Displaying results 11 - 20 of 27

Kirsten Lavery
August 10, 2020
Kirsten Lavery Supervisory Policy Analyst Email Kirsten Lavery is Supervisory Policy Analyst and Team Lead for International Law, Africa, and Latin America for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Prior to joining USCIRF, Ms. Lavery worked at the Public International Law & Policy Group and provided legal and policy assistance to civil society representatives in conflict and post-conflict states. Her work focused on transitional justice and human rights documentation, as well as legal and policy reforms to advance human rights protections. Ms. Lavery has also worked on a range of international legal issues at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the UN Office of Legal Affairs, the UN Office of Human Resources Management, and the International Narcotics Control Board. Ms. Lavery previously practiced law in the New York office of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, where she focused on international criminal investigations. Through her pro bono practice and prior clinic work, she has experience representing clients in immigration proceedings, including in asylum cases based on religious persecution. She holds a B.A. in Government and Spanish from Franklin & Marshall College and a J.D. with a specialization in International & Comparative Law from Tulane University Law School.   Ms. Lavery monitors and reports on Laws Restricting Religious Freedom. 
2018 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom
August 28, 2020
Jul 25 WHEN: Jul 25th 5:00pm - Jul 25th 7:00pm During the week of the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted the following events: 20th Anniversary of IRFA Reception United States Institute of Peace (USIP) 2301 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20037 Wednesday, July 25 from 5:00-7:00 pm   U.S. Government Grant Workshop Government Publishing Office 732 North Capitol Street, N.W. Harding Hall Washington, DC, 20401  Thursday, July 26 from 2:00-5:00pm  
USCIRF Events During 2019 Ministerial
August 28, 2020
Jul 16 WHEN: Jul 16th 4:00pm - Jul 18th 2:00pm During the week of the 2019 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, USCIRF participated through the following events:   Tuesday, July 16 The Mass Destruction and Desecration of Uyghur Mosques in China Sponsored by Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) Speaking: Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee 4:00 - 5:00 pm George Washington University* Marvin Center A Conversation with U.S. Lawmakers on Religious Persecution Sponsored by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Congressional Caucus and Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) Speaking: Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee 6:00 - 7:30 pm Capitol Visitor Center (HVC 201) First Street SE Washington, DC 20004 Will Religious Freedom Survive in Northeast Syria? Sponsored by Family Research Council (FRC) Speaking: Chair Tony Perkins 6:00 - 7:30 pm Family Research Council 801 G Street NW Washington, DC 20001   Wednesday, July 17 Best Practices in International Religious Freedom Advocacy (Breakout Session) Speaking: Commissioner Kristina Arriaga 10:45 - 12:15 pm State Department* Deep Dive — Challenges to Religious Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa (Breakout Session) Speaking: Director of Research & Policy Dwight Bashir 10:45 am - 12:15 pm State Department* Monitoring International Religious Freedom (Breakout Session) Speaking: Chair Tony Perkins and Vice Chair Gayle Manchin; Q&A with all Commissioners 1:15 - 2:45 pm State Department* Journalism and International Religious Freedom (Breakout Session) Speaking: Commissioner Johnnie Moore 1:15 - 2:45 pm State Department* Quantifying Religious Freedom: A 10-Year Global Analysis of Pew Research Sponsored by Christianity Today and Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) Speaking: Commissioner Kristina Arriaga 1:30 - 3:00 pm George Washington University* Marvin Center Deep Dive — Challenges to Religious Freedom in East Asia and Pacific (Breakout Session) Speaking: Deputy Director of Research & Policy Tina Mufford 1:45 - 3:15 pm State Department* Shining a Light on the Uyghur Crisis & Reflecting on Our Global Movement for Religious Freedom (Ministerial Reception) Sponsored by IRF Roundtable Speaking: Vice Chair Nadine Maenza 6:00 - 8:00 pm United States Institute of Peace 2301 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20037 The Role of International Religious Freedom in U.S. Foreign Policy Sponsored by the Loeb Institute for Religious Freedom, George Washington University Speaking: Commissioners Anurima Bhargava and Johnnie Moore The George Washington Textile Museum 701 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20052 5:15 - 6:30 pm     Thursday, July 18 U.S. Government Grant Training (Hosted by USCIRF) Opening Remarks: Vice Chair Gayle Manchin 9:00 - 11:00 am Government Publishing Office Harding Hall 732 N. Capitol Street, NW Washington, DC 201401 The Impact of War on Religious Freedom Speaking: Vice Chair Nadine Maenza and Commissioner Kristina Arriaga 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Museum of the Bible 400 4th Street SW Washington, DC 20024 Falun Gong Rally Speaking: Vice Chair Gayle Manchin 11:30 am - 1:00 pm West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Christian Holy Sites and Holy Places in the Middle East Sponsored by International Community of the Holy Sepulchre and Hudson Institute's Working Group on Christians and Religious Pluralism in the Middle East Speaking: Commissioner Kristina Arriaga 12:00 - 2:00 pm Washington School of International Affairs 1957 E Street NW Washington, DC 20052   For more information about the 2019 Ministerial, click here. For more information about side events taking place during the Ministerial, click here.
