Displaying results 1 - 100 of 140

CIRF Urges Laos, N. Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2000 Contact: Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240 (202) 523-3240 (202) 523-3240 The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom wrote Friday, July 28 to Secretary of State Madeleine…
Laos Chapters and Summaries
Laos Chapter - 2015 Annual ReportLaos Chapter - 2015 Annual Report (Lao Translation) Laos Chapter - 2014 Annual Report Laos Chapter - 2014 Annual Report (Lao Translation) Laos Chapter - 2013 Annual Report Laos Chapter Summary - 2013 Annual…
Commission Requests 'More Energetic' U.S. Response to Religious Killings in Indonesia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 5, 2000 Contact: Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240 The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom today wrote to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright with recommendations for a…
Commission Writes Secretary Powell About Sectarian Violence in Indonesia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2001 Contact: Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 WASHINGTON - With Muslim-Christian violence flaring yet again in Indonesia, the U.S. Commission on International Religious…
Indonesia: President Urged to Speak Out on Religious Freedom
November 14, 2011The President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Obama: On behalf of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), allow me to wish you a safe and productive visit to Indonesia for the East Asia…
Richmond Times-Dispatch -- Government Must Protect Nonbelievers
Jan 22, 2013 sf10889"
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…
October 2013 Factsheet: Indonesia: A New Culture of Intolerance Threatens Religious Minorities
Click here to view the October 2013 Factsheet: Indonesia: A New Culture of Intolerance Threatens Religious Minorities
USA Today -- Rampant religious persecution against atheists
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…
LAOS: President Obama – Highlight Religious Freedom Concerns
Sep 1, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – As President Obama soon will visit Laos to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, the U.S. Commission on International…
INDONESIA: USCIRF Denounces the Recent Conviction and Sentencing of Jakarta’s Governor for Blasphemy
May 12, 2017 INDONESIA: USCIRF Denounces the Recent Conviction and Sentencing of Jakarta’s Governor for BlasphemyUSCIRF Calls for the Release of Those Accused of or Convicted of Blasphemy   Washington, D.C. –  The U.S.…
A Right for All: Freedom of Religion or Belief in ASEAN
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…
USCIRF Welcomes Release of Jailed Jakarta Governor; Denounces Indonesia’s Blasphemy Law
Jan 24, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2019   USCIRF Welcomes Release of Jailed Jakarta Governor; Denounces Indonesia’s Blasphemy Law   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious…
The Globe Post: Indonesia Should Prevent Religious Conflict, but Its Blasphemy Law Does More Harm Than Good
Feb 8, 2019 This op-ed was originally published by The Globe Post on February 8, 2019. By Gayle Manchin and Nadine Maenza Recently, Grace Natalie, head and founder of the young and progressive Indonesian…
Religious Extremists Exploit Blasphemy Laws in Indonesian Election, Says USCIRF
Apr 18, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 18, 2019   Religious Extremists Exploit Blasphemy Laws in Indonesian Election, Says USCIRF   WASHINGTON, DC – Following the completion of Indonesia’s April 17 general elections…
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
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…
Factsheet on Enforced Disappearances in Malaysia
Click here to view the October 2019 Factsheet on Enforced Disappearances in Malaysia.
USCIRF Releases New Reports on Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Iran
Oct 17, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2019   USCIRF Releases New Reports on Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Iran   Washington, DC  – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
Policy Update: Blasphemy Allegations In A Polarized Indonesia
Click here to view the Indonesia Policy Update.
