Religious Freedom Challenges for Jehovah’s Witnesses

Four years after USCIRF’s 2020 publication on the global persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses, countries continue to prosecute and impose harsh penalties on the community for their religious beliefs and peaceful religious activities. Hundreds of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been imprisoned under laws punishing so-called “extremism” and conscientious objection. Other countries prevent Jehovah’s Witnesses from gaining legal recognition, deprive them of rights afforded to others, or impose prejudicial policies. States have a duty to protect freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for Jehovah’s Witnesses.