FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2006

Contact:
Angela Stephens, Assistant Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a bipartisan, independent federal agency, has written to Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky to express concern about the dire situation of members of Iraqi religious minority groups that have fled their country, particularly ChaldoAssyrians and Sabean Mandaeans.

"The Commission urges Under Secretary Dobriansky to create new or expand existing options for allowing members of Iraq's ChaldoAssyrian and Sabean Mandaean religious minority communities to access the U.S. refugee program, and to urge UNHCR to resume full refugee status determinations for all Iraqi asylum seekers and assess all claims without delay," said USCIRF Chair Felice D. Gaer. "The United States has not made direct access to the U.S. Refugee Program available to Iraqi religious minorities, taking the position that ChaldoAssyrians and Sabean Mandaeans are subject to generalized violence in Iraq. This position is not supported by the facts."

Iraqi ChaldoAssyrians and Sabean Mandaeans represent approximately 40% of the refugees who have fled Iraq over the past three years, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), although they constitute less than 3% of the Iraqi population. Numbering approximately 500,000, these refugees are dispersed through Jordan, Turkey, Syria and Lebanon.

USCIRF noted in its 2006 Annual Report that "minority communities, including Christian Iraqis, are forced to fend for themselves in an atmosphere of impunity, and lack any tribal or militia structure to provide for their security. The result is that members of these communities continue to flee the country in the face of violence, in an exodus that may mean the end of the presence in Iraq of ancient Christian and other religious minority communities that have lived on those same lands for 2,000 years."

The text of the letter to Under Secretary Dobriansky follows:

November 8, 2006

Dr. Paula Dobriansky
Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC

Dear Under Secretary Dobriansky,

On behalf of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, I am writing to you with regard to the situation of members of religious minorities that have fled Iraq. In October 2005, the Commission wrote to then Acting Assistant Secretary Greene to express our concern about the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) September 2005 Advisory Opinion on Iraq, which understated the severity of conditions in Iraq for members of religious minorities, particularly ChaldoAssyrians and Sabean Mandaeans. Since that time, conditions have deteriorated for these groups, and yet barriers to access to the U.S. Refugee Program continue to exist. Because of the specific and well-documented threats these groups face in Iraq, the Commission recommends that you:

• Create new or expand existing options for allowing members of Iraq's ChaldoAssyrian and Sabean Mandaean religious minority communities to access the U.S. refugee program. The Visa 92/93 and Priority Three (P-3) programs are too narrowly focused and unnecessarily limit opportunities for family reunification; and
• Urge UNHCR to resume full RSD for all Iraqi asylum seekers and assess all claims without delay.

The worsening conditions for ChaldoAssyrians and Sabean Mandaeans in Iraq, on which the Commission has reported for the past three years, warrant these actions. In a letter to President Bush in December 2004, the Commission observed that the "escalation of religious terror...is having a particularly devastating effect on many of Iraq's non-Muslim minorities-the ChaldoAssyrians, Mandaeans, and Yazidis." In its 2006 Annual Report, the Commission found that amid a growing cycle of sectarian violence:

[R]eligious minorities in Iraq continued to suffer a disproportionate burden of violent attacks and other human rights abuses. Minority communities, including Christian Iraqis, are forced to fend for themselves in an atmosphere of impunity, and lack any tribal or militia structure to provide for their security. The result is that members of these communities continue to flee the country in the face of violence, in an exodus that may mean the end of the presence in Iraq of ancient Christian and other religious minority communities that have lived on those same lands for 2,000 years. The [UNHCR] has reported on "an explosion of Islamist extremist movements and militias which target, among others, members of religious minorities," concluding thatreligious minorities "have become the regular victims of discrimination, harassment, and at times persecution, with incidents ranging from intimidation and threats to the destruction of property, kidnapping and murder," and that"members of the Christian minority...appear to be particularly targeted."

This alarming trend has continued unabated, as is confirmed by the Department of State's most recent International Religious Freedom Report, which concludes that "private conservative and radical Islamic elements continued to exert tremendous pressure on other groups to conform to extremist interpretations of Islam's precepts. In addition, frequent attacks on religious places of worship, as well as sectarian violence, hampered the ability to freely practice religion." Although it appears that the central government of Iraq has played no part in facilitating or condoning attacks against religious minorities, for the time being it remains unwilling or unable to stop or even diminish the frequency and intensity of these incidents.

