| USCIRF

Oct 23, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2018

USCIRF Concerned About UNESCO Resolutions

“The idea that there’s a question about the Jewish historical presence in the Holy Land and specifically at these sites is unacceptable,” said Commissioner Bauer

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed concern about two resolutions recently adopted by a commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

On October 10, 2018, the Programme and External Relations Commission of UNESCO’s Executive Board adopted Resolutions 28 and 29 concerning religious sites in the Holy Land. USCIRF appreciates the Commission’s efforts to affirm, correctly, that these sites “are of religious significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.” At the same time, Resolution 28 describes holy sites in Hebron/al-Khalil and Bethlehem solely as “Palestinian sites.”

Commissioner Gary Bauer cautioned, “The idea that there’s a question about the Jewish historical presence in the Holy Land and specifically at these sites is unacceptable and diminishes the religious rights of the Jewish people. UNESCO has no business pronouncing on territorial sovereignty or arbitrating territorial disputes.”

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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.

Oct 16, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2018

USCIRF Strongly Condemns Codification of Repression in Western China

“This is a deeply troubling development because it signals that the Chinese
government believes it can justify its brutal repression of Uighur Muslims by writing it into law,” said Chair Dorjee

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today strongly condemned the legalization of involuntary “re-education camps” in western China. As part of broader de-extremification efforts throughout the region, authorities in Xinjiang have reportedly revised their laws on the use of detention centers in an attempt to force Uighur and other Muslims whom they have arbitrarily and falsely accused of extremism to abandon their faith. According to reports, as many as one million Uighur Muslims have been subject to these “re-education” efforts in government internment camps.

USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee said, “This is a deeply troubling development because it signals that the Chinese government believes it can justify its brutal repression of Uighur Muslims by writing it into law. Until recently, authorities denied the existence of these draconian camps, and now they have cloaked their repression in legalese. This drive to crush religious minority communities is not letting up – it is in fact getting worse – and it is being directed by those at the highest levels, both within the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party. The international community must condemn and act to stop this unprecedented violation of human rights.”

In its 2018 Annual Report, USCIRF described China’s intensified “sinicization” campaign to control, govern, and manipulate all aspects of faith into a socialist mold with “Chinese characteristics.” In recent testimony before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, Chair Dorjee described China’s forced systematic repression of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. Chair Dorjee has adopted and called for the release of Gulmira Imin, a Uighur Muslim, as part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project. Also, last week the Congressional-Executive Commission on China released its 2018 Annual Report, which details religious freedom violations against Uighur Muslims and other religious communities.

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Oct 12, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2018

Pastor Andrew Brunson and Wife Depart Turkey

Commissioner Tony Perkins Accompanies Pastor Brunson and Wife Norine on Plane to U.S.

“I want to again commend President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Secretary Pompeo for their steadfast efforts to help ensure Pastor Brunson’s release,” said Commissioner Perkins

WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today announced that Pastor Andrew Brunson and his wife Norine Brunson have boarded a plane to travel to the United States. They are accompanied by Commissioner Tony Perkins, who attended Pastor Brunson’s final hearing at a Turkish court earlier today.

Commissioner Perkins said, “I want to again commend President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Secretary Pompeo for their steadfast efforts to help ensure Pastor Brunson’s release. This has been a difficult ordeal that has gone on for far too long for Pastor Brunson and his family, but today it ends and they can begin a new chapter in their lives.”

Earlier USCIRF released a statement on the Turkish court’s decision to release Pastor Brunson from house arrest.

USCIRF has advocated for Pastor Brunson’s release as part of its Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project: Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga adopted his case for advocacy. To learn more about recent religious freedom conditions in Turkey, see the Turkey chapter in USCIRF’s 2018 Annual Report.

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