USCIRF
The Latest
‘Real sanctions, real consequences’ are needed for countries on religious freedom watchlist
USCIRF Chairman Stephen Schneck said: “The CPC [Country of Particular Concern] designation really only works as an instrument for naming... Read more
Christians face arbitrary arrests, grave religious freedom violations in India
According to a recent report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Christians in India are facing increasingly... Read more
China is removing crosses from churches, replacing images of Christ with Xi Jinping
A new report details the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to “exert total control” over the Catholic Church and other religious... Read more
Nicaragua releases 135 political, religious prisoners; many still remain in custody
Nicaraguan authorities released 135 political and religious prisoners following international pressure, but many critics of the government still remain behind... Read more
Over 70 Christians killed, 20 medical students kidnapped in recent Nigeria violence
The attacks have renewed calls from religious freedom advocates that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria a “country of... Read more
U.S. religious freedom watchdog urges White House to list India as country of concern
The USCIRF said it was “alarmed by India’s increased transnational targeting of religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf.” Read more
Advocates for persecuted Christians in Nigeria question U.S. report that portrays Fulani as victims
Advocates for persecuted Christians in Nigeria are criticizing a new report prepared by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Read more
Imprisoned Nicaraguan bishop deserves US support, religious freedom advocates say
“This miscarriage of justice will not be forgotten,” USCIRF Commissioner Frederick A. Davie said Feb. 14. Read more
Religious freedom ‘under assault’ across the world, leaders testify at summit
Faith leaders from across the world gathered in Washington, D.C., at the International Religious Freedom Summit this week. Read more
Human rights commission ‘outraged’ as State Department excludes Nigeria from watchlist
In Nigeria at least 60,000 Christians have been killed, many by their Muslim countrymen, over the past two decades. Read more
U.S. religious freedom commission ‘tremendously disappointed’ with Vatican-China deal renewal
A member of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom says it is “tremendously disappointed” with the Vatican’s decision. Read more
Human rights activists call on US State Department to return Nigeria to religious freedom watchlist
Human rights advocates are calling on U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to put Nigeria back on a list of... Read more
Religious freedom advocates warn that church closures are ‘wrong direction’ for Algeria
The closure of several Christian churches in Algeria, as well as court convictions of Christians for undermining Muslim beliefs, are... Read more
Legislators urge Biden to address global religious persecution
A bipartisan group of members of Congress asked President Biden this week to prioritize responding to global religious persecution. Read more
After China retaliates with sanctions, U.S. religious freedom advocates say they won’t be silenced
After China announced retaliatory sanctions against U.S. human rights advocates this weekend, advocates responded they would not be silent about... Read more
China blacklisting companies that have stopped sourcing from Xinjiang
U.S. companies must stand strong and ensure their supply chains in China are not tainted with forced labor, one human... Read more
China deemed a top religious freedom concern in 2021
China remains a primary human rights concern in 2021, a federal religious freedom commissioner told CNA this week. Read more
Religious scholar laments: Turkish Christians 'a welcome scapegoat'
According to a scholar of comparative religion, Christians in Turkey are being persecuted by the Turkish government, in part to... Read more
US religious freedom commission condemns Turkish airstrikes
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a statement on Friday, calling on the Turkish military to halt... Read more
India denies visa to US religious freedom investigators
India has barred U.S. representatives from investigating the county’s reported violations of religious freedom, continuing what critics call a trend... Read more
