Nov 28, 2023
USCIRF Releases Report on National Level Anti-Conversion Laws around the World
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Compendium of National Anti-Conversion Laws – This report documents the text of the 73 national anti-conversion laws on the books around the world. In total, 46 countries have at least one national anti-conversion law in force. Four types of national anti-conversion laws are documented: anti-proselytism laws, interfaith marriage laws, apostasy laws, and identity documentation laws. The report explains how each type violates international human rights law by restricting an individual’s freedom to leave or change their religion. The report also provides a global and regional analysis of national anti-conversion laws that highlights similarities among them.
This report builds upon USCIRF’s recent publications on India’s State-Level Anti-Conversion Laws and Blasphemy and Related Laws in ASEAN Member Countries. USCIRF also recently released a Blasphemy Law Compendium and a Legislation Factsheet on Blasphemy.
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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]
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing
Religious Minorities and Governance in Iraq
Thursday, December 7, 2023
10:30 am – 12:00 pm ET
Virtual
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing that examined current conditions in Iraq affecting freedom of religion or belief, under both the Iraqi federal government (IFG) and the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The hearing also identified ways the U.S. government can work with the IFG and the KRG to address religious freedom concerns, especially for the country’s vulnerable religious minorities.
Despite the diminished presence of the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), religious freedom for all Iraqis remains precarious in the face of recent political instability and religious division; the increasing power of government-affiliated militias and other armed groups; and the continued displacement and political disenfranchisement of vulnerable religious minorities, including those ISIS targeted for genocide in 2014.
Witnesses discussed the status of religious freedom and related official and civil society initiatives throughout Iraq, and made recommendations for how U.S. government policy can support efforts to ensure freedom of religion or belief for all Iraqis.
Pre-Recorded Remarks
Panel
This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. Members of the media should register online and can email [email protected] for any questions or to schedule an interview. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please contact [email protected].
Additional Name(s): رضا رسایی
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Ethnic Group: Kurd
Religion or Belief: Yarsani
Reports of Torture: Yes
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: Death
Date of Detainment: November//2022
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems Women’s Rights
Nature of Charges: Murder & Attempted Murder
Reza Rasaei is imprisoned and sentenced to death for protesting religious freedom conditions.
In November 2022, Iranian security forces arrested Rasaei, a Yarsani adherant, in Karaj after falsely accusing him of killing a security officer at a ceremony commemorating the death of a prominent Yarsani religious figure. He was later transferred to Dizel Abad Prison in Kermanshah following interrogation by intelligence authorities. Rasaei was reportedly charged with "killing a government agent" among other charges. While in detention Rasaei was allegedly severely tortured and forced to confess to build a legal case against him. Rasaei's arrest came amid a crackdown on protestors, civil society, and former political prisoners following nationwide protests against the killing of Mahsa Amini and the compulsory hijab law.
In October 2023, it was reported that the Second Branch of the Kermanshah Criminal Court had sentenced Rasaei to death.
In December 2023, it was reported that the Supreme Court upheld Rasaei's sentence.
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Supreme Court of Iran Upholds Death Sentence for Reza Rasaei" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"The Death Sentence for a Kurdish “Yarsan” adherent has been confirmed by the Supreme Court in Iran" Hengaw Organization for Human Rights
"رضا رسایی؛ یک پرونده مبهم در ارتباط با مرگ مامور اطلاعات سپاه" IranWire
"کرمانشاه؛ رضا رسایی، به اعدام محکوم شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
ARAM Iran, Tweet, October 13, 2023
"Kurdish Protester and “Yarsan” adherent was sentenced to death by Iranian judiciary" Hengaw Organization for Human Rights