Nov 19

WHEN:

Nov 19th 10:00am

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Addressing Entities of Particular Concern:
 Non-State Actors and Egregious Violations of Religious Freedom

Tuesday, November 19, 2024
10:00-11:30 AM ET
Virtual

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing on the unique challenges that Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs) pose to international religious freedom (IRF) and suggested policies for the U.S. government to implement.

EPCs have been a key element of U.S. IRF policy since the passage of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016, which added the EPC category to the U.S. Department of State’s available IRF designations. This new designation recognizes the persistent and global role of non-state actors in committing religious freedom violations, particularly through violence. However, IRF-focused discourse and policy initiatives often overlook EPCs in favor of addressing a foreign government’s violations of freedom of religion or belief.

With these factors in mind, witnesses discussed some of the ways that non-state actors—including those currently designated as EPCs—carry out violence and other actions that violate the right to religious freedom. They also discussed policy options for the U.S. government to address, anticipate, and impede the capacity of current and future EPCs.

Opening Remarks

  • Stephen Schneck, Chair, USCIRF
  • Vicky Hartzler, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Mohamed Elsanousi, Commissioner, USCIRF

Panel

  • Aaron Zelin, Gloria and Ken Levy Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy
  • Ebenezer Obadare, Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
  • Haris Tarin, Vice President of Policy and Programming, Muslim Public Affairs Council

Witness Biographies

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].