Sep 16, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2013| By USCIRF
USCIRF Letter to President Obama on
Unprecedented Sectarian Attacks Committed Against Christians in Egypt
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) sent the following letter to President Obama on September 12, 2013:
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), I respectfully urge you to speak out clearly and forcefully about the unprecedented sectarian attacks committed against Christians in Egypt that proliferated at a frenetic pace on August 14 and the immediate days thereafter. It also is vitally important that the Egyptian interim government understands from you that it must promptly and thoroughly investigate violent incidents, prosecute perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law, and provide greater protections for Christians and their places of worship.
Since the Egyptian military and security forces dispersed protestors at two separate locations on August 14, more than 1,000 Egyptians have been killed, including at least 100 police and security forces. The Egyptian interim government's excessive use of force when breaking up protests, the high number of deaths, and the return to a state of emergency are profoundly troubling. Almost simultaneously, a coordinated series of attacks on churches throughout the country were instigated by extremists. We were deeply troubled that leaders and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood tolerated or even encouraged incitement against Christians, and that the interim authorities stood by or were slow to react when attacks occurred.
While USCIRF recognizes the grave issues at stake related to democracy, rule of law, and human rights in Egypt, the Commission is concerned particularly about the ongoing threats and violence targeted at religious minority communities, particularly Coptic and other Christians and their property. The extent and scope of attacks since August 14 have resulted in the sectarian-related killings of at least seven Copts and attacks on more than 130 churches and Christian religious structures, homes, and businesses.
After former president Mohamed Morsi assumed office in June 2012, there was a noticeable increase in vitriolic, sectarian rhetoric targeted at religious minorities, particularly Copts and other Christians, as well as Shi'a, Sufis, and Baha'is. Following President Morsi's ouster from office on July 3, there was an increase in violent attacks, which accelerated even more dramatically after the August 14 dispersals. Again, incitement against Christians was tolerated or even encouraged by leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, and their belated attempts to condemn the violence and calm tensions have been inadequate. In addition, the military and interim government has failed to take adequate measures to protect the rights of those at risk.
USCIRF repeatedly has cautioned that religious minorities, particularly Copts, are among the most vulnerable to extremist and scapegoat attacks during the democratic transition. For years, USCIRF has faulted the Egyptian government for allowing sectarian violence to occur with impunity. Past large-scale attacks on Christians that resulted in the deaths of dozens and injuries to hundreds - such as in Maspero in October 2011, Imbaba in May 2011, and Alexandria in January 2011 - remain unpunished. In fact, the absence of prosecutions from past sectarian incidents targeting Copts has fostered a climate of impunity that encourages future attacks.
Mr. President, while USCIRF welcomed your August 15 statement condemning attacks on churches and calling for the rights of religious minorities to be respected, we urge you and your Administration to take additional action. In concert with the European Union and other allies, we hope you will press the interim Egyptian government to provide greater protections for Copts and other religious minorities and their places of worship and actively advocate for justice and accountability for the violence committed against them.
In its annual report last spring, the Commission recommended that your Administration designate Egypt as a "country of particular concern” for engaging in and tolerating severe, ongoing, and systematic violations of religious freedom. That recommendation reflects our deep concern about ongoing violations of religious freedom, and the Commission will continue to monitor closely actions by the interim government.
Coptic Christians in Egypt - numbering more than eight million people - constitute the largest religious minority community in the region. The United States must act to ensure this ancient religious community is secure both in the present and in the future.
We thank you for consideration of our views and recommendations and stand ready to assist in any way.
Sincerely,
Chairman
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at (202) 523-3258
Sep 11, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
September 11, 2013 | By Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in CNN World on September 11, 2013.
Editor's note: Robert P. George is chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The views expressed are his own.
A dozen years ago today, the 9/11 attacks brutally awakened the American people to the global reality of terrorism - of lethal groups like al Qaeda and the Taliban, which manipulate religion in violent pursuit of totalitarian aims.
In the ensuing years, the nation rightly focused on these groups, and especially on the regions of South Asia - including Afghanistan and Pakistan - and the Middle East.
Yet in many ways, an overlooked story of the past few years has been the disturbing rise of like-minded organizations elsewhere, particularly in Africa. As the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has documented, the forces of violent religious extremism have gained footholds on the continent, terrorizing populations, violating fundamental rights including religious freedom, and posing a serious security threat to the region and potentially beyond.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact Kalinda Stephenson at (202) 786-0613 or [email protected] .
Sep 9, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2013 | By USCIRF
Washington, D.C. - The Chief Justice of the United States, John G. Roberts, today swore in Dr. Robert P. George as the Chairman of the U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in a ceremony at the Supreme Court. Dr. George took the oath on the Bible of Harriet Tubman, the great abolitionist and defender of liberty and human dignity. Dr. Cornel West held the bible as Dr. George took the oath in Chief Justice Roberts' chambers.
"I am deeply honored to have been sworn in by the Chief Justice as USCIRF's Chairman, humbled by taking my oath of office on Harriet Tubman's bible, and uplifted by the participation of my colleague and dear friend, Dr. West," said Dr. George. "As I held this bible in my hands, I was struck by the thought that every generation is responsible for the defense of human liberty and dignity, and that each generation stands on the shoulders of past heroes. I am awed by Harriet Tubman's witness and sacrifices and the towering example she set for us all, especially during this year's commemoration of the 100th anniversary of her death.
In addition to my deep thanks to Chief Justice Roberts, I am grateful that the Harriet Tubman Home has graciously allowed the use of her bible, and for Dr. West's presence today,” continued Dr. George. "Dr. West and I are profoundly united in our commitment to the precious right of religious freedom for all and to the cause of defending the victims of persecution and injustice across the globe.”
Dr. West, with whom Dr. George often co-teaches at Princeton University, said "I am blessed to stand beside my dear brother and distinguished colleague, Robert George, as he reaffirms his deep commitment to the religious liberty of each and every one of us both here and abroad.”
Comprised of nine members, USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives.
"My experience today reinforces my view of the urgency of USCIRF's work in support of human dignity and freedom and against religious persecution - so often violent and even lethal - in so many places around the globe,” concluded Dr. George.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at (202) 523-3258 or [email protected] .