Jun 28, 2021

USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Central African Republic

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom conditions in Central African Republic (CAR):

CAR Country Update – This country update examines recent progress made and ongoing challenges in CAR. Due to peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts, sectarian violence and religious targeting reduced in CAR in 2020. However, Central African religious minorities continue to face ongoing persecution, including discrimination based on religious identity. Moreover, renewed post-election violence in 2021 has the potential to trigger backsliding of religious freedom gains in this fragile context.

For the first time since 2015, USCIRF did not recommend to the U.S. Department of State that CAR be designated as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) or placed on its “Special Watch List” (SWL) in its 2021 Annual Report. However, the Commission continues to monitor religious freedom concerns in the country.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].