Displaying results 1 - 9 of 9

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…
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…
USCIRF Releases Report on the New Constitution and Religious Freedom in Cuba
Jul 5, 2022 USCIRF Releases Report on the New Constitution and Religious Freedom in Cuba Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a new report titled “…
The Abuse of Extremism Laws in Central Asia
Central Asian governments’ legislation, including extremism laws, has been influenced by decades of Soviet rule of the region. When the governments of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan enforce extremism laws, they…
USCIRF Releases Report on the Abuse of Extremism Laws in Central Asia
Dec 31, 2024 USCIRF Releases Report on the Abuse of Extremism Laws in Central Asia Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report: The Abuse of Extremism Laws in Central Asia –…
USCIRF Alarmed by Regressive Amendments to Kyrgyz Laws
Jan 31, 2025 USCIRF Alarmed by Regressive Amendments to Kyrgyz Laws Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) decries recent amendments to the religion law and related legislation in Kyrgyzstan. The…
The Abuse of Extremism Laws in Central Asia
May 30, 2025  The governments of Central Asia—that is Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—influenced by decades of Soviet rule, maintain similar legislation to combat “extremism.” Each of these governments uses these laws…
Central Asia Hearing Summary
On September 9, 2025, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a hearing: Laws Regulating Religion in Central Asia. USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler and Vice Chair Asif Mahmood led the hearing. Members of civil society…
Kyrgyzstan Country Update
In June 2025, a USCIRF delegation traveled to Kyrgyzstan to meet with civil society and government officials to discuss religious freedom conditions, including the passage of the 2025 religion law and amendments to related legislation. These legislative…