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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…
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…
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 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…
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-…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Additional Name(s):
أحمد الشامري
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Al Qaisumah Detention Center
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab…
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…
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 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…
Read the full report here.This report is an examination of religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua following the outbreak of anti-government protests in April 2018 that continue to occur around the country. Throughout this political crisis, the Catholic…
Mar 11, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2020
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Nicaragua
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
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 …
Jul 20, 2020
This op-ed was originally published by The Washington Examiner, on July 20, 2020.
By USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin and USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins
In Iraq, the 50th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces has…
USCIRF ADVOCATE: Nadine Maenza
Advocacy:
Release of Raif Badawi an Overdue and a Necessary Step for Saudi Arabia…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Nicaragua Chapter
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Nicaragua.pdf
Language
English
Year
2026…
Title
2026 Annual Report - Saudi Arabia
File Upload
USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Saudi Arabia.pdf
Language
English
Year
2026…
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…
Aug 05
WHEN:
Aug 5th 10:30am…
Oct 21
WHEN:
Oct 21st 10:00am
-
Oct 21st 11:30am…
Nov 5, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Releases Report on the Saudi Guardianship System
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a new report on Saudi religious…
Click here for the Report on the Saudi Guardianship System
This report describes Saudi Arabia’s guardianship system and explains how it restricts religious freedom in the country. It briefly reviews the history of guardianship laws in Saudi…
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…
Feb 10, 2021
USCIRF Calls for Magnitsky Sanctions on Saudi Officials Following Release of Loujain al-Hathloul
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed relief over…
Feb 25
WHEN:
Feb 25th 11:00am
-
Feb 25th 12:30pm…
Factsheet on Shari’a and LGBTI Persons – In some countries around the world, criminal laws provide for the death penalty based on religious interpretations. This factsheet highlights countries with death penalty laws that target the LGBTI community…
Mar 16, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report about Shari’a and LGBTI Persons
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following factsheet on governments’ use of…
Mar 26, 2021
In some countries around the world, religion-based laws are used by governments to impose capital punishment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons. All of the 10 countries…
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…
Apr 29, 2021
Read full article
This op-ed was originally published by TIME, on April 28, 2019.
By USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin and Commissioner Nadine Maenza.
Jun 23
WHEN:
Jun 23rd 10:30am…
Jun 17, 2021
USCIRF Condemns Saudi Arabia’s Latest Execution of Shi’a Man
Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the Saudi government for executing Mustafa…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Blasphemy Laws
Recommendation:Press the Saudi Shura Council to pass and fully implement an antidiscrimination law…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Recommendation:Implore the Saudi government to release Raif Badawi, his council Waleed Abu al-Khair, and other religious prisoners of…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Recommendation:Press the Saudi government to devise and implement a plan to end the guardianship system that treats women as…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2019 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Textbooks
Recommendation:Continue to press the Saudi Ministry of Education to remove inflammatory and intolerant…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Recommendation:Redesignate Saudi Arabia as a “coun-try of particular concern” (CPC), for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: U.S. Congress
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Recommendation:Press the administration to determine whether Saudi officials responsible for the detention and mistreatment of…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: U.S. Congress
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Recommendation:Hold public hearings in order to pres-sure Saudi Arabia to release prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia, including Raif…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: U.S. Congress
Source: 2020 Annual Report
Thematic Area: Textbooks
Recommendation:Pass the bipartisan Saudi Educational Transparency and Reform Act, which requires the U.S.…
Status: not_implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: U.S. Congress
Source: 2020 Saudi Arabia Country Update
Recommendation:Adopt legislation requiring the State Department to publicly report on inflammatory and intolerant content…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Saudi Arabia Country Update
Recommendation:Call upon the Saudi government to release religious prisoners of conscience, including Raif Bedawi and his…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Saudi Arabia Country Update
Recommendation:Press Saudi Arabia to continue to dismantle the religious guardianship system and release from prison…
Status: partially_implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Saudi Guardianship Report
Recommendation:Urge the Saudi government to develop a set of policies to end the guardianship system by removing…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Saudi Guardianship Report
Recommendation:Emphasize in public statements and private meetings with Saudi government officials the importance of religious…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Saudi Guardianship Report
Recommendation:Emphasize in public statements and private meetings with Saudi government officials the importance of religious…
Status: implemented
Year:
Country: Saudi Arabia
Recommended To: State Department
Source: 2020 Saudi Guardianship Report
Recommendation:Call publicly for the release of activists imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for peacefully protesting religious…
Additional Name(s):
Hasan Farhan Hasan Al Zaghli Al Khaledi Al Malki, حسن المالكي, حسن فرحان حسن الزغلي الخالدي المالكي
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Ha’ir Prison, South of Riyadh…
This report assesses religious freedom conditions in Saudi Arabia in 2021. While recent shifts have diverted power away from Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment, power remains in the hands of Saudi Arabia’s government. The government has continued,…
Sep 28, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Saudi Arabia
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Saudi…
Oct 8, 2021
Saudi Arabia has made some reforms to select polices impacting religious freedom, including improvements to its textbooks. Nevertheless, there are still several deeply rooted issues that undermine the credibility of…
Additional Name(s):
Ali Mohammed Baqir al-Nimr, علي محمد باقر النمر
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mabahith Prison, Dammam
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia…
Additional Name(s):
Dawoud al-Marhoon, داود المرهون
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mabahith Prison, Dammam
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:…
Additional Name(s):
عبد الله الزاهر
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Shi'a…
Additional Name(s):
عائشة المهاجري
Gender:
Female
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Unspecified/Other…
Additional Name(s):
محمد الربيعة
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Dhahban Prison, Jeddah
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab…
Additional Name(s):
Salman al-Awda, Salman Alodah, Salman Fahad Al Odah, سلمان فهد العودة
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Ha’ir Prison, South of Riyadh
Perpetrator:
Saudi…