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing Protecting Houses of Worship and Holy Sites
August 28, 2020
Oct 23 WHEN: Oct 23rd 3:00pm   U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing Protecting Houses of Worship and Holy Sites Wednesday, October 23, 2019 3:00 – 4:30 PM 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building Hearing Summary Hearing Transcript Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a hearing about the global targeting of houses of worship and holy sites around the world and how to protect them. Houses of worship and other religious sites should be sanctuaries where worshippers feel safe to practice their faith. Tragically, as the 2019 incidents in New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Burkina Faso attest, attacks on houses of worship are increasingly occurring around the globe. These attacks aim to destroy the place of worship precisely for its religious significance, cause harm to a unique religious group, and instill fear in those that worship there. Alongside these horrific attacks, places of worship are often harmed more subtly through the misuse of registration procedures to prevent their construction or renovation, the malicious surveillance of holy sites to intimidate worshippers, or acts of vandalism that aim to send a threatening message and harm property. Different types of buildings and properties that are significant to religious communities, such as cemeteries, monasteries, or community centers, also have been targeted. While violent attacks on such places are typically committed by non-state actors, less overt forms of harms and restrictions are often imposed by state authorities as well. This includes the failure of states to ensure the preservation of sacred places, places of worship, and cultural property that constitutes the cultural or spiritual heritage of people. How can the international community better work together to stem the global violent targeting of houses of worship? Witnesses will highlight U.S. programs, intergovernmental initiatives, interfaith efforts, and other policy recommendations that aim to ensure that holy places remain safe havens and not sites of bloodshed. Opening Remarks Panel I
  • Honorable Sam Brownback, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, U.S. Department of State Written Testimony  
Panel II
  • H.E. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative, U.N. Alliance of Civilizations Written Testimony  
Panel III
  • Hassan Abbas, Distinguished Professor of International Relations at Near East South Asia Strategic Studies Center, National Defense University Written Testimony  
  • Sharon Rosen, Global Director for Religious Engagement, Search for Common Ground Written Testimony
Bios This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. Members of the media can RSVP at media@uscirf.gov. The hearing will be livestreamed via the Commission website. For any questions please contact Jamie Staley at Jstaley@uscirf.gov or 202-786-0606.
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
February 11, 2020
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Briefing Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE Tuesday, February 11, 2020 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Senate Visitors Center (SVC) 203-02 Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a briefing on the nexus of freedom of religion or belief and security, including findings from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ (ODIHR) recent publication, Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: Policy Guidance. In the OSCE region, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is violated by some governments who use the pretext of national security to justify repression. For example, in Russia’s Tatarstan region, cameras are installed in mosques to transmit videos of worshippers during their prayers to state security services. In Uzbekistan, thousands of religious prisoners remain incarcerated for “extremism” or the possession of “extremist” religious literature. In Azerbaijan, authorities continue to deny legal registration to Baptists and Jehovah’s Witnesses residing outside the capital. Although these actions aim to improve security, failure to balance security with freedom of religion or belief can actually undermine it. Freedom of Religion or Belief: Policy Guidance clarifies the interrelationship between FoRB and security as mutually reinforcing objectives, in line with the OSCE’s comprehensive framework for peace and security. The document includes guiding principles, practical guidance, and recommendations to address pertinent issues at the intersection of the freedom of religion and security, including the registration of religious communities, religious literature deemed “extremist”, the monitoring of places of worship, and restrictions on conversion. Panelists will present the policy guidance document, discuss its findings and recommendations, further explore the intersection of security and FoRB, and consider tools and strategies for governments and other relevant stakeholders to advance both objectives simultaneously. There will be an interactive question and answer period with audience members after the panelist presentations. Remarks Panelists
  • Kishan Manocha, Senior Advisor on Freedom of Religion or Belief, OSCE/ODIHR
  • Douglas Padgett, U.S. Department of State, Office of International Religious Freedom
  • Elizabeth Clark, Professor of Law, Brigham Young University School of Law
              This briefing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. RSVP is required. Please RSVP to events@uscirf.gov by Friday, February 7. For any questions please contact Jamie Staley at Jstaley@uscirf.gov or 202-786-0606. 732 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW SUITE A714 | WASHINGTON, DC 20401 | (202) 523-3240   Tony Perkins, Chair · Gayle Manchin, Vice Chair · Nadine Maenza, Vice Chair  Gary Bauer · Anurima Bhargava · James W. Carr · Tenzin Dorjee Sharon Kleinbaum · Johnnie Moore Erin D. Singshinsuk, Executive Director www.uscirf.gov The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad.    
