USCIRF to Announce Recommendations to Secretary of State on Countries of Particular Concern, Release Annual Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2007

Contact:
Judith Ingram, Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240, ext. 127
cell (202) 375-3787

-EVENT ADVISORY-

USCIRF to Announce Recommendations to Secretary of State on Countries of Particular Concern, Release Annual Report

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) will announce its 2007 recommendations to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for "countries of particular concern" at an on-the-record press conference in the Holman Lounge of the National Press Club on May 2, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.

The Commission will also release its 2007 Annual Report and discuss its findings and recommendations for U.S. policy for the President, Secretary of State, and Congress.

The press conference is open to all members of the media, the non-governmental, faith-based, and policy communities.Please see below for RSVP information.

The Commission is mandated by Congress to make recommendations to the Secretary of State on countries whose governments have engaged in or tolerated systematic and egregious violations of the universal right to freedom of religion or belief. Under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), those countries may be designated by the Secretary of State as "countries of particular concern," or CPCs. IRFA also requires that the U.S. government follow CPC designation with policy action.

In addition to announcing CPCs, the Commission will announce its Watch List of countries that require close monitoring due to the nature and extent of violations of religious freedom engaged in or tolerated by the governments.

What:USCIRF Recommendations for Countries of Particular Concern Designation and Annual Report press conference

When:Wednesday, May 2, 2007, 9:30 a.m.

Where:National Press Club
529 14th Street NW (14th and F streets)
Holman Lounge
Washington, DC 20045

RSVP: [email protected] or (202) 523-3240, x135

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.