thanh Hoa
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Lê Xuân Phúc
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Xuyen Moc Prison, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Lê Trọng Cư
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Prison No. 5, Yen Dinh, Thanh Hoa
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Lương Nhật Quang
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Prison No. 6, Thanh Chuong, Nghe An
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Nguyễn Dinh
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Xuan Loc Prison, Xuan Loc, Dong Nai
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Nguyễn Kỳ Lạc
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Xuan Loc Prison, Xuan Loc, Dong Nai
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Nguyễn Thái Bình
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
An Diem Prison, Dai Loc, Quang Nam
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Phan Thanh Tường
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Xuan Loc Prison, Xuan Loc, Dong Nai
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Phan Thanh Ý
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh
Religion or Belief:
Buddhist – Unspecified/Other…
Additional Name(s):
Phan Văn Thu, Trần Công
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Gia Trung Prison, Mang Yang, Gia Lai
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:…
Additional Name(s):
Tạ Khu
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Xuyen Moc Prison, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Trần Phi Dũng
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Prison No. 6, Thanh Chuong, Nghe An
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Trần Quân
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
An Diem Prison, Dai Loc, Quang Nam
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Từ Thiện Lương
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
An Phuoc Prison, An Thai Commune, Phu Giao, Binh Duong
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic…
Additional Name(s):
Võ Ngọc Cư
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Xuyen Moc Prison, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Võ Thành Lê
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Xuyen Moc Prison, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Võ Tiết
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Prison No 6, Thanh Chuong, Nghe An
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Kinh…
Additional Name(s):
Vương Tấn Sơn
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Xuyen Moc Prison, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:…
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…
Jun 9, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Releases New Report about Religious Prisoners of Conscience in Vietnam
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Gia Lai
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Jarai
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Protestant…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Jarai
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture…
Additional Name(s):
Rmah Bla, Ama Em
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Jarai
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Protestant…
Additional Name(s):
Ama Map
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Gia Trung Prison, Gia Lai
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Jarai…
Additional Name(s):
Ama Yem
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Gia Trung Prison, Gia Lai
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Jarai…
Additional Name(s):
Ama H’Yung
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Gia Trung Prison, Gia Lai
Perpetrator:
Vietnam
Ethnic Group:
Jarai…
Jun 19, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2020
USCIRF Condemns Turkish Military Operations in Northern Iraq
Calls on Turkish President to Cease Air Strikes and Violence Targeting Civilian Areas
Washington, DC – The U.S.…