In addition to violence, allegations have persisted throughout the past year that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has engaged in discriminatory behavior against religious minorities. According to the State Department, "Christians living north of Mosul claimed that the KRG confiscated their property without compensation and began building settlements on their land. Assyrian Christians also alleged that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)-dominated judiciary routinely discriminated against non-Muslims and failed to enforce judgments in their favor."

UNHCR currently estimates that Iraqi ChaldoAssyrians and Mandaeans represent approximately 40% of the refugees who have fled Iraq over the past three years, although they constitute less than 3% of the Iraqi population. These individuals, numbering approximately 500,000, are dispersed through Jordan, Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. On October 13, 2006 UNHCR acknowledged that recent developments in Iraq have "necessitated a reassessment" of its work and priorities to provide assistance to the tens of thousands of Iraqis "who are now fleeing their homes every month," in a "steady, silent exodus." According to UNHCR, those who have managed to flee Iraq increasingly "are becoming dependent and destitute," with the welcome mat "wearing thin in some of the neighboring states." In Jordan and Syria, governments have "merely remained tolerant" and suspended the application of their respective laws regarding the stay of foreigners. "This tolerant position is now changing."

Yet in the face of these developments, the United States has not made direct access to the U.S. Refugee Program available to Iraqi religious minorities, taking the position that ChaldoAssyrians and Sabean Mandaeans are subject to generalized violence in Iraq. This position is not supported by the facts. Moreover, although the State Department has indicated its willingness to take referrals from UNHCR, that agency has suspended refugee status determinations (RSDs) for all Iraqi nationals. This policy is inconsistent with UNHCR's own written recommendations to State Parties, and is resulting in those Iraqis fleeing persecution in their home country being denied international protections to which they are entitled.

Knowing of your considerable concern for human rights, the plight of refugees, and other global issues, the Commission urges you to act on the recommendations given above.

Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Felice D. Gaer
Chair

CC: The Honorable Barry F. Lowenkron, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

The Honorable John V. Hanford III, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom

The Honorable Ellen R. Sauerbrey, Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugee and Migration Affairs

J. Kelly Ryan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugee and Migration Affairs

The Honorable Elliott Abrams, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Global Democracy Strategy

The Honorable Michael Kozak, Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights, and International Operations

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2006

Contact:
Angela Stephens, Assistant Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a bipartisan, independent federal agency, released a new Policy Focus and recommendations on Bangladesh last month at a roundtable on Capitol Hill, particularly relating to national elections scheduled to take place in January. A transcript of the event will be available today.

The Commission recommended at the event, titled "The Bangladesh Elections: Promoting Democracy and Protecting Rights in a Muslim-majority Country," that the U.S. government urge the government of Bangladesh to safeguard the voting rights of all Bangladeshis and to ensure that the elections are free, fair, and peaceful by:

• restoring public confidence in the non-partisan and independent character of both the Election Commission and the Caretaker Government;
• preventing violence before and after the election, including violence against religious minorities;
• instituting a voter registration process that will facilitate the enrollment of the maximum number of eligible voters in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of perceived religious or political affiliation or ethnic background;
• using all practical technical means of ensuring the security of the ballot; and
• permitting and facilitating international and domestic monitoring of the entire electoral process.

Furthermore, the Commission calls on the government of the United States to:

• prepare and publicize a comprehensive pre- and post-election analysis of the election process with recommendations for needed reform;
• provide official U.S. government monitors in addition to those already planned by the International Republican Institute and the International Democratic Institute for International Affairs; and
• work with other interested states and international organizations to increase monitoring and other efforts to forestall election-period violence, with the assistance of indigenous human rights and other civil society organizations.

The Oct. 17 forum was moderated by Commission Chair Felice D. Gaer, Commission Vice Chair Michael Cromartie and Commissioner Preeta D. Bansal, all of whom visited Bangladesh in February-March of this year as part of a Commission delegation.

