Last month, USCIRF traveled to Abuja, Nigeria and met with Nigerian and U.S. government officials, religious communities, civil society representatives, and human rights defenders to assess religious freedom conditions and discuss threats facing Nigerians of a range of faiths and worldviews. The trip came following the U.S. State Department’s November 2021 decision to remove Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of international religious freedom after designating it as a CPC for the first time in 2020. Commissioner Fred Davie, who led that that USCIRF delegation, joins us today to discuss his key takeaways from the trip and insight into USCIRF’s continued recommendation of Nigeria as a CPC.  Read USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report Chapter on Nigeria With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFMadeline Vellturo, Policy AnalystDylan Schexnaydre, Victims List and Outreach Specialist, USCIRF

Last month, USCIRF traveled to Abuja, Nigeria and met with Nigerian and U.S. government officials, religious communities, civil society representatives, and human rights defenders to assess religious freedom conditions and discuss threats facing Nigerians of a range of faiths and worldviews. The trip came following the U.S. State Department’s November 2021 decision to remove Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of international religious freedom after designating it as a CPC for the first time in 2020. Commissioner Fred Davie, who led that that USCIRF delegation, joins us today to discuss his key takeaways from the trip and insight into USCIRF’s continued recommendation of Nigeria as a CPC. Read <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/2022%20Nigeria.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report Chapter on Nigeria</a> With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFMadeline Vellturo, Policy AnalystDylan Schexnaydre, Victims List and Outreach Specialist, USCIRF

Religious Freedom Takeaways on the Ground in Nigeria

This past spring, USCIRF staff traveled to Turkey and met with religious and nonbelief communities across the country. Numerous issues continue to negatively impact their freedom of religion or belief, including an inability to train clergy, mandatory religion classes, the threat of blasphemy charges, and other forms of discrimination. USCIRF has monitored and reported on Turkey since the late 2000s, recommending it for placement on the Special Watch List (previously known as Tier 2) every year since 2014 and most recently again in USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report. Senior Policy Analyst Keely Bakken, who was part of that USCIRF delegation to Turkey, joins us today to discuss some of the findings of that trip as well as USCIRF’s recent policy recommendations.Read USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report Chapter on TurkeyListen to USCIRF’s Spotlight Podcast Episode Sivas Massacre and Turkey’s Persecution of the Alevi CommunityListen to USCIRF’s Spotlight Podcast Episode 50 Years and Counting: The Continued Closure of Halki Seminary in TurkeyWith Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFKeely Bakken, Senior Policy Analyst, USCIRFDylan Schexnaydre, Victims List and Outreach Specialist, USCIRF

This past spring, USCIRF staff traveled to Turkey and met with religious and nonbelief communities across the country. Numerous issues continue to negatively impact their freedom of religion or belief, including an inability to train clergy, mandatory religion classes, the threat of blasphemy charges, and other forms of discrimination. USCIRF has monitored and reported on Turkey since the late 2000s, recommending it for placement on the Special Watch List (previously known as Tier 2) every year since 2014 and most recently again in USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report. Senior Policy Analyst Keely Bakken, who was part of that USCIRF delegation to Turkey, joins us today to discuss some of the findings of that trip as well as USCIRF’s recent policy recommendations. Read <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2022%20Turkey.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report Chapter on Turkey</a>Listen to USCIRF’s Spotlight Podcast Episode <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/uscirf-spotlight/sivas-massacre-and-turkeys-persecution-alevi-community" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sivas Massacre and Turkey’s Persecution of the Alevi Community</a>Listen to USCIRF’s Spotlight Podcast Episode <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/uscirf-spotlight/50-years-and-counting-continued-closure-halki-seminary-turkey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">50 Years and Counting: The Continued Closure of Halki Seminary in Turkey</a> With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFKeely Bakken, Senior Policy Analyst, USCIRFDylan Schexnaydre, Victims List and Outreach Specialist, USCIRF

