For Your Information

December 6, 2012| By Katrina Lantos Swett and M. Zuhdi Jasser

The following op-ed appearned in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on December 6, 2012. 

Starting on Saturday evening, Dec. 8, Jews in Pittsburgh and across the world will be lighting Hanukkah menorahs, invoking a story that, while rooted in Jewish history, inspires all who treasure liberty.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 3, 2012| By USCIRF

Marton Gyongyosi, a Hungarian politician from the far-right Jobbik party,  on November 26 issued a statement in Parliament urging the government to create a list of Jews who pose a “national security risk.” Gyongyosi serves as the leader of Jobbik, which is the third largest party in the Hungarian parliament with 44 of the 386 seats.  The Hungarian government condemned the remarks.

For Your Information

November 26, 2012| By Katrina Lantos Swett

The following op-ed appeared in the Boston Herald on November 22, 2012. 

Thanksgiving Day and the first feast of the Pilgrims remind us of their brave journey across the Atlantic in search of the freedom to honor their religious convictions according to their conscience.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2012 | By USCIRF

USCIRF today welcomes a Pakistani court’s decision to drop all charges against Rimsha Masih, a young Christian girl accused of blasphemy, and applauds the successful efforts of Paul Bhatti, the Adviser on National Harmony to the Pakistani Prime Minister.  The Islamabad High Court reportedly dropped the charges because there were no witnesses who had seen her burning pages of the Qur'an.  The Zardari government now has an opportunity to build on this positive outcome and address the culture of impunity and intolerance that is plaguing Pakistan. 

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent the following letter to President Obama on November 14, 2012. 

The President 

The White House 

Washington, DC 20500 

Dear Mr. President:   

On behalf of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), allow me to wish you a safe and productive visit to East Asia this week.  During your historic trip to Burma, we respectfully urge you to raise issues of religious freedom and the abuses that continue to arise from ongoing ethnic and communal violence, particularly in the Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan states of Burma.  

For Your Information

November 13, 2012| By Katrina Lantos Swett

The following op-ed appeared on Al.com (By Special to The Birmingham News) on November 10, 2012. 

We observe Veterans Day Monday and honor our fellow Americans who have bravely defended our freedoms and kept us safe and secure.