Featured speakers were retired Ambassador A. Tariq Karim, former Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States and a Harrison Fellow in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland, Mr. Selig S. Harrison, director of the Asia Program at the Center for International Policy and a senior scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Ms. Cynthia R. Bunton, regional program director for Asia at the International Republican Institute (IRI), and Mr. Patrick Merloe, senior associate and director for election programs at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).

Ambassador Karim said that Bangladesh's image as a secular and democratic Muslim-majority nation has been assailed in recent years by a resurgence of Islamist militancy. Ambassador Karim cautioned that the next elections may well determine whether the country will further consolidate democratic institutions and practices and the nation's secular tradition with tolerance for all faiths, or be swept toward increasing authoritarianism and religious intolerance.

Mr. Harrison argued for urgent U.S. action to counter the Islamist threat in Bangladesh. He took the U.S. government to task for not recognizing the growing danger of Islamist extremism and authoritarianism to Bangladesh's young democracy and proposed that the United States use the leverage provided by foreign assistance and economic ties to promote free and fair elections.

Ms. Bunton and Mr. Merloe reviewed IRI and NDI's respective programs in Bangladesh, with a focus on the upcoming elections, and emphasized the importance of restoring public confidence in an electoral system threatened by political violence and excessive partisanship.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2006

Contact:
Angela Stephens, Assistant Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240, ext. 114

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned about misleading claims by Saudi Arabian authorities regarding the purported release of religious prisoners in the southwestern region of Najran. Saudi state media reported last week that Ismaili religious prisoners held in Najran were pardoned. Despite these reports, the Commission has learned that at least 18 Ismaili Muslim religious prisoners still remain in jail, including Hadi Al-Mutaif, who has been in prison for nearly 15 years, serving a life sentence on blasphemy charges.

Early last week, King Abdullah visited Najran, and the Ministry of Interior reported through the Saudi state media that the King had pardoned the Najran Ismaili religious prisoners, including those who were involved with protests in 2000 after Saudi authorities closed an Ismaili mosque for "practicing sorcery." However, the Commission has received reliable information that only 10 prisoners-who had served all but one year of their original sentences-were pardoned by the King and released from prison. At least 17 other Ismaili prisoners who were involved with the protests in 2000 remain in jail and continue to serve the remainder of 10-year sentences. Finally, an additional Ismaili religious prisoner who had been in prison for five years on a separate blasphemy charge was released, but not Hadi Al-Mutaif. Al-Mutaif was originally sentenced to death in 1994 for a wisecrack deemed blasphemous that he made as a teenager. In 1999, his death sentence was commuted to life in prison.

"Since 2001, the Saudi government has repeatedly made public statements promising reforms. The Commission has found that many of these claims have not resulted in specific actions, nor have they resulted in measurable improvements," said Commission Chair Felice D. Gaer. "The case of the Ismailis in Najran and Hadi al-Mutaif seems to follow this pattern."

According to the State Department's Annual Report on International Religious Freedom released in September, there were nearly 60 Ismailis in prison as a result of rioting that took place in Najran in 2000. Although many were subsequently released after serving reduced sentences, some of those that remain in prison are reportedly subject to flogging. Human rights advocates report that Ismailis, a Shi'a sect numbering some 700,000 inside Saudi Arabia, continue to suffer severe discrimination and abuse by Saudi authorities.

The Hadi Al-Mutaif case not only has broader implications for other religious prisoners inside Saudi Arabia, but also for U.S.-Saudi discussions on freedom of religion or belief. This case is significant in light of the July announcement by the State Department that the Saudi government has identified and confirmed policies that seek to improve religious practice and tolerance inside of Saudi Arabia. These policies of the Saudi government claim a willingness to improve religious freedom conditions.

"The Commission is concerned about the misleading nature of the Saudi government's claims in light of its statements that it is committed to constructive dialogue and engagement on religious freedom issues," said Gaer. "The U.S. government should use this opportunity to raise its concern about this case with senior Saudi officials and give the Saudi government a chance to release all remaining religious prisoners in Najran," said Gaer.

In September 2004, the State Department for the first time followed the Commission's recommendation and designated Saudi Arabia a "country of particular concern," or CPC, for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief. The Commission continues to recommend that Saudi Arabia remain a CPC.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.