How Does USCIRF Defend Religious Freedom Abroad

1. What is the U. S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and how was it created?

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. USCIRF uses international standards to monitor religious freedom violations globally, and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress.

2. Who is on the Commission and how are Commissioners selected?

USCIRF is comprised of nine private sector commissioners who volunteer their time to support USCIRF’s mandate. IRFA mandates that three Commissioners are selected by the President, two by the leaders of the President’s party in Congress, and four by the congressional leaders of the party not in the White House. Commissioners are appointed for two year terms, and are eligible for one additional term. According to IRFA, Commissioners are “selected among distinguished individuals noted for their knowledge and experience in fields relevant to the issue of international religious freedom, including foreign affairs, direct experience abroad, human rights, and international law.”

Learn more about the current Commissioners.

3. What is the difference between USCIRF and the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom?

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency. It makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress through its Annual Report. USCIRF provides rigorous analysis of country issues and developing trends to inform decision makers through various activities, including convening hearings. It also tracks implementation of policy recommendations.

The State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom is part of the Executive Branch and uses diplomacy to empower likeminded governments, train U.S. diplomats, engage religious actors, and implement consequences for abusers to advance religious freedom for all. The State Department's also issues an annual report which documents religious freedom conditions and incidents in every country in the world.

USCIRF and the Office of International Religious Freedom were both established by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

4. How does USCIRF define violations of religious freedom and is USCIRF trying to impose American values or the American conception of separation of church and state on other countries?

USCIRF analyzes religious freedom through the lens of international human rights standards, such as those found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that “everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest this religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” As specified in IRFA, USCIRF examines the actions of foreign governments against these universal standards and by their freely undertaken international commitments.

5. What are Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs) and which countries has USCIRF recommended for CPC designation?

The International Religious Freedom Act requires the President, who has delegated this function to the Secretary of State, to designate countries that commit systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom as “Countries of Particular Concern” or CPCs. Pursuant to IRFA, USCIRF recommends countries that, based on its analysis, meet the CPC threshold and should be so designated.

For countries designated by the Secretary of State as CPCs, IRFA provides a range of policy options (referred to as Presidential actions) to address serious violations of religious freedom, which can be waived by the President of the United States.

For the latest CPC recommendations, review the current annual report.

6. What is the Special Watch List (SWL) and which countries are included on this list?

In addition to recommending countries for CPC designation, USCIRF also recommends countries to be added to the State Department's Special Watch List (SWL). The SWL is for countries whose governments engage or tolerate in severe religious freedom violations, but do not rise to the CPC standard of “systematic, ongoing, and egregious.” Violations in SWL countries must meet two of those three criteria. In previous annual reports, USCIRF used the lesser Tier 2 standard, which only required one of those three criteria.

For the latest SWL recommendations, review the current annual report.

7. What are some recent USCIRF activities?

In recent years, USCIRF’s activities have included visits to 24 countries; testifying at Congressional hearings; and supporting and addressing the concerns of a broad range of religious communities around the world. Some of USCIRF’s activities include:

Issuing an Annual Report: Pursuant to its congressional mandate, USCIRF releases an Annual Report , available in hard copy and on this website, which reports on religious freedom conditions in selected countries and formulates policy recommendations for the Administration and Congress.
Recommending “Countries of Particular Concern:” USCIRF recommends countries the Secretary of State should designate as “Countries of Particular Concern” under IRFA for engaging in or tolerating “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.” When a country is designated a “Country of Particular Concern,” the President is required by law to take one of several actions, including economic sanctions, or a waiver of action.
Designating "Special Watch List" Countries: USCIRF maintains a list of countries to recommend for the State Department's "Special Watch List" (SWL). The SWL is for countries whose governments engage or tolerate in severe religious freedom violations, but do not rise to the CPC standard of “systematic, ongoing, and egregious.” Violations in SWL countries must meet two of those three criteria. In previous annual reports, USCIRF used the lesser Tier 2 standard, which only required one of those three criteria.
Monitoring other Countries: USCIRF monitors religious freedom conditions in countries other than those recommended for CPC or SWL designation, or who have been recommended in the past. For example, USCIRF monitors antisemitism globally.
Traveling Abroad: USCIRF has visited countries throughout the world to examine religious freedom conditions firsthand and develop more specific policy recommendations for U.S. action. Commissioners have met with heads of state, ministers, other senior government officials, representatives of human rights and other nongovernmental organizations, religious leaders, victims of religious intolerance, and others.
Testifying before Congress and Working with Congressional Offices: USCIRF has testified at Congressional hearings on numerous subjects including protecting international religious freedom; Iran’s human rights record under President Rouhani; prisoners of conscience; the persecution of Uighurs in China; and the “defamation of religions” resolutions in the United Nations. USCIRF Commissioners and staff also regularly meet with Members of Congress and their staffs, and the Commission serves as a resource for many Congressional offices.
Engaging Internationally and Multilaterally: USCIRF participates in multilateral meetings related to religious freedom including at the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Europe. USCIRF’s work in this area has focused particularly on the problematic “defamation of religions” resolutions at the UN and multilateral efforts to combat xenophobia and related intolerance in the OSCE region. In addition, USCIRF has participated in the Third Istanbul Process meeting on Resolution 16/18, and has met with officials from the European Union, the Council of Europe, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union.
Highlighting Religious Freedom Issues through the Media: USCIRF issues statements and press releases on a wide range of issues.
Issuing Reports: Other than the Annual Report, USCIRF publishes special reports on religious freedom topics. Some recent USCIRF reports include: Antisemitism in Europe, the Impact of Shari'a on LGBTI Persons, and Santeria in Cuba. Find all USCIRF reports at the Publications section of our website.

8. Which individuals and groups are the focus of USCIRF's work and advocacy?

USCIRF works to uphold the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief for all. USCIRF focuses on a diverse array of religious and nonbeliever communities around the world, including: Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong, and Christians in China; Rohingya Muslims in Burma; Baha'is, Jews and Sunni Muslims in Iran; Muslims and Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia; Sufis, Atheists, and Christians in Nigeria; Shi’a Muslims, Christians, Ahmadis, and Hindus in Pakistan; Muslims and Christians in India; Shi’a Muslims, Atheists, and Hindus in Indonesia and Malaysia; Christians, Mandaeans, and Yazidis in Iraq; Sikhs and Shi’a Muslims in Afghanistan, and many more.

9. How does USCIRF obtain information about violations of religious freedom abroad?

USCIRF obtains information about violations of religious freedom abroad in multiple ways, including visiting selected countries in order to observe facts on the ground, meeting regularly with foreign officials, religious leaders and groups, victims of religious intolerance, and representatives of civil society, nongovernmental organizations, government agencies, and national and international organizations, and keeping abreast of credible news reports.

10. How can you contact USCIRF?

For more information, contact USCIRF at [email protected].

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom

732 North Capitol Street, N.W.

Suite A714

Washington, D.C. 20401

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