U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
The Church of Almighty God members detail arrests in China, seek asylum
By Thomas Maresca — March 25, 2019
SEOUL (RNS) — Leaders of the Church of Almighty God, which has been labeled a cult by Chinese officials, say thousands of their fellow worshippers have been arrested over the past year. Some church members have fled to South Korea to seek asylum.
Andrew Brunson, back in US after detention, hopes to return to Turkey one day
By Adelle M. Banks — February 6, 2019
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The evangelical pastor recalled at an event hosted by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom that its commissioners were among the first people to visit him in prison after his arrest in 2016.
Fighting intolerance, Ahmadi Muslims have won unlikely allies
By Aysha Khan — August 7, 2018
ALTON, United Kingdom (RNS) — Many Muslim groups say they've been shut out of religious freedom advocacy. But the persecuted Ahmadi community, which touts the motto 'Love for all, hatred for none,' has scored a different level of access.
A religious freedom summit can’t undo Trump’s record on Islam
By Jacob Lupfer — July 25, 2018
(RNS) — The religious freedom advocates at the State Department’s ministerial this week need to say plainly that Trumpism and international religious freedom contradict each other in ways we cannot ignore.
Tony Perkins appointed to US panel on international religious freedom
By Jack Jenkins — May 15, 2018
(RNS) — Tony Perkins, leader of the Christian lobbying group Family Research Council, has been appointed to a U.S. government commission dedicated to 'defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad.'
Global religious freedom commission cites 28 key nations for ‘ongoing downward trend’
By Adelle M. Banks — April 25, 2018
(RNS) — Commissioners traveled to a dozen countries to assess religious freedom conditions, prioritizing religious prisoners of conscience, blasphemy laws and the connections between women’s equality and freedom of belief.
The Vietnam War revisited
By Thomas Reese — April 11, 2018
(RNS) — Looking back, I feel guilty for being so stupid and burying myself in books rather than being part of the historic events of my time.
Pope Francis, diplomatic prophet in Myanmar
By Thomas Reese — November 30, 2017
(RNS) — Pope Francis was faced with a terrible dilemma: Be prophetic and put at risk Christians in Myanmar, or be silent and compromise his moral authority. He chose neither.
Pope Francis shouldn’t risk going to Myanmar
By Thomas Reese — November 20, 2017
(RNS) — Next week Pope Francis will visit Myanmar, where he risks either compromising his moral authority or putting in danger the Christians of that country. I have great admiration for the pope and his abilities, but someone should have talked him out of making this visit.
US commission: Russia a major violator of religious freedom
By Lauren Markoe — April 26, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) A dissenting report criticizes the commission for failing to investigate Israel.
Today — of all days — remember the disappeared
By guest — August 30, 2016
(RNS) Many around the world have been 'disappeared' for reasons relating to religion. Today is a day set aside to remember them, say two members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Iran wants to eradicate Baha’is. We should demand their religious freedom
By guest — May 13, 2016
(RNS) Saturday (May 14) is the eighth anniversary of Iran’s imprisonment of seven Baha’i leaders. Unfortunately, there are signs the persecution of the Baha'is is on the upswing.
China protests at US accusations of abuse of religious groups
By RNS staff — May 5, 2016
BEIJING (Reuters) China has lodged a diplomatic protest with the United States after a U.S. government commission said Chinese violations of religious freedom last year remained "severe."
India withholds visas from US religious freedom monitors
By Adelle M. Banks — March 3, 2016
(RNS) Robert P. George, chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, said that “a pluralistic, non-sectarian, and democratic state" such as India should have allowed the visit.
State Dept. should act on Pakistan’s religious freedom violations, watchdog group says
By Brian Pellot — July 30, 2014
(RNS) The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom noted “disappointing omissions” in the State Department’s new international religious freedom report, including the absence of Pakistan on its list of worst offenders.
