October 29, 2011 | by Commissioners Leonard Leo and Don Argue

Whether or not Iran's top leaders were aware of the recent alleged plot to assassinate a Saudi diplomat in Washington, one thing is clear: They are fully aware of and complicit in severely violating the rights of their own people at home, including the right to religious freedom. They are responsible and must be held accountable.

October 11, 2011 | by USCIRF

WASHINGTON, DC - In response to deadly violence in Egypt on Sunday, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls for a thorough, impartial, and independent investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice in civilian courts and that Egyptian military forces are held accountable for reportedly using excessive force. USCIRF also calls for a portion of U.S. aid to be allocated to the Egyptian government to provide heightened security for religious minority communities.

"USCIRF condemns in the strongest possible terms violence that targeted peaceful protestors, primarily Coptic Orthodox Christians and those Muslims who joined the demonstrations. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families,” said USCIRF chair Leonard Leo .

"The most recent attack clearly demonstrates the ongoing problem of unchecked violence directed against a religious minority. This violence, if unaddressed, threatens the stability of Egyptian society and the future of that nation. USCIRF urges the U.S. government to vigorously press for a prompt and impartial investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, something that has been elusive in Egypt in previous attacks on religious minorities.

"With parliamentary elections mere weeks away, the Egyptian government must promptly investigate, prosecute those responsible, and deter any future attacks. The government must ensure that this violence does not signal a decisive turning point away from the potential of a democratic future for Egypt,” said Leo.

At least 26 people were killed, mostly Coptic Orthodox Christians, and several hundred injured in downtown Cairo after counter-revolutionary elements confronted and attacked peaceful protestors. The demonstrators were marching to the state television station to protest the September 30 destruction of a church in Aswan, Upper Egypt when armed men attacked them. Responding to the violence, Egyptian military forces reportedly used live ammunition and excessive force, including armored vehicles that deliberately crushed and killed at least six of the protestors. Dozens of people have been detained in connection with the violence and the chairman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, the de facto head of the Egyptian government, has asked the prime minister to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident.

"USCIRF welcomed the White House statement yesterday condemning the violence and calling for restraint on all sides,"” said Leo. "However, more can and must be done. In response to the continued pattern of violence with impunity, USCIRF urges the U.S. government to direct a portion of its $1.3 billion in military aid toward heightened security for religious minority communities and their places of congregation and worship, particularly Coptic Christians, Sufi Muslims, and Jews,” said Leo.

Earlier this year, USCIRF recommended for the first time that Egypt be designated a "country of particular concern,” or CPC, for engaging in and tolerating egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief. While religious freedom conditions in Egypt had been deteriorating during the last years of the Mubarak regime, since Mubarak's ouster on February 11, conditions have further deteriorated. Attacks on minorities, including by Islamist militants imposing extra-judicial punishments, have risen and resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.

October 6, 2011 | by USCIRF

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemned the continued imprisonment of dissident Iranian Shi'a cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Kazemeni Boroujerdi, who, almost five years to the day of his arrest, reportedly suffered a heart attack a few days ago.

"Ayatollah"s Boroujerdi's already-poor health has deteriorated and prison authorities continue to deny him access to medical care outside the prison facility where he is held,” said USCIRF chair Leonard Leo . "Pure and simple, this man, who has suffered from a serious heart condition and other physical ailments, has been unjustly detained and treated cruelly and harshly because his views differ from those of the Islamic Republic's leadership,” said Leo.

In October 2006, Ayatollah Boroujerdi, who advocates the separation of religion and state and has spoken out on behalf of the rights of Iran's religious minorities as well as those of its Shi'a Muslim majority, was arrested and imprisoned without charge. He and 17 of his followers initially were tried by a special court with jurisdiction over Shi'a clerics, and sentenced to death on spurious charges, including "enmity against God” and spreading propaganda against the regime. After an appeal, the death sentence was withdrawn and Ayatollah Boroujerdi was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Ayatollah Boroujerdi currently is serving his prison term, and the government has banned him from practicing his clerical duties and confiscated his home and belongings. Ayatollah Boroujerdi's supporters claim that he has suffered physical and mental abuse while in prison.

The Special Court for the Clergy, which is under the juridiction of the Supreme Leader and operates outside the confines of the Iranian judiciary, tries members of the Shi'a religious establishment in Iran. According to human rights groups, the court's procedures fall far short of international standards. Not only are proceedings held behind closed doors, but defendants can be represented only by clergymen nominated by the court and they are not required to possess any legal credentials.

"Ayatollah Boroujerdi is a dissident cleric who has a long record of speaking out in defense of the universal rights of all Iranian citizens, including religious minorities,” said USCIRF Chair Leo. "The United States and the international community should call for his immediate and unconditional release, especially given news of his deteriorating health,” said Leo.