Displaying results 1 - 100 of 184

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"
Protecting and Promoting Religious Freedom in Syria
Click here to view USCIRF's report, Promoting and Protecting Religuous Freedom in Syria .
SYRIA: USCIRF Issues Report on "Protecting and Promoting Religious Freedom in Syria"
Apr 19, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal agency created to monitor religious freedom abuses abroad and make policy recommendations to the…
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…
SYRIA: The Sectarian Divide
May 16, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 16, 2013 | By USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C.- The two-year armed conflict in Syria has left at least 80,000 people dead and more than 5 million displaced. In his May 13, 2013 press conference with…
July 2013 Factsheet: Syria's Refugee Crisis and its Implications
Click here to view the July 2013 Factsheet: Syria’s Refugee Crisis and its Implications
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
SYRIA: Religious Minorities Need a Voice at Geneva II Peace Conference
Jan 15, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 14, 2014| USCIRF The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged the U.S. government to emphasize the plight of religious minorities and the protection of…
USCIRF Condemns Abduction of more than 200 Assyrian Christians and Urges Their Immediate Release
Feb 27, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 27, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the abduction of more than 200 Assyrian Christians by militants of the…
Syria: Four Years Later
Mar 16, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 16, 2015 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 15 marked the 4th anniversary of the protests in Damascus, Aleppo and Daraa which set the stage for the Syrian conflict.  On this sad…
The Philadelphia Inquirer -- Threats to religious freedom
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…
USCIRF Calls for Continued Syrian Refugee Resettlement
Dec 1, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 1, 2015 USCIRF Calls for Continued Syrian Refugee Resettlement Rigorous individualized vetting allows the United States to both welcome Syrian refugees and protect security.…
USCIRF Statement on the Designation of Victims of Genocide, Persecution, and Crimes Against Humanity in Syria and Iraq
Dec 7, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 7, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today issued the following statement:   USCIRF calls on the U.S. government to…
Syria: Five Years of Suffering Must End
Mar 14, 2016 For Immediate Release March 14, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 15 marks the 5th anniversary of the peaceful protests that set the stage for the Syrian conflict.  This conflict has spawned a…
USCIRF Welcomes Genocide Determination; Urges Focus as well on al-Assad Regime
Mar 18, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MArch 18, 2016   Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the State Department’s decision proclaiming that groups including Yazidis,…
USCIRF Welcomes CPC Designations: Urges Additional Designations and Actions
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,…
Testimony of USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George on "Confronting the Genocide of Religious Minorities: A Way Forward"
USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George testified on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing entitled "Confronting the Genocide of Religious Minorities: A Way Forward."From the testimony: "USCIRF in 2015 called on the U…
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…
From Sinjar to Mosul
Nov 10, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. – As coalition forces begin the liberation of Mosul, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) notes that November 13 is the one-year…
SYRIA: Six Years of War
Mar 15, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 15, 2017   WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 15 marks the 6th anniversary of the start of the Syrian conflict. Since the conflict began, an estimated 400,000 people have been killed;…
Georgetown University Berkley Forum: Rising Tide of Religious Freedom Abuses Abroad
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…
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.…
USCIRF Commends House Passage of Genocide Accountability Act, Urges Senate Action
Jun 9, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   USCIRF Commends House Passage of Genocide Accountability Act Urges Senate Action USCIRF declares that “the perpetrators of genocide must be held to account”   WASHINGTON, D.C. –…
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…
H.R. 390: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Genocide Bill
Oct 5, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 5, 2017   H.R. 390: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Genocide Bill USCIRF Chairman Mark calls committee action “a key step toward helping victims of ISIS genocide”  …
The Hill: The List No One Wants to Be On
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,…
The Hill: Protecting Religious Freedom Provides Common Ground for All
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…
USCIRF Applauds Passage of H.R. 390 by Congress
Nov 29, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2018   USCIRF Applauds Passage of H.R. 390 by Congress    WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today applauded…
USCIRF Welcomes President Trump Signing the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act
Dec 11, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018   USCIRF Welcomes President Trump Signing the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act    WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on…
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…
USCIRF Statement on Turkish Offensive in Northeast Syria
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…
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…
Newsweek: U.S. Leaders Must Stand against Turkey’s Atrocities in Northern Syria
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…
Indonesia Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Indonesia Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Indonesia.pdf Language English Year 2026…
Kyrgyzstan Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Kyrgyzstan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Kyrgyzstan.pdf Language English Year…
Syria Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Syria Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Syria.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 Virtual Hearing on Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Northeast Syria
Jun 10 WHEN: Jun 10th 10:30am…
USCIRF Update with USAID: The President’s Executive Order on International Religious Freedom
Aug 05 WHEN: Aug 5th 10:30am…
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…
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…
Religious Freedom Priorities for the Biden Administration
Feb 4, 2021   As the Biden administration begins to formulate its broader human rights policy, USCIRF highlights several priority countries when it comes to international religious freedom. Condemning and preventing…
The Situation in Sinjar
Feb 18, 2021   In recent years, northern Iraq has become a battleground for Turkish armed forces and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). In June 2020, Turkey escalated their attacks in the region, announcing military…
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…
USCIRF Commemorates Fifth Anniversary of ISIS Genocide Recognition
Mar 17, 2021 USCIRF Commemorates Fifth Anniversary of ISIS Genocide Recognition Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today joins religious communities in Iraq and Syria—…
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…
USCIRF Conversation on Ten Years after the Arab Spring: How has Religious Freedom Changed Across the Middle East?
Jun 23 WHEN: Jun 23rd 10:30am…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: USCIRF Hearing: Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Northeast Syria Recommendation:Demand the inclusion of the AANES in all activities pursuant to U.N. Res. 2254,…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: USCIRF Hearing: Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Northeast Syria Recommendation:Recognize the AANES as a legitimate, local government, expand U.S. engagement…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Provide immediate and effective assistance to Syria’s vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities under the terms of the Iraq…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure that the planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from northeastern Syria is conducted in such a manner that will…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Advocate for the inclusion of representatives from the autonomous administration of Kurdish-majority northeast Syria,…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Support efforts through relevant UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and like-minded partners among the…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue and prioritize the resettlement of Syrian refugees to the United States—subject to proper vetting—with priority…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Designate Syria as a CPC and redesignate HTS as an EPC for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: US Treasury Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Syrian government agencies and officials, HTS principals, and the leadership of militias…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Exert pressure on and engage with Turkey to provide a timeline for its withdrawal from all territory that it occupies as…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Recognize the AANES as a legitimate, local government, and accordingly expand U.S. engagement with its institutions…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Contribute to efforts in AANES-governed territory to fund and develop local programs to promote religious…
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…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Designate Syria as a CPC and redesignate HTS as an EPC for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Syrian government agencies and officials, HTS principals, and the leadership of militias within…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Treasury Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Syrian government agencies and officials, HTS principals, and the leadership of militias…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Exert pressure on and engage with Turkey to provide a timeline for its withdrawal from all territory that it occupies as…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Recognize the AANES as a legitimate, local government, and accordingly expand U.S. engagement with its institutions, lift…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Contribute to efforts in AANES-governed territory to fund and develop local programs to promote religious…