Displaying results 1 - 100 of 203

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…
Commission Releases Report, Recommendations on Turkmenistan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2002 Contact: Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 WASHINGTON - Religious-freedom conditions in Turkmenistan are extremely poor and respect for freedom of religion there is…
Turkmenistan: USCIRF Deeply Concerned by Turkmenistan's New Law on Religion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2003 Contact: Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply concerned over the recent passage of a harshly…
Turkmenistan: Commission to hold briefings with Helsinki Commission and RFE/RL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 7, 2004 Contact: Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) will hold two public, on-the-record briefings on "…
Turkmenistan: Should be designated a "Country of Particular Concern"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 28, 2004 Contact: Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 WASHINGTON - "The Commission believes that Turkmenistan should be designated a ‘country of particular concern' (CPC)…
U.S. Strategic Dilemmas in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2005 Contact: Julia Leikin (202) 775-3240 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) invite you to a public briefing on…
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan: Time for Straight Talk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2005 Contact: Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to…
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…
USCIRF Calls for Reform of Turkmenistan's Repressive Religion Law, Removal of State-Imposed Ideology from Religious Practice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 20, 2007 Contact: Judith Ingram, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 127 WASHINGTON-The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is calling for reform of Turkmenistan's repressive…
Did You Know...Turkmenistan
...that Turkmenistan is the most closed of the post-Soviet countries?Since 2007, Turkmenistan has been led by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The country’s first president who died in 2006, Saparmurat Niyazov, oversaw one of the world’s most…
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…
USCIRF Letter to Secretary Kerry on the Sixteenth Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent the following letter to Secretary of State Kerry on April 12, 2013. The Honorable John F. Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Department of State Washington, DC 20520 Dear Secretary Kerry: I…
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…
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…
USCIRF Welcomes IRF Report; Calls for CPC Designations
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…
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
Washington Post -- The U.S.'s Lagging Commitment to Religious Freedom
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
State Department Names the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom
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…
Bahram Hemdemov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Kerven Kakabayev
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Ikhlosbek Rozmetov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Mekan Annayev
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Veniamin Genjiyev
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Maksat Jumadurdiyev
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Isa Sayayev
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Ruslan Artykmuradov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Sokhbet Agamyradov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Serdar Atayev
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gurbangylych Muhammetgulyyev
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Azamatjan Narkulyev
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Eziz Atabayev
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
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…
Muhammedali Saparmuradov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Bahtiyar Atahanov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Azat Ashirov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
David Petrosov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Selim Taganov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Kamiljan Ergashov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am…
Serdar Dovletov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Vepa Matyakubov
Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
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…
Eurasianet: Lift the national security waiver on Turkmenistan
Jun 24, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared on Eurasianet, on June 24, 2020.  By USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin and Commissioner Gary Bauer The government of Turkmenistan is one of the most repressive regimes in the…
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…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Religious Prisoners in Turkmenistan’s Gulag
Aug 13, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases New Report about Religious Prisoners in Turkmenistan’s Gulag Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the…
2020 Annual Report Laos Chapter
Title Laos Chapter - 2019 Lao Translation File Upload Laos 2019_Lao translation.pdf Language Lao Year 2019…
Turkmenistan Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Turkmenistan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Turkmenistan.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…
Factsheet: Conscientious Objection
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…
Turkmenistan Policy Update
Read the full report here. Turkmenistan is one of the most consistent violators of religious freedom. USCIRF has recommended Turkmenistan as a Country of Particular concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) since 2000. Since…
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…
USCIRF Hearing on Religious Freedom in Russia and Central Asia
Sep 16 WHEN: Sep 16th 10:30pm - Sep 15th 12:00pm…
Annamurad Atdaev
Additional Name(s): Annamurad Atdayev, Атдаев Аннамурад Нурмухаммедович, Atdaýew Annamyrat Nurmuhammedowiç Gender: Male Perpetrator: Turkmenistan Ethnic Group: Turkmen…
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…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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…
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…
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—…
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          
USCIRF Welcomes Amnesty of Jehovah’s Witness Prisoners in Turkmenistan
May 11, 2021 USCIRF Welcomes Amnesty of Jehovah’s Witness Prisoners in Turkmenistan Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomed the presidential pardon of all 16 Jehovah’s Witness conscientious…
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…