USCIRF

The Latest

Uyghur women work in a cloth factory in Hotan county, Xinjiang province, China.

China blacklisting companies that have stopped sourcing from Xinjiang

Mar 26, 2021

U.S. companies must stand strong and ensure their supply chains in China are not tainted with forced labor, one human... Read more

Chinese flag.

China deemed a top religious freedom concern in 2021

Jan 13, 2021

By Matt Hadro

China remains a primary human rights concern in 2021, a federal religious freedom commissioner told CNA this week.  Read more

Mor Abrohom Church in Nusaybin, Turkey.

Religious scholar laments: Turkish Christians 'a welcome scapegoat'

Jun 25, 2020

According to a scholar of comparative religion, Christians in Turkey are being persecuted by the Turkish government, in part to... Read more

Turkish airforce fighter jet.

US religious freedom commission condemns Turkish airstrikes

Jun 22, 2020

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a statement on Friday, calling on the Turkish military to halt... Read more

Flag of India.

India denies visa to US religious freedom investigators

Jun 11, 2020

India has barred U.S. representatives from investigating the county’s reported violations of religious freedom, continuing what critics call a trend... Read more

The flag of Turkey.

Turkey disputes US religious freedom commission's assessment of Turkey

May 1, 2020

The Turkish foreign ministry on Wednesday rejected Turkey's inclusion in a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom,... Read more

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian grotto in Pakistan.

US group calls Pakistan blocking of aid to Christians, Hindus 'reprehensible'

Apr 15, 2020

The U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom has called on the Pakistani government to ensure aid for the COVID-19 pandemic is... Read more

The White House, Washington, DC.

How a new presidential religious freedom adviser could shape US foreign policy

Feb 7, 2020

By Matt Hadro

Reports of a new special adviser to the President on international religious freedom could be a game-changer for U.S. foreign... Read more

Proposed changes to US Commission on International Religious Freedom draw fire

Nov 22, 2019

With the current authorization for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expiring this year, proposed changes to the... Read more

Hearing warns of increasing attacks on holy sites, houses of worship

Oct 24, 2019

The protection of holy sites and houses of worship was the subject of a recent hearing held by the U.S.... Read more

Tony Perkins.

Family Research Council president elected to chair religious freedom commission

Jun 20, 2019

The president of a Christian political advocacy and lobbying group has been elected to serve as chairman of the U.S.... Read more

Religious liberty report highlights China's repression of Muslims, Christians

Apr 29, 2019

The majority of the world’s worst violators of religious freedom are found in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, according... Read more

New report paints worrying picture of global religious freedom

Apr 26, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Religious freedom conditions worsened across the globe in the past year, according to the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom’s... Read more

Vietnamese pastor who was jailed for faith says it was 'God's gift to me'

Apr 19, 2018

By Courtney Mares

After surviving six years of imprisonment and torture, Vietnamese pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh told CNA that prayer sustained him through... Read more

Five things Catholics can do to support international religious liberty

Apr 19, 2018

By Courtney Mares

At the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Summit on Wednesday, Robert George shared five steps Catholics can take to... Read more

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian Grotto in Pakistan.

State Department names 10 countries as worst religious freedom offenders

Jan 4, 2018

By Christine Rousselle

The State Department on Thursday unveiled its list of countries designated as the worst offenders against religious liberty. Advocates of... Read more

Never tire of fighting for human rights, religious liberty advocate insists

Apr 26, 2017

By Matt Hadro

Amid a rising tide of violence, imprisonment, and harassment on account of people’s religious beliefs, the United States cannot grow... Read more

US leaders tell persecuted believers: 'You are not alone'

Apr 6, 2017

By Matt Hadro

Religious freedom advocates at the United States capitol on Thursday sent a message of solidarity to all those imprisoned or... Read more

European Commission officials visit camps for internally displaced Rohingyas in Burma.

Muslims and Christians in Burma still face persecution, US officials warn

Dec 14, 2016

By Adelaide Mena

Rohingya Muslims in Burma, as well as Christians, face continued persecution, destruction of homes and places of worship, and threats... Read more

Prisoners of conscience remembered on International Religious Freedom Day

Oct 27, 2016

By Matt Hadro

Leading religious freedom advocates called for the release of all “prisoners of conscience” worldwide on International Religious Freedom Day.  Read more