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am…
Laos Country Update
Read the full report here.This report provides a country update on religious freedom conditions in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In 2016, the Lao government updated its regulation of religious freedom with the Decree on Management and Protection…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Laos
May 6, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   May 6, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Laos Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
USCIRF Urges Thailand and Malaysia to Protect Rohingya Muslim Refugees Stranded at Sea
Jun 23, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Urges Thailand and Malaysia to Protect Rohingya Muslim Refugees Stranded at Sea Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on the…
The Diplomat: Malaysia’s Unwelcoming Shore for Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution
Jul 28, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in The Diplomat, on July 28, 2020. By USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin and Commissioner James W. Carr Several airlines offer direct flights from Burma to Malaysia, but many Rohingya…
2020 Annual Report Laos Chapter
Title Laos Chapter - 2019 Lao Translation File Upload Laos 2019_Lao translation.pdf Language Lao Year 2019…
Indonesia Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Indonesia Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Indonesia.pdf Language English Year 2026…
Malaysia Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Malaysia Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Malaysia.pdf Language English Year 2026…
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…
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…
Raymond Koh
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Malaysia Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Date of Detainment: February/13/2017…
Amri Che Mat
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Malaysia Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a Reports of Torture: No Reports of Medical…
Factsheet: Rohingya Refugees
Click here to view the Rohingya Refugees Factsheet.   This factsheet highlights the conditions of Rohingya refugees in Southeast Asia. While the majority of Rohingya refugees have fled from Burma to Bangladesh, a significant number have escaped to…
USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Rohingya Refugees in Southeast Asia
Oct 8, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Rohingya Refugees in Southeast Asia Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a new report on…
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…
Raymond Koh
Advocacy: Press Release: USCIRF Calls Attention to Pastor Raymond Koh on 5th Anniversary of Disappearance, February 11, 2022…
USCIRF Commissioner Jim Carr Adopts Pastor Raymond Koh through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
Nov 23, 2020 USCIRF Commissioner Jim Carr Adopts Pastor Raymond Koh through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project WASHINGTON, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Jim…
Global Blasphemy Laws
Dec 7, 2020       There are 84 countries across the globe with criminal blasphemy laws on the books as of 2020. While only a handful of countries enforce these laws, there are still 84 countries in which a…
Violating Rights: Enforcing the World's Blasphemy Laws
Click here to view the report Violating Rights: Enforcing the World’s Blasphemy Laws USCIRF’s groundbreaking report examines the enforcement of blasphemy laws worldwide. Blasphemy laws criminalize expressions that insults or offends religious doctrines.…
USCIRF Releases Groundbreaking Report on the Enforcement of Blasphemy Laws Globally
Dec 9, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: USCIRF Releases Groundbreaking Report on the Enforcement of Blasphemy Laws Globally WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a…
FoRB Victims List and Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project Update
Feb 25 WHEN: Feb 25th 11:00am - Feb 25th 12:30pm…
Factsheet: Indonesia's Pancasila
Pancasila is a founding concept of Indonesia, comprising of five principles: monotheism, civilized humanity, national unity, deliberative democracy, and social justice. As Indonesia has witnessed the rise of Islamist extremist activities and sentiment…
USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Indonesia’s State Ideology of Pancasila
Mar 12, 2021 USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Indonesia’s State Ideology of Pancasila Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a new report on the ongoing religious freedom…
Indonesia’s State Ideology of Pancasila
Apr 9, 2021 Pancasila is a founding concept of Indonesia, comprising of five principles: monotheism, civilized humanity, national unity, deliberative democracy, and social justice. This concept came about at the onset of…
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          
Enforcing Blasphemy Laws Have Dire Consequences
May 27, 2021 Blasphemy laws criminalize expression that insults or offends religious doctrines. Such laws are often used to restrict freedom of religion or belief. As of 2020, 84 countries still had blasphemy laws. The severity…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Recommendation:Request that the Malaysian government clarify administrative procedures and develop tangible mechanisms for individuals to…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Laws Recommendation:Press the Malaysian government to remove the religion field from national ID cards and allow for…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Laws Recommendation:Urge the Malaysian government to facilitate independent institutions, including the judiciary, in…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: RPOCs Recommendation:Urge the Malaysian government to acknowledge all peaceful religious activity as legitimate and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Special Watch List Recommendation:Include Malaysia on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Technical Assistance Recommendation:As part of U.S. support to build capacity for Malaysian law enforcement, fund and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: IVLP Recommendation:Expand the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to include bringing Malaysian lawyers…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Special Watch List Recommendation:Include Malaysia on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Technical Assistance Recommendation:Fund and implement training on community-based policing between the U.S.