Conditions for Religious and Nonbelief Communities in Turkey

On July 5 and 6, the British government will be hosting the 2022 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in London. The conference will bring together government, civil society, faith, and belief groups to agree on action to prevent FoRB violations and abuses and offer ways to protect and promote religious freedom around the world. British Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief Fiona Bruce joins us today to preview the activities at this year’s ministerial and discusses her work with the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) in advancing religious freedom globally.  Learn more about the 2022 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or BeliefLearn more about IRFBA With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFDylan Schexnaydre, Victims List and Outreach Specialist, USCIRF

On July 5 and 6, the British government will be hosting the 2022 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in London. The conference will bring together government, civil society, faith, and belief groups to agree on action to prevent FoRB violations and abuses and offer ways to protect and promote religious freedom around the world. British Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief Fiona Bruce joins us today to preview the activities at this year’s ministerial and discusses her work with the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) in advancing religious freedom globally. Learn more about the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/international-ministerial-conference-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-london-2022/about" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2022 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief</a>Learn more about <a href="https://www.state.gov/international-religious-freedom-or-belief-alliance/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">IRFBA</a> With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFDylan Schexnaydre, Victims List and Outreach Specialist, USCIRF

Preview of the 2022 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Next week, from June 28 to June 30, the second annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit will be held in Washington, DC. The IRF Summit brings together a diverse coalition of NGOs and individuals from all over the world committed to the fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief and aims to increase public awareness and political support for the international religious freedom movement. Former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, co-chair of the IRF Summit, joins us today to preview this year’s activities and the Summit’s importance for promoting freedom of religion or belief.Check out the IRF Summit websiteWith Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFKirsten Lavery, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFDylan Schexnaydre, Victims List and Outreach Specialist, USCIRF

Next week, from June 28 to June 30, the second annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit will be held in Washington, DC. The IRF Summit brings together a diverse coalition of NGOs and individuals from all over the world committed to the fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief and aims to increase public awareness and political support for the international religious freedom movement. Former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, co-chair of the IRF Summit, joins us today to preview this year’s activities and the Summit’s importance for promoting freedom of religion or belief. Check out the <a href="https://irfsummit.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">IRF Summit website</a> With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFKirsten Lavery, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFDylan Schexnaydre, Victims List and Outreach Specialist, USCIRF

Preview of the IRF Summit 2022

USCIRF began monitoring religious freedom conditions in Central African Republic (CAR) in 2013 when the country descended into civil conflict. After seven years of recommending that CAR be designated a country of particular concern, in 2020 USCIRF recommended CAR for Special Watchlist status due to improvements in the situation on the ground—and the next year, in 2021, we no longer recommended CAR for even the Special Watchlist. However, religious freedom conditions in CAR deteriorated in 2021, especially for Muslim minorities, causing USCIRF to return CAR to the list of countries it recommends for Special Watchlist status.John Lechner, an expert in geopolitics and human rights in Africa who recently returned from CAR, joins us today to discuss religious freedom conditions in the country.With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFJohn Lechner, Expert on security, geopolitics, and human rights in AfricaGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

USCIRF began monitoring religious freedom conditions in Central African Republic (CAR) in 2013 when the country descended into civil conflict. After seven years of recommending that CAR be designated a country of particular concern, in 2020 USCIRF recommended CAR for Special Watchlist status due to improvements in the situation on the ground—and the next year, in 2021, we no longer recommended CAR for even the Special Watchlist. However, religious freedom conditions in CAR deteriorated in 2021, especially for Muslim minorities, causing USCIRF to return CAR to the list of countries it recommends for Special Watchlist status. John Lechner, an expert in geopolitics and human rights in Africa who recently returned from CAR, joins us today to discuss religious freedom conditions in the country. With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFJohn Lechner, Expert on security, geopolitics, and human rights in AfricaGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Religious Freedom Backslides in Central African Republic

Iran has gone to great lengths to arrest and detain religious minorities, including Christians, Baha’is, Sunni Muslims, Sufis, and spiritualists. The Iranian government has taken it a step further and also targeted those who peacefully dissent from the government’s preferred religious views, particularly women, nontheists, and members of the LGBTI community. Amid country-wide protests in Iran over the past several weeks over food subsidies, as well as ongoing multilateral talks in Vienna, Iran is once again in the foreign policy spotlight.USCIRF Supervisory Policy Analyst Scott Weiner with Victims List and Outreach Specialist Dylan Schexnaydre join us today to discuss religious prisoners of conscience in Iran and USCIRF’s Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List.Check out the Freedom of Religion or Belief Victim’s ListRead USCIRF’s Factsheet on Global Overview of Refugees Fleeing Religious PersecutionRead USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report Chapter on IranWith Contributions from:Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFScott Weiner, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFDylan Schexnaydre, Victims List and Outreach Specialist, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Iran has gone to great lengths to arrest and detain religious minorities, including Christians, Baha’is, Sunni Muslims, Sufis, and spiritualists. The Iranian government has taken it a step further and also targeted those who peacefully dissent from the government’s preferred religious views, particularly women, nontheists, and members of the LGBTI community. Amid country-wide protests in Iran over the past several weeks over food subsidies, as well as ongoing multilateral talks in Vienna, Iran is once again in the foreign policy spotlight. USCIRF Supervisory Policy Analyst Scott Weiner with Victims List and Outreach Specialist Dylan Schexnaydre join us today to discuss religious prisoners of conscience in Iran and USCIRF’s Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List. Check out the <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/victims-list/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Freedom of Religion or Belief Victim’s List</a>Read USCIRF’s <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2022%20Factsheet%20-%20Refugees%20Fleeing%20Religious%20Persecution%20Globally.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Factsheet on Global Overview of Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution</a>Read USCIRF’s <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/2022%20Iran.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2022 Annual Report Chapter on Iran</a> With Contributions from:Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFScott Weiner, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFDylan Schexnaydre, Victims List and Outreach Specialist, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Religious Prisoners of Conscience in Iran

Uzbekistan is one of a handful of countries that has seen dramatic improvements for religious freedom in recent years; however, religious communities are still experiencing high levels of government regulation and repression that is continuing to impact their ability to exercise their freedom of religion or belief.In April 2022, USCIRF sent a delegation to Uzbekistan. Senior Policy Analyst Keely Bakken, who was part of that USCIRF delegation to Uzbekistan, joins us today to discuss the outcome of the trip, recent developments since then, and other areas of possible reform in Uzbekistan. Read USCIRF’s report on Uzbekistan’s Religious and Political PrisonersWith Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFKeely Bakken, Senior Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Uzbekistan is one of a handful of countries that has seen dramatic improvements for religious freedom in recent years; however, religious communities are still experiencing high levels of government regulation and repression that is continuing to impact their ability to exercise their freedom of religion or belief. In April 2022, USCIRF sent a delegation to Uzbekistan. Senior Policy Analyst Keely Bakken, who was part of that USCIRF delegation to Uzbekistan, joins us today to discuss the outcome of the trip, recent developments since then, and other areas of possible reform in Uzbekistan. Read USCIRF’s report on <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2021-10/2021%20Uzbekistan%20Report_0.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Uzbekistan’s Religious and Political Prisoners</a> With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFKeely Bakken, Senior Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Uzbekistan: Gaps in Principles and Practice

Expedited Removal is the U.S. immigration law process that allows officers in the Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, to quickly deport noncitizens who arrive at U.S. ports of entry or cross the border without proper documents, unless the noncitizen can establish a “credible fear” of persecution or torture. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. government has expelled most migrants and asylum seekers who try to enter the United States under a public health authority, referred to as Title 42, rather than under Expedited Removal. Beginning in mid-2021, the Biden administration resumed using Expedited Removal in some cases. It is planning to lift the Title 42 order soon and return to using Expedited Removal more broadly. Elizabeth Cassidy, USCIRF’s Director of Research and Policy, joins us today to discuss concerns and recommendations about the treatment of asylum seekers in the Expedited Removal process and its relevance to international religious freedom.With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFElizabeth Cassidy, Director of Research and Policy, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Expedited Removal is the U.S. immigration law process that allows officers in the Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, to quickly deport noncitizens who arrive at U.S. ports of entry or cross the border without proper documents, unless the noncitizen can establish a “credible fear” of persecution or torture. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. government has expelled most migrants and asylum seekers who try to enter the United States under a public health authority, referred to as Title 42, rather than under Expedited Removal. Beginning in mid-2021, the Biden administration resumed using Expedited Removal in some cases. It is planning to lift the Title 42 order soon and return to using Expedited Removal more broadly.  Elizabeth Cassidy, USCIRF’s Director of Research and Policy, joins us today to discuss concerns and recommendations about the treatment of asylum seekers in the Expedited Removal process and its relevance to international religious freedom. With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFElizabeth Cassidy, Director of Research and Policy, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Treatment of Asylum Seekers in the Expedited Removal Process

To combat the human rights and religious freedom violations that have occurred as a result of online hate speech, some social media companies now regulate speech on their platforms. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social media platforms often have rules that ban certain types of speech—including hate speech directed at religious communities. However, the excess removal of speech can also impact the right to religious freedom and religious expression of users.Lou Ann Sabatier, Principal at Sabatier Consulting, joins us today to discuss content moderation and its impact on freedom of religion or belief globally.See USCIRF’s factsheet Protecting Religious Freedom OnlineWith Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFLou Ann Sabatier, Principal, Sabatier Consulting Kirsten Lavery, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

To combat the human rights and religious freedom violations that have occurred as a result of online hate speech, some social media companies now regulate speech on their platforms. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social media platforms often have rules that ban certain types of speech—including hate speech directed at religious communities. However, the excess removal of speech can also impact the right to religious freedom and religious expression of users. Lou Ann Sabatier, Principal at Sabatier Consulting, joins us today to discuss content moderation and its impact on freedom of religion or belief globally. See USCIRF’s factsheet <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/2021%20Factsheet%20-%20Protecting%20Religious%20Freedom%20Online.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Protecting Religious Freedom Online</a> With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFLou Ann Sabatier, Principal, Sabatier Consulting Kirsten Lavery, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Content Moderation Online and its Impact on Religious Freedom

Since 2020, USCIRF has recommended that India be designated a Country of Particular of Concern, or CPC, due to the Indian government’s promotion of Hindu nationalism, and engagement and facilitation of systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. The othering of those that are non-Hindu through the misuse of national and state-level legislation has turned India’s diverse and pluralistic society into more of a hostile state for many religious communities, particularly Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Adivasis, and Dalits.Today USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava joins us to discuss the growing climate of intolerance toward non-Hindus in India.Read USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report Chapter on IndiaWith Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFAnurima Bhargava, Commissioner, USCIRF Gabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRFNiala Mohammad, Senior Policy Analyst, USCIRF

Since 2020, USCIRF has recommended that India be designated a Country of Particular of Concern, or CPC, due to the Indian government’s promotion of Hindu nationalism, and engagement and facilitation of systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. The othering of those that are non-Hindu through the misuse of national and state-level legislation has turned India’s diverse and pluralistic society into more of a hostile state for many religious communities, particularly Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Adivasis, and Dalits. Today USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava joins us to discuss the growing climate of intolerance toward non-Hindus in India. Read USCIRF’s <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/2022%20India.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2022 Annual Report Chapter on India</a> With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFAnurima Bhargava, Commissioner, USCIRF Gabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRFNiala Mohammad, Senior Policy Analyst, USCIRF

Anti-Conversion Laws and Growing Intolerance in India

Welcome to a new weekly podcast series called “USCIRF Spotlight” hosted by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal advisory body. During each episode, Director of Outreach and Policy Dwight Bashir features a special guest to dive deeper on various topics and breaking developments that impact the universal right to freedom of religion or belief around the globe.

On April 25, 2022, USCIRF released its 2022 Annual Report, which documents developments in international religious freedom from 2021. The report provides recommendations to enhance the U.S. government’s promotion of freedom of religion or belief abroad. This year’s report highlights significant regress in countries such as Afghanistan and the Central African Republic (CAR). The report also notes USCIRF recommendations implemented by the U.S. government—including the designation of Russia as a country of particular concern, the imposition of targeted sanctions on religious freedom violators, and genocide determinations for atrocities perpetrated by the Chinese government against Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims and by the Burmese military against Rohingya Muslims.Today we are joined by USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza to discuss this year’s Annual Report as well as some of her most memorable experiences as a Commissioner as her tenure on the Commission comes to an end. With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFNadine Maenza, Chair, USCIRF Kurt Werthmuller, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

On April 25, 2022, USCIRF released its <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/2022%20USCIRF%20Annual%20Report_1.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2022 Annual Report</a>, which documents developments in international religious freedom from 2021. The report provides recommendations to enhance the U.S. government’s promotion of freedom of religion or belief abroad. This year’s report highlights significant regress in countries such as Afghanistan and the Central African Republic (CAR). The report also notes USCIRF recommendations implemented by the U.S. government—including the designation of Russia as a country of particular concern, the imposition of targeted sanctions on religious freedom violators, and genocide determinations for atrocities perpetrated by the Chinese government against Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims and by the Burmese military against Rohingya Muslims. Today we are joined by USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza to discuss this year’s Annual Report as well as some of her most memorable experiences as a Commissioner as her tenure on the Commission comes to an end. With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFNadine Maenza, Chair, USCIRF Kurt Werthmuller, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

USCIRF Releases 2022 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy

According to the Pew Research Center’s most recent global data, Christianity’s diverse set of traditions comprise the single largest religious group on earth, of some 2.3 billion people—or nearly a third of the world’s population. Yet, it has been plainly evident throughout our reporting at USCIRF that many Christian communities around the world face a wide range of hardships for practicing their faith: from social marginalization to governmental harassment to imprisonment to mob violence and even death.Isaac Six, Director of Advocacy for Open Doors USA—an NGO that advocates on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world—joins us today to explain where Christians face the most severe persecution, and the conditions these believers endure. Read USCIRF’s latest op-ed on Global Christian Persecution in USA TodayWith Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFIsaac Six, Director of Advocacy, Open Doors USAKurt Werthmuller, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

According to the Pew Research Center’s <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/05/christians-remain-worlds-largest-religious-group-but-they-are-declining-in-europe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">most recent global data</a>, Christianity’s diverse set of traditions comprise the single largest religious group on earth, of some 2.3 billion people—or nearly a third of the world’s population. Yet, it has been plainly evident throughout our reporting at USCIRF that many Christian communities around the world face a wide range of hardships for practicing their faith: from social marginalization to governmental harassment to imprisonment to mob violence and even death. Isaac Six, Director of Advocacy for Open Doors USA—an NGO that advocates on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world—joins us today to explain where Christians face the most severe persecution, and the conditions these believers endure. Read USCIRF’s latest op-ed on Global Christian Persecution in <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/op-eds/usa-today-easter-dont-forget-about-persecuted-christians-around-world" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">USA Today</a> With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFIsaac Six, Director of Advocacy, Open Doors USAKurt Werthmuller, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Persecuted Christians Around the World

Article 18 of both the United Nations Human Rights Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects not only the right to believe in and practice a religion and to change religion, but also the right to hold nontheistic beliefs. Despite these protections, many members of nonreligious communities’ face government repression, social intolerance, restrictions on freedom of thought, belief and expression, and pervasive discrimination because of their lack of religion or absence of belief in a God.Rachel Deitch, Director of Policy and Social Justice with the American Humanist Association joins us to discuss conditions of non-religious communities around the world.Read USCIRF’s Factsheet on Nonbelievers in AfricaWith Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFRachel Deitch, Director of Policy and Social Justice, American Humanist AssociationKirsten Lavery, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Article 18 of both the United Nations Human Rights Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects not only the right to believe in and practice a religion and to change religion, but also the right to hold nontheistic beliefs. Despite these protections, many members of nonreligious communities’ face government repression, social intolerance, restrictions on freedom of thought, belief and expression, and pervasive discrimination because of their lack of religion or absence of belief in a God. Rachel Deitch, Director of Policy and Social Justice with the American Humanist Association joins us to discuss conditions of non-religious communities around the world. Read USCIRF’s <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/2021%20Factsheet%20-%20Nonbelievers.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Factsheet on Nonbelievers in Africa</a> With Contributions from: Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFRachel Deitch, Director of Policy and Social Justice, American Humanist AssociationKirsten Lavery, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Nontheists Facing Challenges to Freedom of Belief

