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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
...that Turkey’s strict adherence to secularism has lead to religious freedom violations for Muslims and non-Muslims alike?Turkey imported and enshrined the French concept of secularism, or laïcité, into its constitution on February 5, 1937. Often…
...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,…
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…
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 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…
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…
...that since August 2011 Turkey has returned more than 300 previously-expropriated properties to the country’s religious minority communities? However, many more properties have not been returned.Starting in 1936, the Turkish government expropriated…
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…
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…
Nov 10, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 10, 2014 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two anniversaries this month highlight the importance of continually confronting and combatting anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it arises.…
Nov 20, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 20, 2014 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged the Turkish government to reopen the Greek Orthodox Halki Seminary, the…
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…
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…
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…
Apr 23, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 23, 2015 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today solemnly marks the 100 year anniversary of the tragic killing of over one million…
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 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…
Nov 24, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 24, 2015
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on the Turkish government to reopen the Greek Orthodox Theological School of Halki,…
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.…
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…
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…
Dec 17, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 17, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C – A new study of textbooks used in Turkey’s compulsory “Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge” class found both improvements and issues of concern. The U.S.…
A new study of textbooks used in Turkey's compulsory "Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge" class found both improvements and issues of concern. USCIRF sponsored this study, which was conducted by Ziya Meral, a Turkish expert and 2010 USCIRF Crapa Fellow…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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;…
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…
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. –…
Oct 6, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2017
TURKEY: USCIRF Delegation Visits Imprisoned U.S. Citizen Pastor Andrew Brunson
Pastor Brunson says, "Knowing that I am not forgotten is important to me"
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Almost…
Oct 11, 2017
USCIRF Vice Chairwoman Kristina Arriaga Testifies Before the House Oversight Committee
Arriaga tells Members that religious freedom violations “have security implications for the United States"
…
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,…
Jan 17, 2018
This Op-Ed appeared originally in Religion News Service on January 11, 2018.
By former USCIRF Commissioners Sandra Jolley and Kristina Arriaga
(RNS) — For most pastors, the beginning of a new…
On February 15, 2018, Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga testified before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing on religious prisoners of conscience.
In her testimony, Vice Chair Arriaga discussed USCIRF's Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project…
Mar 13, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2018
USCIRF Strongly Condemns New Indictment Against Pastor Andrew Brunson, Including Possible Life Sentence
“USCIRF urges President Trump and others in the administration to redouble…
Apr 16, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 16, 2018
Turkey Misses Opportunity to Release Pastor Andrew Brunson, Sets Next Hearing for May 7
“We are deeply disappointed that Turkish officials today decided to prolong their…
May 7, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 7, 2018
Turkey Postpones Hearing to July 18, Sends Pastor Andrew Brunson Back to Prison
“The judge’s decision at the conclusion of today’s hearing to dismiss all of the…
Jul 18, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2018
Pastor Andrew Brunson Returned to Turkish Prison
“The government of Turkey continues to make a mockery of justice in its treatment of Pastor Brunson,” said USCIRF Vice Chair…
Jul 24, 2018
This op-ed was originally published by the Wall Street Journal on Jul9 19, 2018.
By former USCIRF Commissioner Kristina Arriaga
President Trump tweeted Wednesday evening: “A total disgrace that Turkey…
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…
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent the following letter to President Donald Trump on September 14, 2018.
President Donald Trump
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I write to you on behalf of the U.S…
Oct 12, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2018
Pastor Andrew Brunson Is Released
“While we welcome this good news, we should not lose sight of other religious freedom concerns in this country,” said Commissioner…
Oct 12, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2018
Pastor Andrew Brunson and Wife Depart Turkey
Commissioner Tony Perkins Accompanies Pastor Brunson and Wife Norine on Plane to U.S.
“I want to again commend President…
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…
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 (…
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…
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…
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…
Mar 8, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019
USCIRF Expresses Condolences on Death of Armenian Patriarch, Mesrob II, and Calls on Turkey to Allow Free Election of New Patriarch
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States…
Mar 28, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2019
USCIRF Condemns Erdogan’s Threats to Change Status of Hagia Sophia
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today…
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
Sep 26, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2019
USCIRF Urges U.S. Policymakers to Remain Engaged on Religious Freedom in Turkey
Calls on Turkish Government to Cease Interference in Religious Elections
WASHINGTON, DC…
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…
Oct 10, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2019
USCIRF Statement on Anniversary of Pastor Andrew Brunson’s Release
WASHINGTON, DC – On October 12, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF…
Nov 7, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 7, 2019
USCIRF Condemns Turkish Air Strikes on Sinjar
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns recent Turkish air…
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…
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…
Jun 19, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2020
USCIRF Condemns Turkish Military Operations in Northern Iraq
Calls on Turkish President to Cease Air Strikes and Violence Targeting Civilian Areas
Washington, DC – The U.S.…
Jul 2, 2020
This op-ed originally appeared on Newsweek, on July 2, 2020.
By USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore and Tugba Tabyeri-Erdemir
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated his desire to convert…
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…
Jul 10, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USCIRF Decries Decision to Change Status of the Hagia Sophia
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) decries the decision of Turkey’s…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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.…
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…