Aug 24, 2018
Comunicado de Prensa para Publicación Inmediata
24 de agosto de 2018
La Comisión de los Estados Unidos para la Libertad Religiosa Internacional Condena la Violencia y Represión de las Autoridades Nicaragüenses Contra Entidades Religiosas
El presidente de la Comisión, Tenzin Dorjee, dijo, “Condenamos enérgicamente la violencia en contra de organizaciones y líderes religiosos.”
WASHINGTON, DC – La Comisión de los Estados Unidos para la Libertad Religiosa Internacional (USCIRF) condena enérgicamente la violencia dirigida en contra de líderes y ministerios religiosos. Desde el mes de abril, durante protestas a favor de la democracia, más de 300 personas han sido asesinadas y muchos más heridos, incluyendo líderes de organizaciones religiosas.
“Condenamos enérgicamente la violencia contra los líderes religiosos,” dijo el presidente de USCIRF Tenzin Dorjee. “Las comunidades religiosas han denunciado los abusos del gobierno en contra de civiles inocentes. Debido a sus denuncias, líderes de organizaciones religiosas han sido las víctimas de un número de ataques violentos por parte de las autoridades nicaragüenses. El gobierno nicaragüense debe cesar cualquier acción de su parte, o de parte de sus seguidores, las cuales restringen los derechos de, o causan daño a las comunidades religiosas.”
Fuerzas del gobierno han comenzado a explícitamente dirigirse contra líderes y comunidades religiosas a través de intimidación, amenazas físicas, ataques en lugares de culto, y asesinatos. De acuerdo a organismos humanitarios locales, muchos grupos religiosos se han visto obligados a limitar su servicios y actividades debido a violencia por parte de fuerzas del gobierno y paramilitares.
La Vice Presidente de USCIRF, Kristina Arriaga, está disponible para otorgar entrevistas en español sobre este tema.
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La Comisión de Estados Unidos para la Libertad Religiosa Internacional (USCIRF) es una entidad independiente y bipartidista del gobierno federal de los Estados Unidos establecida por el Congreso de Estados Unidos para vigilar, analizar y reportar sobre las amenazas a la libertad religiosa en el exterior. USCIRF hace recomendaciones en materia de políticas al presidente, all secretario de Estado y al Congreso. Para entrevistar a un oficial del gobierno por favor envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected] o a Javier Peña a [email protected] o llame al +1-202-674-2598.
Aug 24, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2018
USCIRF Condemns Violence Against Religious Ministries in Nicaragua
Chair Dorjee said, “We strongly condemn the violence against religious leaders by government forces”
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns increasing violence directed particularly at religious leaders and ministries by the Nicaraguan government and its supporters. Since pro-democracy demonstrations began in April, more than 300 people have been killed and many more injured, including leaders of faith-based organizations.
“We strongly condemn the violence against religious leaders by government forces,” stated USCIRF chair Tenzin Dorjee. “Many faith-based communities have been seeking to play a constructive role in negotiations between the government and opposition groups. Religious communities that have provided aid or spoken out against government abuses towards innocent civilians have been the victims of an increasing number of violent attacks by authorities. The Nicaraguan government should immediately halt any action on its part, or on the part of its supporters, restricting the rights of, or causing harm to, religious communities.”
Government forces have begun explicitly targeting religious leaders and communities through intimidation, physical threats, assaults on places of worship, and killings. Many faith-based groups have reportedly been forced to limit their services and outreach as a result of intimidation and violence by government forces and paramilitaries.
USCIRF is also concerned about a terrorism law passed in July by the Nicaraguan government which may be used to target faith-based organizations providing aid to those affected. USCIRF applauds the use of targeted sanctions by the U.S. government and encourages the U.S. government to continue utilizing targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights violations.
Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga is available for Spanish language interviews on this issue.
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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 threats to 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] or Javier Peña at [email protected] or +1-202-674-2598.
Aug 7, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2018
At Gathering of 37,000 Ahmadi Muslims, USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore Vows to Make Religious Freedom in Pakistan a Priority
Commissioner Moore also formally adopts religious prisoner of conscience Abdul Shakoor
WASHINGTON, DC - Commissioner Johnnie Moore, of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), promised to make religious freedom in Pakistan a priority at this week’s gathering of nearly 37,000 Ahmadis at the 52nd Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom. Following this event, Commissioner Moore also formally adopted Abdul Shakoor, an Ahmadi Muslim imprisoned in Pakistan since 2015 on false terrorism charges.
“I have a personal commitment to make sure that you are not forgotten,” Commissioner Moore said, alluding to the physical, social, and legal threats Ahmadis face in many countries where they reside, particularly Pakistan. Speaking before convention attendees and a television audience of millions, he added, “USCIRF will continue to make it a priority to raise a voice for the Ahmadiyya community.”
During the gathering, Commissioner Moore met the leader of the global Ahmadiyya community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, and other Ahmadi leaders from Canada, the U.K., and delegations from Africa and Asia. Commissioner Moore also met with Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the U.K.’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
“USCIRF will be unrelenting in advocating for the Ahmadi’s religious freedom,” Commissioner Moore told the Jalsa Salana audience, which gathered in the English countryside under a banner proclaiming “Love for All, Hatred for None.” He continued, “The best war against an ideology that aims to promote fear is to stand in solidarity with those who promote peace.”
Since 2002, USCIRF has recommended that the State Department designate Pakistan as a “country of particular concern” for “ongoing, systematic, egregious violations of religious freedom.” USCIRF has also called for the use of tools such as the denial of visas and the freezing of assets against specific individuals who have participated in or have been responsible for severe violations of religious freedom.
In addition, Commissioner Moore recently co-authored with Vice Chair Gayle Manchin an op-ed published in Religion News Service entitled, “Stop the Weaponization of Religion in Pakistani Politics.”
Abdul Shakoor is part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project, which highlights individuals imprisoned for exercising their freedom of religion or belief.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF’s mission is to elevate and promote international religious freedom as a norm and practice. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Javier Peña at [email protected] or +1-202-674-2598.