Displaying results 1 - 100 of 241

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…
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…
Hearings on Religious Persecution in Sudan February 15, 2000 (Note: These are unedited and uncorrected transcripts) Commission members (left to right) Firuz Kazemzadeh, Nina Shea, Executive Director Steven McFarland, Chair David Saperstein, Vice…
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…
...that Sudan repeatedly has used its apostasy law over the past two years against Christians and Muslims?Apostasy is the formal abandonment, or renunciation, of a religious faith. Under Article 126 of Sudan’s 1991 Criminal Act, apostasy from Islam is…
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…
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 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 approximately 500,000 South Sudanese in Sudan are stateless?The status of South Sudanese in Sudan became precarious after South Sudan achieved independence on July 9, 2011. While South Sudan has offered citizenship to Sudanese residents, the…
Click here to view the October 2013 Factsheet: Indonesia: A New Culture of Intolerance Threatens Religious Minorities
Nov 8, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONNovember 7, 2013 | By Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on November 7, 2013. As the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of…
Click here to view the November 2013 Policy Brief,Sudan's Enduring Question: The Role of Shari'ah in the Constitution and Law
The Sudanese government’s imposition of Shari’ah countrywide in 1983, including on the predominantly animist and Christian South, significantly contributed to the onset of Sudan’s 20 year North-South civil war. Today, concerns about Shari’ah being central…
Nov 27, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONNovember 26, 2013 | By Robert P. George The following op-ed appeared in the Washington Times on November 25, 2013. WASHINGTON,November 24, 2013 - Earlier this fall, a Sudanese business owner and…
May 16, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 16, 2014 | USCIRF The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the death sentence against Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, a Sudanese Christian woman…
Jun 25, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 25, 2014 | USCIRF The U.S. Commission on  International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is gravely concerned about the Sudanese government’s arrest of Meriam Ibrahim Ishag on document…
USCIRF Vice Chair Dr. Zuhdi Jasser testified on July 23 before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations of the House Foreign Affairs Committee at a hearing entitled “The Troubling Case of Meriam…
Jun 1, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 1, 2015 Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the continuing prosecution of Rev. Yat Michael and Rev. Peter Reith who face the death…
Aug 6, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 6, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom welcomes yesterday’s release from detention of Rev. Yat Michael Ruot and Rev. Peter Yein Reith.  Rev.…
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 October 27, 2015 before Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee at a hearing titled "The Global Crisis of Religious…
Nov 2, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today criticized the Tajik government’s ongoing efforts to control religious activities, especially those of…
Dec 21, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 21, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the Sudanese government for charging 25 Muslims with apostasy and public…
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…
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.…
Jun 22, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2017   SUDAN:  USCIRF Urges Secretary of State to Maintain Sanctions “Sudan has not shown sufficient progress on allowing greater religious freedom” WASHINGTON, D.C. –…
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent the following letter to Secretary Tillerson on May 30, 2017. Click here to read a PDF version of the letter.  The Honorable Rex Tillerson Secretary of State 2201 C Street, NW…
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…
Oct 7, 2017 USCIRF Chairman Mark says “Sudan is an egregious violator of religious freedom”  WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is disappointed by the decision to permanently…
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,…
Click here to view the June 2018 Country Update: Sudan
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…
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…
Jan 28, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 28, 2019   USCIRF Denounces Violence Against Demonstrators in Sudan   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned…
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…
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…
Jun 18, 2019 For Immediate Release June 18, 2019     USCIRF Encouraged by Appointment of Special Envoy to Sudan, Urges Close Scrutiny of Religious Freedom During Transition   Washington, DC -- In response to an…
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
Aug 17, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 2019   USCIRF Applauds Sanctions on Salah Gosh for Gross Human Rights Violations   WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, August 14, 2019, the U.S. Department of State publicly…
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Gender: Male Perpetrator: Tajikistan Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Reports of Torture: No Reports of…
Additional Name(s): Shamil Rasulovich Khakimov Gender: Male Current Location: Strict Regime Prison YaS 3/5 Perpetrator: Tajikistan Religion or Belief…
Click here to view the Indonesia Policy Update.
