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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…
By Felice D. Gaer, Chair U.S. Commission On International Religious Freedom for the Congressional Human Rights Caucus
August 1, 2002
Expert witnesses take questions from the audience. Left to right: Rabbi Abraham Cooper, HRC Co-Chair Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA…
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…
May 3, 2006
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING RELEASE OF 2006 ANNUAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE ON COUNTRIES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 16, 2008
Contact: Judith Ingram,
Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 127
[email protected]
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is concerned about the status of Baha'i and…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Judith Ingram,
Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240, ext. 127
[email protected]
WASHINGTON-The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom welcomes the release of four Baha"is from a Yemeni…
Mar 15, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 14, 2013| By USCIRF
WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today called for Saudi Arabia to release Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani and Dr. Abdullah bin…
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…
Western Europe Chapter - 2014 Annual ReportWestern Europe Chapter - 2013 Annual Report
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…
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 26, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Kazakh government reportedly soon will try two activists for their religious freedom-related activities. Atheist blogger Aleksandr Kharlamov, 63, had been held for four…
Jul 31, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 31, 2013 | By USCIRF
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply concerned by reports that Raif Badawi, a Saudi website editor, was convicted and…
Sep 6, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONSeptember 5, 2013 | By Robert P. George and Katrina Lantos Swett
The following op-ed appeared in The Hill on September 5, 2013.
Last week, on August 26, Saudi Arabia's appointed Shura Council…
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,…
The Christian Science Monitor -- JFK's call for religious freedom can transform places like Pakistan
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…
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,…
Jan 28, 2014
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
January 27, 2014 | By Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in The Hill on January 27, 2014.
I testified before the Congressional Tom Lantos Human…
Mar 26, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 26, 2014 | USCIRF
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged President Obama during his visit to Saudi Arabia later this week to raise religious freedom…
Jan 9, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply disturbed by the news that a Saudi blogger, Raif Badawi, was publicly flogged 50 times today in…
Many countries around the world have laws that punish expression deemed blasphemous, defamatory of religion, or contemptuous or insulting to religion or religious symbols, figures, or feelings. The application of these laws has resulted in…
Feb 27, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 27, 2015 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expresses deep concern about reports this week in both Arabic and English language…
Jun 11, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 11, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) wrote to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia to urge him to pardon Raif Badawi and…
Jan 5, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 5, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the execution on January 2 of a prominent Shi’a cleric in Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Nimr al-…
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…
Jul 28, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2016
(USCIRF Chair Thomas J. Reese, S.J. holds up a picture of Raif Badawi at a July 2016 Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on blasphemy laws)
WASHINGTON, D.C…
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…
Jan 23, 2017
The following op-ed appeared in Philadelphia Inquirer on January 23, 2017
By former USCIRF Commissioners Thomas J. Reese and Daniel Mark
As our nation commemorated National Religious Freedom Day on Jan…
Jan 27, 2017
The following op-ed appeared in Deseret News on January 27, 2017
By former USCIRF Commissioners Clifford D. May and Tenzin Dorjee
As the world commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day,…
Jul 24, 2017
The following op-ed appeared in Deseret News on July 23, 2017
By former USCIRF Commissioner Clifford D. May
Last year, Saudi Arabia unveiled Saudi Vision 2030, a bold plan to transform the kingdom’s oil-…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2017
YEMEN: Release Baha’i Prisoners of Conscience in Yemen
USCIRF Calls on Houthis to Cease Harassment of Baha’is
WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is…
Sep 28
WHEN:
Sep 28th 3:00pm
-
Sep 28th 4:30pm…
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,…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 30, 2018
YEMEN: USCIRF Condemns Death Sentence for Baha’i
USCIRF Chairman Mark calls sentence “unjust and a dangerous precedent for the treatment of religious minorities” in Yemen
WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States…
Mar 24, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2018
USCIRF Study Reveals Numerous Passages in Saudi Textbooks Inciting Violence and Intolerance
“USCIRF is disappointed to find inflammatory content remains in…
Click here to view the report Study Revealed Numerous Passages in Saudi Textbooks Advocating Intolerance and Violence.Summary
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had an independent contractor review 12 Saudi high school…
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…
Aug 27, 2018
This op-ed originally appeared in The Globe Post on September 18, 2018.
By former Commission Chair Daniel Mark
Hamed bin Haydara, a leader of the Baha’i faith in Yemen, has been imprisoned…
Oct 4, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 2018
U.S. Delegation Is First Ever to Meet with “Religious Police” in Saudi Arabia
USCIRF Delegation Holds Wide Ranging Meetings During Site Visit
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a…
Oct 29, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2018
USCIRF Calls on Yemen to Release Persecuted Baha’is
The accused include eight women and a teenage girl and the penalty for many is death
WASHINGTON, DC — Tenzin…
The full report may be found here.
