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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) sent the following letter on July 19, 2012:
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
United States Department of State
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Clinton:
On behalf…
… that since the beginning of the Egyptian revolution, two years ago, nearly 100 Coptic Orthodox Christians have been killed in Egypt due to sectarian violence, surpassing the death toll of the previous 10 years combined?The situation for Copts in Egypt…
...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…
February 26, 2013USCIRF Chair, Dr. Katrina Lantoss Swett testified on February 26, 2013 before the Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on "Demonstrations in Tahrir Square: Two Years Later: What Has…
Apr 1, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
By USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett
Even as we prepare to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, European society's dark past of bigotry haunts our present
The following op-ed appeared…
...that two years later there still have been no prosecutions stemming from Nigeria’s presidential post-election violence that killed more than 800?In April 2011, immediately following the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, more than 800 people…
Apr 15, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 15, 2013| By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Ongoing attacks and retaliations by Muslims and Christians in Nigeria's violent, religiously and ethnically mixed Middle Belt has left more…
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…
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONMay 6, 2013
Beyond Boko Haram: Nigeria's History of Violence
By: Tiffany Lynch for the Council on Foreign Relations - Posted on May 6
For almost two years, stories about violence in Nigeria have focused almost exclusively…
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 14, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONMay 14, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett
The following was published in the Washington Post, On Faith on May 14, 2013.
Fifteen years ago, on May 14, 1998, U.S. House of Representatives voted in…
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…
...that particularly severe religious freedom violations are increasingly perpetrated by non-state actors in failing or failed states?One of the greatest emerging threats to freedom of religion or belief comes not from the actions of governments but from…
Jun 10, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
By Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon
The following op-ed appeared on Al-Monitor on June 9, 2013.
In June 2012, more than 16 months following the Tahrir Square…
Jun 10, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONMarch 21, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett
The following appeared in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs on March 21, 2013.
In December 2012, Egypt approved a new constitution by…
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 8, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONJuly 8, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett
The following appeared in Eurasia Review on July 4th, 2013.
Last Saturday, on June 29, I was honored to speak in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to the Ahmadiyya…
...that since the June 30 large-scale protests in Egypt that led to the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi on July 3, there has been an upsurge of attacks against Coptic Christians and that these attacks have resulted in several deaths and injuries?…
....that Boko Haram has attacked more than 40 churches since 2012?
Boko Haram, a Hausa-language name meaning “western education is a sin,” is an Islamic sect that sees the federal and northern state governments, as well as political and religious elites…
Aug 16, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 2013 | By USCIRF
USCIRF is deeply concerned by the violence against protestors and the targeting of churches in Egypt. The government's excessive use of force when breaking up…
Click here to view the August 2013 Factsheet: Nigeria: Boko Haram’s Religiously-Motivated Attacks
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…
Sep 11, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONSeptember 11, 2013 | By Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in CNN World on September 11, 2013.
Editor's note: Robert P. George is chairman of the U.S. Commission on International…
Sep 16, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2013| By USCIRF
USCIRF Letter to President Obama on
Unprecedented Sectarian Attacks Committed Against Christians in Egypt
The U.S. Commission on International…
Sep 23, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 23, 2013| By USCIRF
USCIRF Letter to President Obama on Upcoming Meeting with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) sent…
Sep 25, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
September 20, 2013 | By Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on September 20, 2013.
As the UN General Assembly begins its new session,…
Oct 18, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONOctober 4, 2013 | By Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in CNN World on October 4, 2013.
Editor's note: Robert P. George is the chairman of the U.S. Commission on International…
Dec 3, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONDecember 2, 2013 | By Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in the Providence Journal on November 30, 2013.
Washington - As the nation celebrates Thanksgiving, Jewish Americans are also…
Dec 11, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
December 11, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon
The following op-ed appeared in Reuters & the Chicago Tribune on December 10, 2013.
