The increasing enforcement of blasphemy laws enshrined in Nigeria’s criminal and Shari’a codes poses a significant risk to religious freedom for Nigerians, especially religious minorities and those who espouse unpopular or dissenting beliefs, worldviews…
Oct 26, 2022
USCIRF Releases New Report on Blasphemy Laws in Nigeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Blasphemy Laws in Nigeria – The increasing…
Nov 25, 2022
Alevis constitute the largest religious minority in Turkey and have faced persistent obstacles to the exercise of their religious freedom. In October 2022, the Turkish government announced its plan to create a new state-run Alevi institution—…
Dec 2, 2022
USCIRF Outraged by Omission of Nigeria and India from State Department’s List of Countries of Particular Concern
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) finds it inexplicable that the U.S. Department of…
This report reviews Turkey’s continued criminalization of blasphemy under Article 216(3) of the Turkish Penal Code, which permits a prison sentence ranging from six months to one year for an individual “who openly insults the religious values of a…
Dec 6, 2022
USCIRF Releases Report on Blasphemy Charges in Turkey
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report:
Blasphemy Charges in Turkey – This report reviews Turkey…
Dec 16, 2022
Pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the U.S. Department of State designates Countries of Particular Concern, places countries on its Special Watch List, and designates Entities of Particular Concern. As part of this…
Mar 8, 2023
USCIRF Observes International Women’s Day
Brings Attention to Religious Freedom Violations Abroad Against Women
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today commemorates International Women’s Day, and…
Mar 9, 2023
This op-ed was originally published by The Hill on March 8, 2023.
By USCIRF Commissioners Mohamed Magid and Frank R. Wolf
At the start of the new year, armed gunmen in northern Nigeria invaded the home of …
This factsheet places African traditional and indigenous religions within the broader international religious freedom discourse, from which they have historically been underrepresented. In several contexts, practitioners of African traditional and…