FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2018

USCIRF Applauds Passage of H.R. 390 by Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today applauded the U.S. Congress’s unanimous vote to approve H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act, which was introduced in 2017 by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA). This bill promotes accountability for crimes committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and provides for the urgent humanitarian and stabilization needs of persecuted religious and ethnic communities. Since June 2017, USCIRF has recommended that the Senate pass H.R. 390.

“I enthusiastically commend the U.S. Congress for taking this important step in support of those communities who have been the targets of genocide in Iraq and Syria,” said USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee. “When I visited Iraq with Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga in March, we witnessed firsthand the immense suffering of Yazidis, Christians, and other religious minorities and listened to their stories of egregious violations of their fundamental rights. These communities desperately need all the help they can get to reconstruct their lives. This bill supports them and also ensures that those responsible for these horrible crimes face some measure of justice.”

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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 Kellie Boyle at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2018

USCIRF Statement on New Restrictions by Vietnamese Government on Religious Leader Patriarch Thích Quảng Độ

WASHINGTON, DC — United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga today called on the government of Vietnam to respect the freedom of movement and religious freedom of Patriarch Thích Quảng Độ, the leader of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV). According to reports, although the Patriarch now has chosen to reside at Từ Hiếu Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnamese authorities are trying to return Thích Quảng Độ to his home province of Thái Bình, likely in an attempt to isolate him from fellow UBCV members.

“For more than three decades Vietnamese authorities have victimized Patriarch Thích Quảng Độ for his religious identity and human rights advocacy, and they are still not letting up,” said Vice Chair Arriaga. “I urge the government of Vietnam to respect his freedom of movement and freedom to reside wherever he chooses.”

Vice Chair Arriaga advocates for Thích Quảng Độ as part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project. Arriaga also issued a statement on Thích Quảng Độ last month.

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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 or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Kellie Boyle at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2018

USCIRF Calls for Release of Iranian Prisoner of Conscience Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee

USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin calls for Iraee’s release on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

WASHINGTON, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Vice Chair Gayle Manchin on Sunday again called on the government of Iran to release Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, for whom Vice Chair Manchin advocates as part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.

Iraee is an Iranian author and human rights advocate who wrote pieces and Facebook posts discussing political prisoners and criticizing the official policy of stoning women for adultery. Following a conviction on charges of “insulting Islamic sanctities” and “spreading propaganda,” she was sent to the women’s ward of the notorious Evin Prison. Here she has been subjected to violence including beatings and psychological torture.

“On this day when thousands across the world call for an end to violence against women,” said Vice Chair Manchin, “I want to take the opportunity to highlight the case of Iraee, who is suffering a terrible injustice for courageously advocating for others’ rights. Despite being subjected to repeated physical and psychological abuse, Iraee has shown great strength and resilience. I call on the government of Iran to release her immediately and to cease perpetrating violence against women.”

Since 1999, the State Department has designated Iran as a “country of particular concern” for engaging in systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.

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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 Kellie Boyle at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.