Displaying results 1 - 100 of 142

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…
Public Hearing: Religious Freedom in North Korea
Longworth House Office Building, Room 1302Photo Gallery: Commission members (left to right): Richard D. Land, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Bishop William Francis Murphy, Felice D. Gaer, Executive Director Steven T. McFarland,…
North Korea: Human Rights Ground Zero:
University of California at Los Angeles January 27, 2004 Transcript Welcome and Introductory Remarks - Michael K. Young, Commission Chair and Dean, George Washington University Law School Oral Testimony Panel One Roger…
Press Conference on North Korea Report: "Thank You Father Kim Il Sung"
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM "THANK YOU FATHER KIM IL SUNG" November 15, 2005 Speakers: MICHAEL CROMARTIE, THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BISHOP RICARDO RAMIREZ, THE UNITED…
Ensure Human Rights Are on the Agenda With North Korea, Commission Urges President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2002 Contact: Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent federal agency advising the Administration…
Press Conference and Briefing on North Korea
Transcript Introductory Remarks by Chair Michael Cromartie Introductory Remarks by Commissioner Imam Talal Y. Eid Remarks by Chair Cromartie
Did You Know...North Korea
...that since 1945 North Korea’s once-diverse and vibrant religious community has largely disappeared?North Korea’s reactions to new sanctions, including its latest nuclear threats and declaration invalidating the 1953 Armistice ending the Korean War,…
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…
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…
The Seattle Times -- World must pressure North Korea on human rights
Oct 27, 2014 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONOctober 27, 2014 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon The following op-ed appeared in The Seattle Times on October 24, 2014 NORTH Korea’s release of Jeffrey Fowle, imprisoned for leaving…
North Korea Must be Held Accountable for its Abysmal Human Rights Record
Dec 22, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 22, 2014 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the UN General Assembly’s passage on December 18 of a resolution that…
Testimony of USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George on "The Crisis of International Religious Freedom"
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…
North Korea: USCIRF Urges Religious Freedom Be Included in UN Security Council Human Rights Meeting
Dec 9, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 9, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends the United States and eight other countries for requesting a meeting of the UN Security…
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,…
Religion News Service -- Today — of all days — remember the disappeared
Aug 30, 2016 FOR YOUR INFORMATION August 30, 2016 | Daniel I. Mark and Sandra Jolley The following op/ed appeared in Religion News Service on August 30, 2016   (RNS) Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was a 6-year-old boy when he…
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…
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,…
Religious Freedom and Related Human Rights in North Korea
Click here to view the Policy Update: Religious Freedom and Related Human Rights in North Korea
USCIRF Statement on Release of New Policy Update on Religious Freedom in North Korea
Nov 30, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2018   USCIRF Statement on Release of New Policy Update on Religious Freedom in North Korea WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (…
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…
USCIRF Urges President Trump to Address Religious Freedom Abuses in North Korea
Feb 27, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2019     USCIRF Urges President Trump to Address Religious Freedom Abuses in North Korea WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom…
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)…
USCIRF Disappointed UN Security Council Did Not Discuss Religious Freedom in North Korea
Dec 16, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2019       USCIRF Disappointed UN Security Council Did Not Discuss Religious Freedom in North Korea   WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on…
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am…
USCIRF Commissioner James Carr Adopts Deacon Zhang Wen Shi of North Korea and Pastor A Dao of Vietnam through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
May 29, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 29, 2020 USCIRF Commissioner James Carr Adopts Deacon Zhang Wen Shi of North Korea and Pastor A Dao of Vietnam through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project Washington, DC – United States Commission on…
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…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Human Rights Advocacy and the North Korea Nuclear Impasse
Jul 8, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USCIRF Releases New Report about Human Rights Advocacy and the North Korea Nuclear Impasse Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
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…
The National Interest: There Shall Be No God But Kim: Religious Freedom in North Korea
Aug 2, 2020 This op-ed originally appears in The National Interest, on August 2, 2020. By USCIRF Commissioners James W. Carr and Frederick A. Davie For years, Deacon Jang Moon Seok ministered to North Koreans…
Deacon Zhang Wen Shi
Advocacy: Event: FoRB Victims List and Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project Update, February 25, 2021…
Malaysia Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Malaysia Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Malaysia.pdf Language English Year 2026…
North Korea Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - North Korea Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report North Korea.pdf Language English Year…
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…
North Korea Policy Update
Read the full report here. Religious freedom conditions in North Korea remain among the worst in the world, yet the U.S. government for decades has tended to prioritize security concerns over human rights rather than integrating the two issues as…
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…
Zhang Wen Shi
Additional Name(s): Jang Moon Seok Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant…
FoRB Victims List and Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project Update
Feb 25 WHEN: Feb 25th 11:00am - Feb 25th 12:30pm…
Joo Gwang Ho
Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Reports of Torture…
Chung Yong Cheol
Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Reports of Torture…
Chang Man Sik
Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Health Concerns: Stomach issues…
Lee Soo Gil
Gender: Male Perpetrator: North Korea Ethnic Group: Korean Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant Reports of Torture…
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          
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: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Freedom of Information Recommendation:Expand existing radio programming transmitted into North Korea and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Security and Human Rights Recommendation:Include, whenever possible, both the Special Envoy and the…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Fill the current vacancy and maintain the Special Envoy for North Korean t g human rights issues as a full-time…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Sanctions Recommendation:Make any future discussions regarding the easing or lifting of sanctions…
recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Pressure the North Korean governmen to grant international human rights monitors unfettered access to document…
recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: Congress Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Work with the administration to clarify the conditions under which Congress would approve the partial or complete lifting…
recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Freedom of Information Recommendation:Instruct the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s Open Technology Fund to…
recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Urge the North Korean government to grant international human rights monitors unfettered access to document…
recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Fill the current vacancy and maintain the Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues as a fulltime,…
recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: CPC status Recommendation:Redesignate North Korea as a CPC Actions Taken:The DPRK was…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: Congress Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Sanctions Recommendation:Work with the administration to clarify the conditions under which Congress would approve…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Sanctions Recommendation:Integrate security and human rights as complementary objectives in U.S. policy…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: United Nations Recommendation:Urge the North Korean government to grant international human rights…
Recommendations
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: The Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Government positions Recommendation:Fill and maintain the position of Special Envoy for North Korean…
Recommendations
Status: implemented Year: Country: North Korea Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Designate North Korea as a CPC
USCIRF Conversation: New Report on Religious Freedom Violations in North Korea
Aug 18 WHEN: Aug 18th 11:00am - Aug 18th 12:00pm…
Organized Persecution: Documenting Religious Freedom Violations in North Korea
This report documents the North Korean government’s religious freedom violations based on primary information gathered over the past year from in-person interviews with North Korean defectors who are survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators of these…
USCIRF Releases Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Violations in North Korea
Aug 18, 2021 USCIRF Releases Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Violations in North Korea Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a new report titled “Organized…
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…
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…
USCIRF Releases 2022 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
Apr 25, 2022 USCIRF Releases 2022 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy  Recommends Afghanistan as Country of Particular Concern Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious…