FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2011

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed concern that Greek Orthodox Christians were refused the right to celebrate a Christmas Liturgy service in the village of Rizokarpaso, in the area of the Republic of Cyprus under the control of Turkish troops and administered by Turkish Cypriot authorities.  Turkish Cypriot police entered the Church of Saint Sinesios and demanded that worship activities cease because the local Turkish Cypriot authorities had not granted the congregation permission for the service.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2010

Washington, DC - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed grave concern over the latest outbreak of sectarian religious violence in Nigeria and renewed its call for the Nigerian government to investigate, prosecute, and punish such crimes and those responsible for them.  The recent violence included the Christmas Eve attacks on churches in the city of Maiduguri apparently by Muslim militants from the extremist organization Boko Haram, killing a pastor and others in the vicinity of churches, as well as bombings in a crowded marketplace in the city of Jos, which killed 32 people, while injuring at least seventy.  These latest assaults were followed by what appeared to be retributive violence in Jos which raised the death toll higher. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2010
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. commission on International Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the continued decline in support in the UN General Assembly for this year’s “defamation of religions” resolution.  The vote Tuesday was 79 yes, 67 no, and 40 abstentions, down from 80-61-42 in December of last year.

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December 16, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned the terrorist attack of December 14 against worshippers at a mosque in Chabahar, Iran, and similar attacks in Iraq, on the eve of the Shia Muslim festival of Ashura and called on governments in the region to be especially vigilant in protecting all religious worship during this holiday season.

For Immediate Release
December 14, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC - In advance of the December 15 UN Security Council meeting on Iraq, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged the U.S. government to redouble its efforts, and use the international forum as an opportunity, to address the grave situation facing that country’s Christians and other imperiled religious minorities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged the United States, the international community, and Sudanese parties to ensure that the January 9, 2011 referendum on self-determination for Southern Sudan is held on time and in a secure and credible manner.

Following are details of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Crapa Fellows Forum.

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November 18, 2010

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed concern today that incitement to violence in Egyptian media and government-funded mosques is contributing to increasing sectarian tensions between Muslims and Christians in advance of parliamentary elections scheduled for later this month.

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November 18, 2010

 
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the detention of human rights lawyer Cu Huy Ha Vu.

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November 18, 2010

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged UN delegations to vote against the draft resolution sponsored by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on combating the so-called “defamation of religions,” recently modified to refer instead to the “vilification of religions.”  A preliminary vote in the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee is expected on November 22 or 23, and a final vote in the full General Assembly in December.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2010

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the release of the Obama administration’s second International Religious Freedom Report and urges increased U.S. government action to promote freedom of religion or belief.