The Rohingya community in Burma have been targeted by the Burmese military (known as the Tatmadaw) with mass killings and rape since 2017, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee the country. Since the military coup in February 2021, the Tatmadaw have employed similar tactics used on the Rohingya against all ethnic and religious communities, as we have noted in past Spotlight episodes. The coup has increased concern among the international community to pursue efforts of justice and accountability for the ongoing abuses against the Rohingya, which U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken officially determined as genocide and crimes against humanity on March 21, 2022.USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava joins us today to elaborate on what the genocide determination means going forward, and on ongoing accountability processes.With Contributions from:Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFAnurima Bhargava, Commissioner, USCIRFKirsten Lavery, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFPatrick Greenwalt, Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

The Rohingya community in Burma have been targeted by the Burmese military (known as the Tatmadaw) with mass killings and rape since 2017, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee the country. Since the military coup in February 2021, the Tatmadaw have employed similar tactics used on the Rohingya against all ethnic and religious communities, as we have noted in past <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/uscirf-spotlight-podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spotlight episodes</a>. The coup has increased concern among the international community to pursue efforts of justice and accountability for the ongoing abuses against the Rohingya, which U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken officially determined as genocide and crimes against humanity on March 21, 2022. USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava joins us today to elaborate on what the genocide determination means going forward, and on ongoing accountability processes. With Contributions from:Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRFAnurima Bhargava, Commissioner, USCIRFKirsten Lavery, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRFPatrick Greenwalt, Policy Analyst, USCIRFGabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF

Rohingya Genocide Determination and Accountability

Founded in 19th century Persia—present day Iran—the Baha’i faith is the second most widespread religion in the world and has communities in most territories and countries across the globe. However, several governments in the Middle East and North Africa region engage in systematic oppression of Baha’is. Iran, Yemen, Qatar, and Tunisia are some of the countries where the situation for the Baha’i community is particularly challenging.Anthony Vance, Director of the Office of Public Affairs for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States, joins us today to tell us about the core beliefs of the Baha’is faith and elaborate on religious freedom conditions for Baha’is in the Middle East.With Contributions from:Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF (writer and host)Anthony Vance, Director of the Office of Public Affairs, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais (guest)Scott Weiner, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRF (contributing writer)Gabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF (sound design and audio production)

Founded in 19th century Persia—present day Iran—the Baha’i faith is the second most widespread religion in the world and has communities in most territories and countries across the globe. However, several governments in the Middle East and North Africa region engage in systematic oppression of Baha’is. Iran, Yemen, Qatar, and Tunisia are some of the countries where the situation for the Baha’i community is particularly challenging. Anthony Vance, Director of the Office of Public Affairs for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States, joins us today to tell us about the core beliefs of the Baha’is faith and elaborate on religious freedom conditions for Baha’is in the Middle East. With Contributions from:Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF (writer and host)Anthony Vance, Director of the Office of Public Affairs, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais (guest)Scott Weiner, Supervisory Policy Analyst, USCIRF (contributing writer)Gabrielle Hasenstab, Communications Specialist, USCIRF (sound design and audio production)

The Status of Religious Freedom for the Baha’i Community

*Special note: This podcast was recorded on March 8, 2022 and only reflects the events that have occurred up to this date* The Russian government has long used religious freedom violations in its efforts to discourage non-conformity and facilitate its brutal occupation of Crimea and the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine. In 2016, the government adopted a series of legal reforms that enhanced the scope and penalties of religion and anti-extremism laws. These legal reforms also increased State jurisdiction over monitoring private electronic communications for the purpose of rooting out extremists and missionaries in Russia.Russia’s religious regulation framework has been used to target Jehovah’s Witnesses, Crimean Tatar Muslims, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and other groups that are seen as posing a threat to the State’s authority. What does this mean for the rest of Ukraine now that it’s under attack from Russia? USCIRF Senior Policy Analyst Jason Morton joins us to explain.Check out our other podcast on this topic: “Implications of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Part 1: The ‘Denazification’ Narrative”Read USCIRF's report on The Global Persecution of Jehovah’s WitnessesRead USCIRF report on The Anti-cult Movement and Religious Regulation in Russia and the Former Soviet UnionRead USCIRF's report on Religious Freedom Violations in the Republic of Chechnya

