USCIRF Welcomes President Joe Biden’s Appointment of Mohamed Elsanousi to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Washington, DC – President Joseph R. Biden announced on June 26, 2024 the appointment of Mohamed Elsanousi to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

“USCIRF welcomes Mohamed Elsanousi to the Commission and looks forward to the valuable perspective that his years of experience will bring,” stated USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “His expertise and insight on interfaith engagement and minority rights will be a great addition to help support the Commission’s mission to unflinchingly identify threats to religious freedom abroad.”

Mohamed Elsanousi serves as the Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, a global network that bridges grassroots peacemakers and global players to work towards sustainable peace. He previously served as Interfaith and Government Relations Director at the Islamic Society of North America. He also served on the Core Group Taskforce for the U.S. Department of State on Religion and Foreign Policy.

Elsanousi was the Principal Coordinator for developing the standards and protocols for safeguarding the rights of Christian, Jewish, and other religious minorities in Muslim-majority communities. His efforts in this role led to the adoption of the Marrakech Declaration, the most recognized Islamic theological document advocating for improved religious freedom. He is the founding Executive Committee Member of Shoulder to Shoulder and co-chair of the Multi-Faith Advisory Council to the United Nations. Additionally, he serves on the boards of directors and trustees for numerous interfaith organizations, including the Center for Interreligious Dialogue at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City and the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies.

“Mohamed Elsanousi’s contributions to the issue of international religious freedom provides a significant depth of expertise that the Commission can draw upon,” USCIRF Vice Chair Eric Ueland added. “His appointment to USCIRF brings additional experience to the broad backgrounds of Commissioners.”

USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives.

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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].

USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom in Nicaragua

Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:

Nicaragua Country Update - This report provides an update on the severely deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua. President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo use laws on cybercrimes, financial crimes, legal registration for not-for-profit organizations, and sovereignty and self-determination to persecute religious communities and religious freedom advocates. Nicaragua’s government continues to repress the Catholic Church for its human rights advocacy by arbitrarily arresting, imprisoning, and exiling clergy and laypeople and shuttering and seizing the property of Catholic charitable and educational organizations. As Ortega and Murillo seek to maintain their hold on power, the authorities have been using similar tactics to oppress Protestant denominations. The Nicaraguan government has also resisted any international scrutiny of their religious freedom violations including by withdrawing from the Organization of American States (OAS), expelling OAS staff from its territory, and refusing to cooperate with the United Nation Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua.

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. Department of State designate the country as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and 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 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].

USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka

Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:

Sri Lanka Country Update – This report provides an overview of the current religious freedom conditions in Sri Lanka and key observations from USCIRF’s 2023 delegation to the country, such as religiously motivated land disputes, registration challenges, and the use of discriminatory legislation to target and detain religious minorities. It includes a summary of proposed amendments to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Online Safety Bill, and the enforcement of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act.

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State include Sri Lanka on its Special Watch List for engaging in or allowing severe violations of religious freedom. In May 2024, USCIRF held a hearing on religious freedom in Sri Lanka.

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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].