Jun 15, 2022

USCIRF Welcomes President Joe Biden’s Appointment of Stephen Schneck to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Washington, DC – President Joseph R. Biden announced on June 15, 2022 the appointment of Stephen Schneck to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

USCIRF welcomes Stephen Schneck to the Commission and looks forward to the valuable insight that his years of expertise will bring. USCIRF also expresses sincere gratitude to outgoing Commissioner Khizr Khan for his advocacy on behalf of those persecuted for their religion or belief.

A political philosopher by training, Stephen Schneck retired from The Catholic University of America in 2018, after more than thirty years as a professor, department chair, and dean. At the university he was also the founder and long-time director of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies. He received his doctorate from the University of Notre Dame.

A well-known advocate for Catholic social justice teachings in public life, Schneck currently serves on the governing boards of both Catholic Climate Covenant and Catholic Mobilizing Network. His writings appear regularly in the religious media, and he is a frequent commentator on Catholic matters for national and international news services. Previously, he was the executive director of Franciscan Action Network, which promotes environmental, economic, racial, and social justice on behalf of the Franciscan communities of the United States. He served the administration of President Barack Obama as a member of the White House Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives.

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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].

Additional Name(s): ثمین احسانی

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/15/2022

Date of Release: May/21/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Samin Ehsani

Extra Bio Info:

Samin Ehsani was imprisoned in relation to her religious belief and activity.

In August 2011, authorities arrested Ehsani, a children's rights activist, after she went to court to resolve some passport issues. Security forces reportedly raided her home and confiscated her belongings including her computer and religious materials.

A months later, Ehsani was released on bail. She was reportedly forced to stay in solitary confinement for 11 days. 

There are conflicting reports on the year Ehsani was sentenced. Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Ehsani to five years in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in the heretical Baha’i sect."

On an unspecified date, a Tehran appeals court reportedly upheld Ehsani's sentence. 

On June 15, 2022, security forces reportedly took Ehsani into custody to begin serving her sentence.

In August 2022, it was reported that Ehsani contracted COVID-19 and was being denied proper medical care.

On May 21, 2023, Ehsani was reportedly released from prison after her sentence was converted into an open sentence. She will serve the remainder of her sentence outside of prison on parole.

Sources:

Jun 10, 2022

Iran has gone to great lengths to arrest and detain religious minorities, including Christians, Baha’is, Sunni Muslims, Sufis, and spiritualists. The Iranian government has taken it a step further and also targeted those who peacefully dissent from the government’s preferred religious views, particularly women, nontheists, and members of the LGBTI community. Amid country-wide protests in Iran over the past several weeks over food subsidies, as well as ongoing multilateral talks in Vienna, Iran is once again in the foreign policy spotlight.

USCIRF Supervisory Policy Analyst Scott Weiner with Victims List and Outreach Specialist Dylan Schexnaydre join us today to discuss religious prisoners of conscience in Iran and USCIRF’s Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List.

 

Check out the Freedom of Religion or Belief Victim’s List

Read USCIRF’s Factsheet on Global Overview of Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution

Read USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report Chapter on Iran

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