*Special note: This podcast was recorded on March 8, 2022 and only reflects the events that have occurred up to this date* The Russian government has long used religious freedom violations in its efforts to discourage non-conformity and facilitate its brutal occupation of Crimea and the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine. In 2016, the government adopted a series of legal reforms that enhanced the scope and penalties of religion and anti-extremism laws. These legal reforms also increased State jurisdiction over monitoring private electronic communications for the purpose of rooting out extremists and missionaries in Russia. Russia’s religious regulation framework has been used to target Jehovah’s Witnesses, Crimean Tatar Muslims, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and other groups that are seen as posing a threat to the State’s authority. What does this mean for the rest of Ukraine now that it’s under attack from Russia? USCIRF Senior Policy Analyst Jason Morton joins us to explain. Check out our other podcast on this topic: “<a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/uscirf-spotlight/religious-implications-russias-invasion-ukraine-part-1-denazification" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Implications of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Part 1: The ‘Denazification’ Narrative</a>”Read USCIRF's report on <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2020%20Issue%20Update%20-%20Jehovahs%20Witnesses.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses</a>Read USCIRF report on <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2020%20Anti-Cult%20Update%20-%20Religious%20Regulation%20in%20Russia.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Anti-cult Movement and Religious Regulation in Russia and the Former Soviet Union</a>Read USCIRF's report on <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2021-10/2021%20Chechnya%20Issue%20Update.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Religious Freedom Violations in the Republic of Chechnya</a>

Implications of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Part 2: The Religious Regulation Framework

*Special note: This podcast was recorded on March 3, 2022 and only reflects the events that have occurred up to this date*  The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has shocked the world and created a humanitarian crisis with profound effects for the region and beyond. Among the reasons Russian President Vladimir Putin has listed to justify this invasion is that the operation will “seek to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine.” Putin’s accusation that there is evidence of modern Nazism in the form of antisemitism in Ukraine is not only patently false, but also has religious implications that pose grave concerns.USCIRF has documented the decline of religious freedom in Russia and warned about Russia’s use of religious freedom violations to suppress dissent and terrorize the population in occupied-Crimea and the Donbas.Bernard-Henri Levy, noted French philosopher, commentator, and writer has spent decades reporting on human rights abuses and conflict around the globe. He joins us today to discuss the intersection of religious freedom with this ongoing, brutal invasion. Read USCIRF report on The Anti-cult Movement and Religious Regulation in Russia and the Former Soviet UnionRead USCIRF's report on Religious Freedom Violations in the Republic of Chechnya

*Special note: This podcast was recorded on March 3, 2022 and only reflects the events that have occurred up to this date* The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has shocked the world and created a humanitarian crisis with profound effects for the region and beyond. Among the reasons Russian President Vladimir Putin has listed to justify this invasion is that the operation will “seek to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine.” Putin’s accusation that there is evidence of modern Nazism in the form of antisemitism in Ukraine is not only patently false, but also has religious implications that pose grave concerns. USCIRF has documented the decline of religious freedom in Russia and warned about Russia’s use of religious freedom violations to suppress dissent and terrorize the population in occupied-Crimea and the Donbas. Bernard-Henri Levy, noted French philosopher, commentator, and writer has spent decades reporting on human rights abuses and conflict around the globe. He joins us today to discuss the intersection of religious freedom with this ongoing, brutal invasion.  Read USCIRF report on <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2020%20Anti-Cult%20Update%20-%20Religious%20Regulation%20in%20Russia.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Anti-cult Movement and Religious Regulation in Russia and the Former Soviet Union</a>Read USCIRF's report on <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2021-10/2021%20Chechnya%20Issue%20Update.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Religious Freedom Violations in the Republic of Chechnya</a>

