Russia has intensified its enforcement of laws targeting perceived offensive expression toward religion, religious texts, and religious leaders. The Criminal Code penalizes “insulting the religious feelings of believers,” a vague, undefined standard…
Apr 14, 2025
USCIRF Releases Report on Russia’s Blasphemy EnforcementWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report: Prosecuting Blasphemy in Russia – Russia has…
May 23, 2025
At the end of 2024, over thirteen years since the onset of Syria’s protracted civil war, the country’s political landscape dramatically shifted when a rebel coalition toppled the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Religious freedom…
The Russian government perpetrates particularly severe violations of religious freedom against a range of religious groups and freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) actors, in blatant violation of international law. This report provides updates on…
Jun 30, 2025
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in RussiaWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report: Russia Country Update – The Russian government…
At the end of 2024, over 13 years since the onset of Syria’s protracted civil war, the country’s political landscape dramatically shifted when a coalition of Islamist rebels toppled the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Since then, religious…
Jul 1, 2025
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom and U.S. Policy in Post-Assad SyriaWashington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report: Religious Freedom and U.S. Policy…
Jul 18, 2025
USCIRF Condemns Violence against Syria’s Druze Community Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns this week’s outbreak of violence against Syria’s Druze community…
This summary provides an overview of USCIRF's hearing, "Freedom of Religion or Belief in Russia." Witnesses discussed religious freedom conditions in Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine. They also shared recommendations for the U.S. government to…