Feb 06

WHEN:

Feb 6th 1:30pm

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom 

Standing with the Silenced – Leveraging the Frank Wolf Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List

Thursday, February 6, 2025
1:30-3:00 pm ET

Kennedy Caucus Room 
325 Russell Senate Office Building
 

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted an in-person event that spotlighted selected persecuted individuals and communities. In far too many places around the world, officials silence individuals through unjust detention, forced renunciations, and even torture simply due to the victim’s religion or belief. 

USCIRF is mandated by the U.S. Congress, through the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, as amended (IRFA), to maintain a list of victims. The Frank R. Wolf Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List currently has more than 2,300 individuals. 

Speakers included both former prisoners of conscience and those who advocate for them. They reflected on their experiences as victims denied religious freedom and highlight the role advocacy can play in supporting victims and survivors. They also discussed ways to elevate religious freedom as a higher priority in U.S. foreign policy and strengthen the United States’ advocacy on behalf of individuals persecuted in foreign countries on account of their religion or belief.  

Opening Remarks 

  • Stephen Schneck, Chair, USCIRF 

Remarks from Former Religious Prisoners of Conscience 
Introductory Remarks from Commissioner Vicky Hartzler, USCIRF 

  • Bob Fu - China 

  • Liza Khalil - Ukraine 

  • Kola Alapinni - Nigeria, Legal Representative of Mubarak Bala 

  • Mashal Naseem - Pakistan, daughter of Tahir Ahmad Naseem 

  • Maung Sawyeddollah - Burma 

  • Keyvan Ghareri - Yemen 

  • Negede Teklemariam - Eritrea 

Panel 

Moderated by Commissioner Maureen Ferguson, Commissioner, USCIRF

  • Fernanda San Martín Carrasco, Director, International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFORB)

  • David Burrowes, Adviser to Chair, International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA)

This event 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].