FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 13, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed its alarm at the recent spate of bombings of churches in Baghdad and Mosul and called on the Iraqi government to provide protection to all of the country"s citizens, especially its vulnerable Christian minority.

The bombings occurred late Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon, Sunday evening, and Monday at six churches throughout Baghdad and one in Mosul. USCIRF sources in Baghdad report that 14 civilians were killed and several more were injured in the weekend bombings. Initial press reports indicate several injuries in today"s attack in Mosul.

"The Iraqi government, which is now fully responsible for security in its cities, must apprehend and punish the perpetrators of this violence and must ensure that civilian property and lives, particularly of its most vulnerable citizens, are protected," said Leonard Leo, USCIRF chair. "The U.S. government should insist that the Iraqi government protect all of its citizens. Christians are one of Iraq"s ancient, indigenous peoples, and their continued presence there is essential to Iraq"s future as a democratic, pluralistic, and rule of law society.”

Iraq"s small Christian community has been particularly vulnerable to violence in Iraq because it does not have militia or tribal structures to protect itself and does not receive adequate official protection. Extremists have in the past used coordinated bombings of Christian churches to threaten and intimidate this community. For example, in January 2008, six churches in Mosul and Baghdad were bombed in coordinated attacks on Epiphany and Orthodox Christmas Eve. Christian leaders, including the Archbishop of Mosul, have also been targeted by kidnappings and killings. Since 2003, many Christians have fled Iraq for other countries. Christian leaders have warned that the result of this flight may be the end of Christianity in Iraq.

The current attacks come at a time when U.S. troops in Iraq are drawing down, and they appear to be part of a renewed effort by insurgents to destabilize the Iraqi government.

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF"s principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.

To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at [email protected] or (202) 523-3257.

• USCIRF Press Release
• Roxana Saberi's Letter to USCIRF

• "U.S. panel demands release of Baha'is facing trial in Iran" (CNN)
• "Reports: Trial of Baha'is delayed in Iran" (CNN)
• "Reports: Baha'is trial due to start next week in Iran" (CNN)
• "Trial of Baha'i prisoners set for Tuesday" (CNN)
• "Roxana Saberi and USCIRF Call for Release of Iranian Baha’is" (Iran Press Watch)
• "AJC: Where’s the Outrage over Iran’s Baha'i Show Trial?" (American Jewish Committee)
• "Trial for seven Baha'i leaders reportedly delayed" (Baha'i World News Service)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 8, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed concern today over the continued persecution of Uighur Muslims and the Chinese government's violent response to the Uighur protest in Urumqi in the Xinjiang autonomous region Sunday, that left more than 150 dead and thousands injured.

Media reports from the scene said that Uighur protesters, with legitimate grievances, were forced to disperse by government security forces. When they failed to disperse, force was used that led to the deaths of more than 150 Uighurs. Reports also indicate that, amidst the violence, Han Chinese were killed by Uighur rioters.

In a swift statement, the Chinese government said its violent crackdown was in response to a protest by Uighur separatists who rioted, burning hundreds of shops and cars. More than 700 persons were detained.

"The heavy hand of Chinese government repression displayed at Tiananmen Square and last year against Tibetan protesters appears evident again. We call on the Chinese government to end its violent response to the protests and act with moderation and restraint in dealing with Uighur unrest in Xinjiang, and to allow peaceful demonstrations and greater religious freedoms,” said Leonard Leo, USCIRF chair.

"While the specifics in this tragedy are not fully clear, what is known is that the Chinese government has systematically repressed the human rights and religious freedom of Uighurs,” said Leo. "This violent response leading to at least 150 deaths is an obvious overreaction and we urge the U.S. government and the international community to stand up for the rights of Uighurs and other religious minorities in China. USCIRF demands a full accounting of all persons detained, that they be given the right to access to independent doctors, lawyers, and that they be allowed to notify relatives.”

Xinjiang Province is home to an estimated eight million Uighurs, the vast majority of whom are Muslim. Because of enduring restrictions on Uighur religion and culture and growing ethnic tensions between the indigenous Uighur population and newly arrived Han Chinese migrants, Xinjiang is sometimes called "China's other Tibet.” Chinese restrictions on peaceful religious activity and expression in Xinjiang are particularly draconian in scope. Chinese authorities have often equated the peaceful religious practices of Uighur Muslims with religious extremism and separatism and use the global war on terror as a pretext to crack down on peaceful forms of religious activity and expression.

Religious freedom abuses are also widespread for other religious communities in China. Tibetan Buddhists, Protestants and Catholics who refuse to join the government-controlled religious organizations, Falun Gong adherents, human rights defenders and lawyers, and Uighur Muslims have all faced government abuses.

China has been listed by USCIRF as a "country of particular concern” (CPC) since 1999. USCIRF commissioners visited Urumqi and Kashgar in 2005 and in June 2009, USCIRF commissioner Felice Gaer testified before the Subcommittee on Human Rights, International Organizations, and Oversight of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on China's history of persecution of Uighurs. (The full text of the testimony is available in pdf on our Web site .)

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF's principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.

To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at [email protected] or (202) 523-3257.