From the report:

“By any measure, religious freedom abroad has been under serious and sustained assault since the release of our commission’s last Annual Report in 2015.   From the plight of new and longstanding prisoners of conscience, to the dramatic rise in the numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons, to the continued acts of bigotry against Jews and Muslims in Europe, and to the other abuses detailed in this report, there was no shortage of attendant suffering worldwide.

[These] are crises in their own right which cry out for continued action on the part of the international community, including the United States.   To be effective, such action must recognize the unmistakable fact that religious freedom is a common thread in each of these challenges, and deserves a seat at the table when nations discuss humanitarian, security, and other pressing issues.  The United States and other countries must fully accord this right the respect it deserves and redouble their efforts to defend this pivotal liberty worldwide.”

In its role as an independent U.S. federal government advisory body, USCIRF recommends that the State Department add eight more nations to its list of “countries of particular concern,” or CPCs, where particularly severe violations of religious freedom are perpetrated or tolerated.  These countries are:

• Central African Republic
• Egypt
• Iraq
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Syria
• Tajikistan – On April 15, after the report went to press, Tajikistan was designated a CPC
• Vietnam

USCIRF also recommends that the State Department redesignate as CPCs the following nine countries and take additional actions to promote religious freedom:

• Burma
• China
• Eritrea
• Iran
• North Korea
• Saudi Arabia
• Sudan
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan

Along with recommending CPC designations, USCIRF also places 10 countries on its “Tier 2” list, a Commission category for governments that engage in or tolerate violations that are serious but not CPC-level.   USCIRF urges increased U.S. government attention to the following countries:

• Afghanistan
• Azerbaijan
• Cuba
• India
• Indonesia
• Kazakhstan
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Russia
• Turkey

The USCIRF Report also highlights religious freedom concerns in countries/regions that do not meet Tier 1 (CPC) or Tier 2 thresholds, but should also be the focus of concern.  These countries/regions are:

• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Belarus
• Horn of Africa
• Kyrgyzstan
• Western Europe

Given improvements in the status of religious freedom or belief in 2015, USCIRF did not include Cyprus and Sri Lanka in this category this year. 

Click here to view the full 2016 Annual Report.

Join the conversation on Twitter by using #USCIRF2016

To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact Travis Horne at [email protected] or 202-786-0615.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes Secretary of State John Kerry’s re-designation on April 15, 2016 of Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as “countries of particular concern,” or CPCs, under the International Religious Freedom Act, and the designation for the first time of Tajikistan as a CPC.

“USCIRF welcomes the designation of these ten countries.  The CPC designation shines a spotlight on the “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” violations of the freedom of religion or belief that are taking place in these nations.  However, the Secretary also waived imposing any consequences on Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. The CPC designation brings with it a unique toolbox of policy options to effectively promote religious freedom, and USCIRF encourages the Administration to use these tools,” said Robert P. George, USCIRF’s Chairman.

While commending the addition of Tajikistan, USCIRF has concluded that the CPC list should be expanded to include seven other countries: Central African Republic, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, and Vietnam.  USCIRF also urges that waivers be limited to a set period of time and subject to review for renewal.

For more information about the CPC mechanism and implementation of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), please see USCIRF’s 2015 Annual Report.

To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or 202-786-0615. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) sends warm New Year’s greetings to the people of Burma and urges the new government to start the New Year by protecting the freedom of religion or belief.  USCIRF also urges the international community to continue its support for improving the overall human rights situation in Burma.  Burma’s government, now headed by the first elected civilian president in more than five decades, must demonstrate to the international community its commitment to democracy, human rights, and rule of law, including religious freedom. 

“It’s a new day for the people of Burma.  Many have struggled their entire lives for freedom for their country, their families, and themselves.  Under the leadership of President U Htin Kyaw and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the government now must guarantee to them the rights and freedoms enshrined in international human rights covenants, including the fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief for all.  The season of the Thingyan Water Festival and New Year celebration, emblematic of the deep religious and spiritual traditions that enrich Burma’s history, is an auspicious time for Burma’s new government to take these steps,” said USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George.

One such step is Burma’s government radically changing its abusive policies and practices in Rakhine State, which have harmed members of the ethnic communities who live there, especially Rohingya Muslims.  The government denies them citizenship, freedom of movement, access to health care, and other basic services, and in 2015 revoked their voting rights and denied them and other Muslims the ability to contest elections.  Also in 2015, the government implemented a package of “race and religion laws” which some nationalist Buddhists had advanced.  Each of these laws discriminates against and restricts the religious freedom of non-Buddhists, particularly Muslims.

USCIRF commends the government of Burma for its plans to release political prisoners and withdraw charges against individuals awaiting trial, and eagerly awaits their full implementation.  But Burma must do more to demonstrate its commitment to international human rights standards, including by: signing and ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; improving access to humanitarian aid in areas where religious and ethnic minorities are displaced, have their movement restricted, or cannot access basic services; inviting a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and allowing the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to open a country office; ceasing criminalizing the peaceful exercise or expression of religion or belief; and doing away with discriminatory laws – especially the 1982 Citizenship Law, policies, and practices that unfairly treat ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians and Rohingya and other Muslims.

For more information, please see USCIRF’s Burma chapter in the 2015 Annual Report (in English and Burmese), and refer to USCIRF’s website for news about the release of the 2016 Annual Report coming soon.  Refer also to the following press releases: USCIRF Calls for the Protection of Religious and Ethnic Minorities During Post-Election Period and Beyond; and USCIRF Condemns Passage of Religious Conversion Bill.

To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or 202-786-0615.