Jun 27

WHEN:

Jun 27th 1:00pm - Jun 27th 2:00pm

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Briefing

An Unflinching Voice:
USCIRF's Impact on International Religious Freedom

Monday, June 27 at 1:00 pm ET

HVC 201 A&B
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
First St NE, Washington, DC 20515

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Watch Online Live

Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a discussion on USCIRF’s current work and key policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress.
 
We invite you to hear from USCIRF Commissioners and staff to better understand how USCIRF advises and works with Congress and the Administration and learn more about several USCIRF policy recommendations that have been implemented in recent years, including the Department of State’s designation of countries of particular concern, the determination that atrocities committed against the Uyghurs and the Rohingya constitute genocide, and the sanctioning of multiple individuals for perpetrating religious freedom abuses.

In 1998, Congress passed the International Religious Freedom Act, or IRFA, which created USCIRF, an independent legislative branch agency, and prioritized the advancement of international religious freedom within U.S. foreign policy.

Panelists

  • Nury Turkel, Chair, USCIRF
  • Sharon Kleinbaum, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Stephen Schneck, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Eric Ueland, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Frank Wolf, Commissioner, USCIRF
     

This event takes place during the week of the 2022 IRF Summit, and is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. Registration is required by Wednesday, June 22. For any additional questions, please email [email protected].

Jun 16, 2022

USCIRF began monitoring religious freedom conditions in Central African Republic (CAR) in 2013 when the country descended into civil conflict. After seven years of recommending that CAR be designated a country of particular concern, in 2020 USCIRF recommended CAR for Special Watchlist status due to improvements in the situation on the ground—and the next year, in 2021, we no longer recommended CAR for even the Special Watchlist. However, religious freedom conditions in CAR deteriorated in 2021, especially for Muslim minorities, causing USCIRF to return CAR to the list of countries it recommends for Special Watchlist status.

John Lechner, an expert in geopolitics and human rights in Africa who recently returned from CAR, joins us today to discuss religious freedom conditions in the country.

Additional Name(s): عبدالله بصفر

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 12 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August//2020

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Abdullah Basfar

Extra Bio Info:

Abdullah Basfar is imprisoned in relation to his religious activity.

In August 2020, authorities reportedly arrested Basfar, who is an imam, professor, famous Qur’an reciter, and former Secretary-General of the World Book and Sunnah Organization. Basfar’s arrest reportedly came after an old video of him surfaced leading worshipers for prayer in Turkey following the deterioration of Saudi Arabia and Turkey’s diplomatic relations.

In October 2022, it was reported that Basfar had been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Sources:
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