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  …
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Tajikistan Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni Reports of Torture: No Reports of Medical…
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Tajikistan Ethnic Group: Tajik Religion or Belief: Muslim – Unspecified/Other Reports of…
Mar 2, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2020 USCIRF Delegation Travels to Sudan to Assess Post-Revolution Progress toward Greater Religious Freedom Washington, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Mar 16, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 17, 2020 USCIRF Commends Sudan’s Disbanding of Former Regime-Appointed Church Councils Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends…
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Tajikistan Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: Yes…
May 5, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020 USCIRF Commends the Criminalization of FGM in Sudan Washington, DC - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomed the decision of the Sudanese transitional…
Jun 4, 2020 This op-ed was originally published by Deseret News, on June 4, 2020. By USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins and Vice Chair Gayle Manchin   Sitting across the table from Sudan’s new prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, in…
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…
Jun 29, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Applauds the U.S. Government Pledge to Support the Democratic Transition in Sudan Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends the U.S.…
Jul 15, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   USCIRF Applauds Sudan’s Repeal of Apostasy Law through Passage of New Fundamental Rights and Freedoms Act Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Aug 13, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in the Washington Examiner, on August 13, 2020. By USCIRF Vice Chairs Tony Perkins and Anurima Bhargava Earlier this year, we joined hundreds gathered under a large tent outside…
Title Sudan Chapter - 2020 Arabic Translation File Upload Sudan_Arabic.pdf Language Arabic Year 2020…
Title 2026 Annual Report - Indonesia Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Indonesia.pdf Language English Year 2026…
Title 2026 Annual Report - Tajikistan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Tajikistan.pdf Language English Year…
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…
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…
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Sep 4, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Policy Update Highlighting One Year of Progress Advancing Religious Freedom in Sudan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
Click here for the Sudan Policy Update   The Sudanese transitional government has made a number of significant religious freedom reforms during the past year. This policy update examines religious freedom conditions in Sudan after the 2019…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases New Policy Update Highlighting One Year of Progress Advancing Religious Freedom in Sudan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new…
This factsheet explores the role that religion plays in escalating violence committed by and against Fulani communities in west and central Africa. Predominantly Muslim and historically associated with cattle herding and livestock rearing, Fulani…
Oct 1, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases New Report about Religious Tensions and Fulani Communities in West and Central Africa Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)…
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…
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…
Oct 30, 2020 Sudan has been in the news most recently with the announcement by the United States government of its intent to remove Sudan from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. In this week's USCIRF Spotlight, we explore…
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…
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…
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Nov 24, 2020 USCIRF Releases New Report about Countering Violent Extremism in Tajikistan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Issue…
  Read the full Issue Update: Promoting Religious Freedom and Countering Violent Extremism in Tajikistan   This update describes Tajikistan’s official campaign to control and restrict Islamic practice, ostensibly an effort to combat the…
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…
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.…
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…
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Tajikistan Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness Reports of Torture: No…
USCIRF ADVOCATE: Nury Turkel Advocacy: Press Release: USCIRF Vice Chair Nury Turkel Calls on Tajikistan to Release…
Feb 24, 2021 USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel Adopts New Religious Prisoner of Conscience from Tajikistan Washington, DC –United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Nury Turkel today…
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…
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…
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…
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…
View the 2021 Annual Report          
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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…
Jun 11, 2021 This op-ed was originally published by The Diplomat on June 11, 2021. By USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins and Commissioner Nury Turkel.   Tajikistan is located in a dangerous neighborhood, sharing a long border…
Nonbelievers in Africa Factsheet – This factsheet assesses conditions for nonbelievers in Africa, which includes those who identify as atheist, agnostic, freethinker, humanist, secularist, and individuals who do not identify with any religion. Evidence…