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Commission Issues Recommendations to Promote Religious Freedom in Uzbekistan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 13, 2001 Contact: Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent government agency advising the…
Commission Says U.S. Must Press Uzbekistan on Religious Freedom
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2002 Contact: Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 WASHINGTON - The upcoming visit of Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov affords President Bush and the Secretary of State the…
Did You Know...Uzbekistan
. . . that Uzbekistan pressures neighboring Central Asian countries to return asylum seekers who have fled Uzbek government repression of their religious freedoms?Since Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, its government has systematically and…
USCIRF Letter to Secretary Kerry on the Sixteenth Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent the following letter to Secretary of State Kerry on April 12, 2013. The Honorable John F. Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Department of State Washington, DC 20520 Dear Secretary Kerry: I…
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…
Uzbekistan: Ten Years after the Andijon Tragedy
May 13, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 13, 2015 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Andijon massacre.  On May 13, 2005, as…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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 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…
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…
Aramais Avakian
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Uzbekistan Ethnic Group: Armenian Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other Reports of…
Ruhiddin Fahriddinov
Additional Name(s): Ruhiddin Fahrutdinov, Ruhiddin Fazlitdinovich Fahrutdinov Gender: Male Perpetrator: Uzbekistan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni…
Uzbekistan Country Update
Read the full report here.This report provides an assessment of religious freedom conditions in Uzbekistan, where USCIRF commissioners and staff traveled twice over the course of 2019. Although Uzbekistan has taken some important initial steps to allow…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Uzbekistan
Jan 31, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 31, 2020   USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Uzbekistan   Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
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…
Newsweek: Religious Freedom in a Changing World
Jun 7, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared on Newsweek By USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins and Vice Chair Gayle Manchin.  From the coronavirus pandemic to the use of surveillance, freedom of religion or belief…
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)…
The Diplomat: Uzbekistan Must Stay on the Path of Religious Freedom Reform
Jul 9, 2020 This op-ed originally appears in The Diplomat, on July 9, 2020. By USCIRF Commissioners Nadine Maenza and Nury Turkel For many years, Uzbekistan presented a bleak picture in a region notorious for poor human…
USCIRF Releases Report on the Anti-cult Movement and Religious Regulation in Russia and Central Asia
Jul 17, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases Report on the Anti-cult Movement and Religious Regulation in Russia and Central Asia Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Khayrullo Tursunov
Additional Name(s): Khayrullo Turdiyevich Tursunov Gender: Male Current Location: Investigation Prison No. 5 in Karshi (Shaykhali Prison) Perpetrator: Uzbekistan…
Cuba Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Cuba Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Cuba.pdf Language English Year 2026…
Uzbekistan Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Uzbekistan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Uzbekistan.pdf Language English Year…
Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett, 2013 Annual Report, National Endowment for Democracy
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…
Factsheet: Conscientious Objection
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…
Webinar #5: Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List
Nov 06 WHEN: Nov 6th 2:00pm…
2018 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom
Jul 25 WHEN: Jul 25th 5:00pm - Jul 25th 7:00pm…
USCIRF Events During 2019 Ministerial
Jul 16 WHEN: Jul 16th 4:00pm - Jul 18th 2:00pm…
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing Protecting Houses of Worship and Holy Sites
Oct 23 WHEN: Oct 23rd 3:00pm…
USCIRF Update with USAID: The President’s Executive Order on International Religious Freedom
Aug 05 WHEN: Aug 5th 10:30am…
USCIRF Hearing on Religious Freedom in Russia and Central Asia
Sep 16 WHEN: Sep 16th 10:30pm - Sep 15th 12:00pm…
USCIRF Welcomes Legal Reform Efforts in Uzbekistan, Urges Conformity with International Standards
Oct 30, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   USCIRF Welcomes Legal Reform Efforts in Uzbekistan, Urges Conformity with International Standards WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Issue Update: The Global Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses
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…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Nov 10, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 10, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Report about Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
2021 Update on Religious Freedom Conditions
Jan 22, 2021       Targeting of religious minorities in Russia, mass atrocities in China, Nigeria as a country of particular concern, and Antisemitism on the rise worldwide. The events of 2020 cast a long…
Denis Rosabal
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Cuba Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Date of Detainment: August/6/2021…
Factsheet: The Santería Tradition in Cuba
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…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Santería in Cuba
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…
Santería in Cuba
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…
Uzbekistan: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
Mar 11, 2021 There have been notable improvements to religious freedom conditions in Uzbekistan in recent years. The government’s ongoing effort to revise the restrictive 1998 Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious…
USCIRF Releases 2021 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
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…
2021 Annual Report
View the 2021 Annual Report          
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Religious Prisoners of Conscience Recommendation:Press for at the highest levels and work to secure…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Religious Prisoners of Conscience Recommendation:Urge the Uzbek government to close the notorious…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the Uzbek government to revise the 1998 Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Establish a binding agreement with the Uzbek government, as authorized under section 405(c) of IRFA, on…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Religious Prisoners of Conscience Recommendation:Press at the highest levels for the immediate release…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the government of Uzbekistan to revise the 1998 religion law to comply with international…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Maintain Uzbekistan on the State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Allocate funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Embassy in Tashkent to…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Press at the highest levels for the immediate release of individuals imprisoned for their peaceful…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the government of Uzbekistan to revise the 1998 religion law and other relevant…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Uzbekistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Uzbekistan on the State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe…
Do USCIRF Policy Recommendations Get Implemented?