USCIRF Update with USAID: The President’s Executive Order on International Religious Freedom
August 31, 2020
Aug 05 WHEN: Aug 5th 10:30am   U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom USCIRF Update with USAID: The President’s Executive Order on International Religious Freedom Wednesday, August 5, 2020 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET Virtual Event Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual event about President Trump’s recent Executive Order to advance international religious freedom across the federal government and its implementation at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  This discussion will highlight key aspects of this Executive Order, USAID’s current plans underway to implement it, and the impact it will have on USAID’s programming in the future. USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin and Vice Chair Tony Perkins will discuss these issues with USAID Acting Administrator John Barsa. USCIRF Director of Outreach and Policy Dwight Bashir will moderate the discussion, which will be followed by questions and answers from attendees. Panelists Moderator
  • Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF
This virtual event is open to the public and media. The video recording will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please contact media@uscirf.gov.   Gayle Manchin, Chair · Tony Perkins, Vice Chair · Anurima Bhargava, Vice Chair Gary Bauer · James Carr · Frederick Davie · Nadine Maenza · Johnnie Moore · Nury Turkel Erin D. Singshinsuk, Executive Director www.uscirf.gov The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad.
Webinar #5: Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List
August 28, 2020
Nov 06 WHEN: Nov 6th 2:00pm Host: Gayle Manchin, Vice Chair Subject Experts: Zack Udin and Kirsten Lavery     For more information, please contact Henry Young at hyoung@uscirf.gov.
Factsheet: Conscientious Objection
October 05, 2020
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 human rights law; however, several governments do not recognize this right. In states where this right is not recognized, conscientious objectors often face imprisonment for their beliefs. Click here to view the Conscientious Objection Factsheet
Santería in Cuba
March 05, 2021
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 many Cubans can freely observe Santería practices, some practitioners and religious leaders have experienced ongoing violations of their right to freedom of religion or belief. These violations are emblematic of the tactics used by the Cuban government to control faith and suppress independent religious communities.   Featuring: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF Kirsten Lavery, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRF   Read USCIRF’s recent Factsheet on the Santería Tradition in Cuba  
USCIRF Welcomes the Release of Pastor Ramón Rigal, Calls for Release of Roberto Jesus Quinones Haces
July 01, 2020
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) welcomed the release of Pastor Ramón Rigal in Cuba. Pastor Rigal was detained with his wife Ayda Expósito on April 16, 2019 for homeschooling their children over concerns about Cuban schools’ promotion of socialism and atheism. They were later sentenced for crimes including “other acts against the normal development of a minor.” Expósito was released from prison this past April. “While we welcome the release of Pastor Rigal and are thrilled that he is reunited with his family, this was not the first time that Pastor Rigal and his wife were arrested in relation to their religious beliefs,” said USCIRF Commissioner James Carr. “The Cuban government must immediately cease harassing this couple and allow all Cuban parents, including the Rigals, to raise their children pursuant to their own faith.” Meanwhile, independent journalist Roberto Jesus Quinones Haces still remains in prison. Quinones was detained for trying to cover the couple’s trial, then was sentenced for the crime of “disobedience.” Cuban authorities also have harassed other independent journalists who report on religious freedom—including Yoe Suárez—and have threatened them with criminal charges and fines under Decree Law 370, which regulates the use of the internet. “USCIRF once again calls for the immediate release of  Jesus Quinones Haces and the end to harassment of independent journalists who report on religious freedom,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Anurima Bhargava. In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the State Department maintain Cuba on its Special Watch List. USCIRF recently released a policy update detailing religious freedom conditions in Cuba during 2019. ### The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at Media@USCIRF.gov or Danielle Ashbahian at dashbahian@uscirf.gov.