Summary of Findings
This follow-on contracted study reviews 22 middle and high school textbooks published by the Saudi government for the 2017-2018 academic year, including the 12 high school books previously reviewed…
Nov 26, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 26, 2018
USCIRF Condemns Reappearance of Content Promoting Hatred and Violence in Saudi Textbooks
New report provides evidence of reappearance of inflammatory content against…
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 3, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC – Andy Khawaja, Commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), today announced his adoption of Hamid Kamal Mohammad bin Haydara, a Yemeni member of the Baha’i…
Additional Name(s):
Raif bin Muhammad Badawi, Raef bin Mohammed Badawi, رائف بن محمد بدوي
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab…
Apr 26, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2019
USCIRF Calls on State Department to Lift Saudi CPC Waiver After Mass Shi’a Execution
USCIRF 2019 Annual Report Cites Numerous Violations and Recommends Additional…
Jun 24
WHEN:
Jun 24th 6:59pm…
Jul 1, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2019
USCIRF Calls on Houthi Court in Yemen to Overturn Death Sentence for Religious Prisoner of Conscience Hamid bin Haydara…
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 30, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 30, 2019
USCIRF Vice Chair Nadine Maenza Calls for Release of Imprisoned Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi
His Continued Imprisonment Belies Saudi Government Claims of Greater…
Aug 12, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 12, 2019
USCIRF Applauds Announced Changes to Saudi Male Guardianship System
USCIRF Urges Saudi Government to Release Imprisoned Supporters of Women’s Rights
WASHINGTON, DC…
Jul 24
WHEN:
Jul 24th 1:00pm
-
Jul 24th 1:00pm…
Additional Name(s):
محمد بن حسن الحبيب
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mabahith Prison, Dammam
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Abha Prison
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Unspecified/Other…
Sep 20, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2019
USCIRF calls for immediate Release of blogger Raif Badawi
WASHINGTON DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns Saudi Arabia’s…
Oct 9, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2019
USCIRF Responds to Yom Kippur Attack in Germany
Washington, DC (Oct. 9, 2019) – Based on emerging reports of the killing of at least two people near a…
Additional Name(s):
أحمد الشامري
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Al Qaisumah Detention Center
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab…
Oct 13, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 2019
WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is alarmed over reports that a Houthi court in Yemen may deport and confiscate the assets…
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)…
Host: Gayle Manchin, Vice ChairSubject Experts: Zack Udin and Kirsten Lavery
For more information, please contact Henry Young at [email protected].
Dec 13, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2019
USCIRF Calls for Immediate Release of Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi
WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns Saudi Arabia’s…
Dec 24, 2019
USCIRF Welcomes the State Department’s Designations of the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom
Hopes to See Strong Action in Response
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious…
The full report may be found here. Saudi Arabia has taken some limited steps toward greater religious freedom in 2019 while continuing to restrict it in other ways. On a positive note, Saudi Arabia eased religious restrictions on women’s mobility in…
Jan 24, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2020
USCIRF Honors International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Cautions Against Rising Anti-Semitism
WASHINGTON, DC – On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January…
Jan 30, 2020
For Immediate Release January 29, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Saudi Arabia
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
Feb 11
WHEN:
Feb 11th 10:30am…
Mar 23, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2020
USCIRF Deplores Houthi Order to Execute Hamid bin Haydara and Dissolve Baha’i Institutions in Yemen
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious…
Mar 25, 2020
This op-ed was originally published by The Hill, on March 25, 2020.
By USCIRF Commissioner Nadine Maenza and Congressman James P. McGovern …
Mar 28, 2020
This op-ed originally appeared in the Arkansas Gazette on Saturday, March 28, 2020.By Gayle Manchin and James W. Carr
How far can a government limit religious freedom in the name of fighting the coronavirus…
Apr 6, 2020
This op-ed originally appeared in Opinio Juris on Monday, April 6, 2020. By Gayle Manchin and James W. Carr
How far can a government limit religious freedom in the name of fighting the coronavirus (…
Apr 9, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2020
USCIRF Calls on Houthis in Yemen to Abide by Commitment to Release Hamid bin Haydara
Washington DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges…
Additional Name(s):
حامد بن حيدرة
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Houthis
Religion or Belief:
Bahá`í
Reports of Torture:…
Additional Name(s):
Bolatbek Dyusenbekovich Nurgaliyev
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Investigation Prison LA-155/18, Turksib, Almaty
Perpetrator:
Kazakhstan…
Additional Name(s):
Ernar Samatovich Samatov
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Investigation Prison LA-155/18, Turksib, Almaty
Perpetrator:
Kazakhstan…
Additional Name(s):
Beket Tastanbekovich Mynbasov
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Investigation Prison LA-155/18, Turksib, Almaty
Perpetrator:
Kazakhstan…
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
2020 Annual Report Release
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Virtual Release
Press Conference Transcript
Virtual Launch Transcript
On April 28, 2020, USCIRF released its 2020 Annual…
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…
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…
Jun 2, 2020
USCIRF Applauds Executive Order to Advance International Religious Freedom
Washington, DC –The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order on…
Published Op-ed
Jun 15, 2020
This op-ed was originally published by Forward, on June 15, 2020
By USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin, USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer, and Senator James Lankford
While the United States was celebrating…
Jun 16, 2020
Gayle Manchin Elected as Chair of Bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Tony Perkins and Anurima Bhargava as Vice Chairs
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today elected…
Jun 19, 2020
USCIRF Welcomes Senator Charles Schumer’s Appointment of Frederick A. Davie to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Washington, DC – Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced on June 17…
Jun 25, 2020
This op-ed was originally published by Newsweek, on June 25, 2020.
By USCIRF Commissioners Nury Turkel and Johnnie Moore
Human rights activists don’t often think first of countries like France, Germany,…
USCIRF ADVOCATE: Nadine Maenza
Advocacy:
Release of Raif Badawi an Overdue and a Necessary Step for Saudi Arabia…
Jul 31, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Commends Release of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Hamid Bin Haydara and 5 Other Baha’is in Yemen
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
USCIRF ADVOCATE: Johnnie Moore
Advocacy:
USCIRF Condemns Houthis for Summoning 19 Baha’is to Stand Trial on Spurious…
Title
Laos Chapter - 2019 Lao Translation
File Upload
Laos 2019_Lao translation.pdf
Language
Lao
Year
2019…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Kazakhstan Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Kazakhstan.pdf
Language
English
Year…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Saudi Arabia
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Saudi Arabia.pdf
Language
English
Year
2026…
Aug 21, 2020
USCIRF Calls for Action on UN International Day Commemorating the
Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recognizes the United Nations’…
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…