December 10 marks Human Rights Day,…
Click here to view the December 2013 Policy Brief, Egyptian Constitutional Review
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…
Dec 2, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2014 I USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the horrific November 28 attack on worshippers at Kano’s Central…
Click here to view the January 2015 Factsheet: Religious Freedom and Nigeria's 2015 Elections
Feb 2, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2015 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Reports of pre-election violence, combined with rising societal and political tensions, increase the likelihood of religiously-motivated violence…
Nigeria will hold presidential, federal parliamentary, and state parliamentary elections on March 28, 2015. The election previously was scheduled for February 14, 2015, but was pushed back due to security concerns in the north-east region of the country.…
Feb 19, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the barbarous murder of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians by a Libyan affiliate of the Islamic…
Apr 3, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 3, 2015 | USCIRF
Calls on President-Elect to Govern Inclusively and Address Inter-Faith Tensions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
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…
Jul 17, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 17, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hundreds of people have been killed in Boko Haram terrorist attacks throughout northern Nigeria and in sectarian violence in the Middle Belt during the past…
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…
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 November 3, 2015 before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing entitled “Human Rights in Egypt.”From the testimony:
“The religious freedom landscape in Egypt has become further complicated over…
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…
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,…
May 4, 2016
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
May 4, 2016 | Robert P. George and Hannah Rosenthal
The following op/ed appeared in USA Today on May 3, 2016
Should it be a crime to deny the existence of God?
In the Russian city…
USCIRF Chair Thomas J. Reese, S.J. testified on July 15, 2016 before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing titled "Blasphemy Laws and Censorship by States and Non-State Actors: Examining Global Threats to Freedom of Expression."
From the…
Dec 15, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the brutal attack at Cairo’s main Coptic Orthodox Cathedral.…
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…
Aug 3, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2017
USCIRF Condemns Egypt’s Deportation of Uighur Muslims to China
“These latest moves show a calculated indifference to the Uighur Muslim community”
WASHINGTON, DC – The 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"
…
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…
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…
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…
The full report may be found here.
Summary of Findings
In Nigeria, a range of state and societal violations have adversely impacted religious freedom conditions in the country. As a result, since 2009, USCIRF has recommended the U.S…
Feb 16, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15, 2019
USCIRF Releases Report on Violence in Central Nigeria on Eve of Presidential Elections
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious…
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…
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 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…
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…
Additional Name(s):
Ibrahim Zakzaky
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Nigeria
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a
Health Concerns:
Minor…
Additional Name(s):
Zeenatudeen
Gender:
Female
Perpetrator:
Nigeria
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of…
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…
The full report may be found here.
For 20 years, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has monitored and evaluated religious freedom conditions in Nigeria. This year also marks 20 years since Nigeria’s return to…
Dec 9, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2019
USCIRF Raises Alarm about Speech Laws that Restrict Religious Freedom in More than Half of African Countries
Briefing Tomorrow to Feature New Report and Recommendations
…
Dec 10, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2019
USCIRF Releases New Report on Shari’ah Criminal Law in Northern Nigeria
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Dec 13, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2019
USCIRF Condemns Egypt’s Arrest of Coptic Activist Ramy Kamel
WASHINGTON, DC (December 13, 2019) – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly…
Feb 11
WHEN:
Feb 11th 10:30am…
Gender:
Female
Perpetrator:
Islamic State - West Africa Province (ISWAP)
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Unspecified/Other
Reports of Torture…
May 8, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2020
USCIRF Condemns Arrest of Prominent Nigerian Atheist, Mubarak Bala
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed its deep…
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.…
Jun 22, 2020
USCIRF Denounces Recent ISWAP Attacks in Northeast Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today denounced the recent attacks by Boko Haram faction Islamic…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Germany
Perpetrator:
Nigeria
Religion or Belief:
Humanist
Health Concerns:
High blood pressure, pain on…
Jul 2, 2020
This op-ed originally appeared on Newsweek, on July 2, 2020.
By USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore and Tugba Tabyeri-Erdemir
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated his desire to convert…
Jul 10, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Decries Decision to Change Status of the Hagia Sophia
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) decries the decision of Turkey’s…
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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Condemns Execution of Aid Workers by ISWAP Militants
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) denounced the execution of five aid…
Aug 11, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Condemns Death Sentence for Yahaya Sharif-Aminu on Blasphemy Charges
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the death sentence…
Advocacy:
Op-Ed: Say Her Name: Women Persecuted for Their Religion or Belief, March 8, 2022…
USCIRF ADVOCATE: Kristina Arriaga
Advocacy:
Senate Briefing: Turkey Today –Taking the Temperature of Religious…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Turkey Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Turkey.pdf
Language
English
Year
2026…