…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: RPOCs Recommendation:Urge the Malaysian government to repeal the federal and state-level laws criminalizing blasphemy…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Malaysia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Diplomacy Recommendation:Work with Malaysia and regional partners to ensure the safety of migrants and refugees,…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Laos Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Laws Recommendation:Urge the Lao government to Amend Decree 315 in order to clarify administrative procedures and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Laos Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Funding Recommendation:Support programs that increase understanding and awareness of Lao government policies and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Laos Recommended To: U.S. Congress Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Diplomacy Recommendation:Send regular congressional delegations to Laos and hold hearings focused on religious freedom and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Laos Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: IVLP Recommendation:The United States should provide more opportunities through IVLP for Lao government officials and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Laos Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Funding Recommendation:U.S. government increase support for such programs in order to build upon the recent improvements…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Funding Recommendation:Prioritize funding for programs that improve the capacity of civil society and the media to…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Terrorism Recommendation:Focus U.S. government funding for deradicalization efforts in Indonesia on teachers,…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2019 Annual Report Thematic Area: Funding Recommendation:Ensure that U.S.-funded programs for Indonesian police and counterterrorism officials…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Special Watch List Recommendation:Include Indonesia on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Laws Recommendation:Urge the Indonesian government to revise the draft Criminal Code bill to remove criminal…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: U.S. Agency for International Development Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Funding Recommendation:Incorporate training on international human rights standards related…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Multilateral Institutions Recommendation:Urge the Indonesian government to take the lead on human rights and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: U.S. Congress Source: 2020 Annual Report Thematic Area: Laws Recommendation:Support measures such as H.Res.512 and S.Res.458, which urge the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Special Watch List Recommendation:Include Indonesia on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for…
Recommendation
Status: Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Laws Recommendation:Urge the Indonesian government to revise the draft Criminal Code bill to remove criminal sanctions for…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Laws Recommendation:Urge the Indonesian government to repeal or revise existing legislation and regulations on…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: U.S. Agency for International Development Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Funding Recommendation:Incorporate training on international human rights standards related…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Indonesia Recommended To: State Department Source: 2021 Annual Report Thematic Area: Multilateral Institutions Recommendation:Urge the Indonesian government to take the regional lead on human rights…
Laos’ Decree 315 Factsheet
Laos’ Decree 315 Factsheet – This factsheet assesses the religious freedom implications of Decree 315, the implementation of the decree, as well as the ongoing internal review conducted by the government of Laos. Issued in 2016, Decree 315 was an…
USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Laos’ Decree 315
Sep 16, 2021 USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Laos’ Decree 315 Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report highlighting the religious freedom implications of Laos’ Decree on…
Ahmadiyya Persecution Factsheet
This factsheet documents and contextualizes recent religious freedom violations against Ahmadiyya Muslims, shining a light on the worrying trend of growing state persecution of members of this community. Ahmadiyya Muslims face persecution and…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslims
Oct 18, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report about Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslims Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on persecution of…
Ahmadiyya Muslims Face Persecution, Discrimination, and Hostility
Oct 22, 2021 The Ahmadiyya Muslim community was founded in 1889 in Punjab, India and today has an estimated tens of millions of members globally. Because of the differences between Ahmadiyya beliefs and beliefs in Sunni and Shi…
USCIRF Releases Factsheet Reiterating its Recommendations for State Department CPC and SWL Designations
Nov 5, 2021 USCIRF Releases Factsheet Reiterating its Recommendations for State Department CPC and SWL Designations Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
Malaysia Country Update
This country update assesses religious freedom conditions in Malaysia during 2021. Malaysia has witnessed unprecedented political instability in recent years—starting on February 24, 2020, with the sudden collapse of the Pakatan Harapan coalition and…
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Malaysia
Nov 10, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Malaysia Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious…
Political Instability Fuels Decline for Religious Freedom in Malaysia
Nov 12, 2021 Malaysia has experienced unprecedented political instability in recent years. During this time, Malaysian authorities from various political parties in several states and the federal government have continued to pursue policies to further…
USCIRF Conversation: Democracy and Religious Freedom
Dec 07 WHEN: Dec 7th 10:00am - Dec 7th 11:00am…
Joshua Hilmy
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Malaysia Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other Reports of Torture: No Reports…
Ruth Sitepu
Gender: Female Perpetrator: Malaysia Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other Reports of Torture: No Reports…
USCIRF Calls Attention to Pastor Raymond Koh on 5th Anniversary of Disappearance
Feb 11, 2022 USCIRF Calls Attention to Pastor Raymond Koh on 5th Anniversary of Disappearance Washington, DC – The U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) called for answers on the disappearance of Pastor…
Paruru Daeng Tau
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Indonesia Religion or Belief: Muslim – Unspecified/Other Reports of Torture: No Reports of…
Indriyanto
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Indonesia Religion or Belief: Unspecified Reports of Torture: No Reports of Medical Neglect…
Doni Irawan Malay
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Indonesia Religion or Belief: Unspecified Reports of Torture: No Reports of Medical Neglect…
Muhammad Kece
Additional Name(s): Muhammad Kace Gender: Male Perpetrator: Indonesia Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other…