Implications of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Part 1: The “Denazification” Narrative

Many of the religious communities that call Iraq home have suffered from conflict and displacement in recent decades. The civil war in Iraq in the 2000s led large numbers of Christians and other small religious groups to flee the country. Between 2014 and 2019, many religious communities in the north suffered horrifying atrocities under ISIS—including what the United States in 2016 formally declared as a genocide against Yazidis, Christians, and Shi’a Muslims.Today we are joined by USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza and Jeremy Barker, Senior Program Officer and Director of the Middle East Action Team for the Religious Freedom Institute. Our discussion focuses on the current state of religious freedom in Iraq; in particular, for Iraq’s beleaguered religious minority communities. 

Many of the religious communities that call Iraq home have suffered from conflict and displacement in recent decades. The civil war in Iraq in the 2000s led large numbers of Christians and other small religious groups to flee the country. Between 2014 and 2019, many religious communities in the north suffered horrifying atrocities under ISIS—including what the United States in 2016 formally declared as a genocide against Yazidis, Christians, and Shi’a Muslims. Today we are joined by USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza and Jeremy Barker, Senior Program Officer and Director of the Middle East Action Team for the Religious Freedom Institute. Our discussion focuses on the current state of religious freedom in Iraq; in particular, for Iraq’s beleaguered religious minority communities.

Iraq’s Beleaguered Religious Minority Communities

Several Western governments joined the U.S. in diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics amid the outcry over China’s human rights and religious freedom abuses. Nevertheless, the lack of international solidarity on this issue is apparent. The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has been noticeably muted on the issue. Several U.S. companies like Coca-Cola, Airbnb, Visa, and Procter &amp; Gamble that are major sponsors of the Winter Games have refused to acknowledge the atrocities against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang.In today’s conversation, we explore the disconnect between the severity of China’s human rights and religious freedom abuses, and the international action to address them. We are joined by USCIRF Vice Chair Nury Turkel and Naomi Kikoler, Director of the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Several Western governments joined the U.S. in diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics amid the outcry over China’s human rights and religious freedom abuses. Nevertheless, the lack of international solidarity on this issue is apparent. The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has been noticeably muted on the issue. Several U.S. companies like Coca-Cola, Airbnb, Visa, and Procter &amp; Gamble that are major sponsors of the Winter Games have refused to acknowledge the atrocities against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang. In today’s conversation, we explore the disconnect between the severity of China’s human rights and religious freedom abuses, and the international action to address them. We are joined by USCIRF Vice Chair Nury Turkel and Naomi Kikoler, Director of the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The Grim Backdrop to the Beijing Olympics

The government of Nicaragua, under the leadership of President Daniel Ortega, has a history of persecuting Catholic clergy, worshipers, and organizations as well as Protestant institutions especially since religious leaders provided sanctuary and support to civic protesters in 2018. The runup to Nicaragua’s general elections in November 2021 provided yet another backdrop for religious freedom violations committed by the government. The State Department has placed Nicaragua on its Special Watch List of severe religious freedom violators since 2019, which USCIRF has also recommended and highlighted in its 2021 Annual Report (also available in Spanish).Christopher Ljungquist, Adviser for Latin America in the Office of International Justice and Peace at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, joins us today to discuss religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua.

The government of Nicaragua, under the leadership of President Daniel Ortega, has a history of persecuting Catholic clergy, worshipers, and organizations as well as Protestant institutions especially since religious leaders provided sanctuary and support to civic protesters in 2018. The runup to Nicaragua’s general elections in November 2021 provided yet another backdrop for religious freedom violations committed by the government. The State Department has placed Nicaragua on its Special Watch List of severe religious freedom violators since 2019, which USCIRF has also recommended and highlighted in its <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2021-05/Nicaragua%20Chapter%20AR2021.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2021 Annual Report</a> (also available in <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2021-05/Nicaragua%202021_SWL_Spanish.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spanish</a>). Christopher Ljungquist, Adviser for Latin America in the Office of International Justice and Peace at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, joins us today to discuss religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua’s Assault on Religious Freedom

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