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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…
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…
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…
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 "…
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)…
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…
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…
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…
...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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Title
2025 Annual Report - Sri Lanka Chapter
File Upload
Sri Lanka 2025 USCIRF Annual Report.pdf
Language
English
Year
2025…
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Jun 24
WHEN:
Jun 24th 6:59pm…
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 24
WHEN:
Jul 24th 1:00pm
-
Jul 24th 1:00pm…
Click here to view the October 2019 Factsheet on Enforced Disappearances in Malaysia.
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)…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Feb 11
WHEN:
Feb 11th 10:30am…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Malaysia Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Malaysia.pdf
Language
English
Year
2026…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Turkmenistan Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Turkmenistan.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…
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…
Oct 23
WHEN:
Oct 23rd 3:00pm…
Aug 05
WHEN:
Aug 5th 10:30am…
Sep 16
WHEN:
Sep 16th 10:30pm
-
Sep 15th 12:00pm…
Additional Name(s):
Annamurad Atdayev, Атдаев Аннамурад Нурмухаммедович, Atdaýew Annamyrat Nurmuhammedowiç
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group:
Turkmen…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Malaysia
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Protestant
Date of Detainment:
February/13/2017…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Malaysia
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of Torture:
No
Reports of Medical…
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…
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…
Advocacy:
Press Release: USCIRF Calls Attention to Pastor Raymond Koh on 5th Anniversary of Disappearance, February 11, 2022…
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…
Feb 25
WHEN:
Feb 25th 11:00am
-
Feb 25th 12:30pm…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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,…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:USCIRF recommends that the State Department redesignate Turkmenistan as a CPC under IRFA.
Actions…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Lift the waiver on taking action as a consequence of Turkmenistan’s CPC designation to hold the government of…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Identify Turkmenistan government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Press for at the highest levels and work to secure the immediate release of individuals imprisoned for…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Ensure continued U.S. funding for Radio Azatlyk, the Turkmen service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL),…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Redesignate Turkmenistan as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, for engaging in systematic,…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Turkmenistani government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Press at the highest levels to secure the identification and immediate release of individuals imprisoned…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Redesignate Turkmenistan as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing,…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Take presidential action to limit security assistance to Turkmenistan under IRFA Section 405(a)(22) to hold…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Turkmenistan government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Turkmenistan
Recommended To: The Administration
Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report
Recommendation:Urge the government of Turkmenistan to provide a civilian alternative to military service and to release…
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…
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…
Sri Lanka is a diverse country where complex ethno-religious divisions contribute to tension among the various communities. Despite protections guaranteed by the constitution and international law, Muslims and other religious minorities suffer abusive…