Jun 17, 2021 The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) mandates USCIRF to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. In addition to making recommendations, USCIRF’s mandate…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
Recommendations
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…
USCIRF Condemns the Detention of Religious Leaders Amid Protests in Cuba
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…
USCIRF Concerned by New Uzbekistan Religion Law
Jul 16, 2021 USCIRF Concerned by New Uzbekistan Religion Law Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed its disappointment that Uzbekistan’s new Religion Law fails to address the most serious…
Lisdiani Rodríguez Isaac
Gender: Female Perpetrator: Cuba Ethnic Group: Yoruba Religion or Belief: Santería Sentence: 8 Years…
Lisdani Rodríguez Isaac
Gender: Female Perpetrator: Cuba Ethnic Group: Yoruba Religion or Belief: Santería Sentence: 8 Years…
Donaida Pérez Paseiro
Gender: Female Current Location: Guamajal prison in Villa Clara Perpetrator: Cuba Ethnic Group: Yoruba Religion or Belief: Santería…
Loreto Hernández García
Gender: Male Current Location: Provincial Prison, Santa Clara Perpetrator: Cuba Ethnic Group: Yoruba Religion or Belief: Santería…
Elizabeth Cintra García
Gender: Female Perpetrator: Cuba Ethnic Group: Yoruba Religion or Belief: Santería Reports of Torture: No…
Yarian Sierra Madrigal
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Cuba Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Date of Detainment: July/11/2021…
Yéremi Blanco Ramírez
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Cuba Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Date of Detainment: July/11/2021…
Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Cuba Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Reports of Torture: Yes…
Jorge Naranjo
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Cuba Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Sentence: 1 Year's House Arrest…
Protests in Cuba Impact Religious Freedom
Jul 27, 2021 Cuba’s government has long been responsible for violating its citizens right to freedom of religion or belief. In its 2021 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the State Department again place Cuba on its Special…
Ibrahim Figueredo Fonseca
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Cuba Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Sentence: 9 Months' Imprisonment…
Factsheet on Protests in Cuba and Religious Freedom
Thousands of Cubans took to the streets nationwide on July 11, 2021 to call for greater freedom and relief from the country’s economic and COVID-19 crises. Cuban authorities responded by detaining, often violently, an estimated 700 demonstrators and…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Protests in Cuba and Religious Freedom
Sep 20, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report about Protests in Cuba and Religious Freedom Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following factsheet on the July 11…
USCIRF Conversation: New Report on Uzbekistan’s Religious Prisoners
Oct 13 WHEN: Oct 13th 2:00pm - Oct 13th 3:00pm…
Usman Darvyshov
Additional Name(s): Усмон Дарвишов, Усман Дарвышов Gender: Male Perpetrator: Uzbekistan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni…
Fayzulla Agzamov
Additional Name(s): Fayzulla Saidkarimovich Agzamov, Файзулла Саидкаримович Агзамов, Файзулла Саидкаримович Агзамов Gender: Male Current Location: CEP 17, Karaulbazar, Bukhara…