USCIRF

The Latest

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian grotto in Pakistan.

US group calls Pakistan blocking of aid to Christians, Hindus 'reprehensible'

Apr 15, 2020

The U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom has called on the Pakistani government to ensure aid for the COVID-19 pandemic is... Read more

The White House, Washington, DC.

How a new presidential religious freedom adviser could shape US foreign policy

Feb 7, 2020

By Matt Hadro

Reports of a new special adviser to the President on international religious freedom could be a game-changer for U.S. foreign... Read more

Proposed changes to US Commission on International Religious Freedom draw fire

Nov 22, 2019

With the current authorization for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expiring this year, proposed changes to the... Read more

Hearing warns of increasing attacks on holy sites, houses of worship

Oct 24, 2019

The protection of holy sites and houses of worship was the subject of a recent hearing held by the U.S.... Read more

Tony Perkins.

Family Research Council president elected to chair religious freedom commission

Jun 20, 2019

The president of a Christian political advocacy and lobbying group has been elected to serve as chairman of the U.S.... Read more

Religious liberty report highlights China's repression of Muslims, Christians

Apr 29, 2019

The majority of the world’s worst violators of religious freedom are found in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, according... Read more

New report paints worrying picture of global religious freedom

Apr 26, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Religious freedom conditions worsened across the globe in the past year, according to the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom’s... Read more

Vietnamese pastor who was jailed for faith says it was 'God's gift to me'

Apr 19, 2018

By Courtney Mares

After surviving six years of imprisonment and torture, Vietnamese pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh told CNA that prayer sustained him through... Read more

Five things Catholics can do to support international religious liberty

Apr 19, 2018

By Courtney Mares

At the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Summit on Wednesday, Robert George shared five steps Catholics can take to... Read more

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian Grotto in Pakistan.

State Department names 10 countries as worst religious freedom offenders

Jan 4, 2018

By Christine Rousselle

The State Department on Thursday unveiled its list of countries designated as the worst offenders against religious liberty. Advocates of... Read more

Never tire of fighting for human rights, religious liberty advocate insists

Apr 26, 2017

By Matt Hadro

Amid a rising tide of violence, imprisonment, and harassment on account of people’s religious beliefs, the United States cannot grow... Read more

US leaders tell persecuted believers: 'You are not alone'

Apr 6, 2017

By Matt Hadro

Religious freedom advocates at the United States capitol on Thursday sent a message of solidarity to all those imprisoned or... Read more

European Commission officials visit camps for internally displaced Rohingyas in Burma.

Muslims and Christians in Burma still face persecution, US officials warn

Dec 14, 2016

By Adelaide Mena

Rohingya Muslims in Burma, as well as Christians, face continued persecution, destruction of homes and places of worship, and threats... Read more

Prisoners of conscience remembered on International Religious Freedom Day

Oct 27, 2016

By Matt Hadro

Leading religious freedom advocates called for the release of all “prisoners of conscience” worldwide on International Religious Freedom Day.  Read more

The US talks tough on religious persecution - but do its actions match?

Aug 16, 2016

By Matt Hadro

Religious freedom advocates praised the State Department’s annual International Religious Freedom report published last week, but insisted that words must... Read more

The United States capitol building.

US House passes big upgrades to international religious liberty law

May 16, 2016

By Matt Hadro

A significant upgrade to a landmark religious freedom law passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday afternoon.  Read more

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian grotto in Pakistan.

The world became more dangerous for religious believers last year

May 2, 2016

By Matt Hadro

The right to exercise religion came under sustained assault around the world in 2015, according to a new report from... Read more

United States Capitol building.

New State Department actions don't go far enough, religious freedom leader says

Apr 22, 2016

By Matt Hadro

Religious freedom leaders applauded the U.S. State Department’s recent re-designation of nine countries – and the inclusion of one more... Read more

Taj Mahal seen from nature trail in Agra, India.

India's refusal to grant religious freedom visas a 'missed opportunity'

Mar 20, 2016

India is making a mistake in refusing to issue visas to a U.S. international religious freedom organization, said religious liberty... Read more

Capitol at Sunset.

Advocates chide US – stop ignoring religiously-motivated violence

Oct 28, 2015

By Matt Hadro

The U.S. must recognize all causes of religious freedom abuses around the world – including religious motivations where they exist,... Read more