U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
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.
House passes bill to make cemetery desecration a religious freedom crime
By Lauren Markoe — May 28, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) The bill was suggested by Jewish groups who pointed out the frequent desecration of Jewish cemeteries abroad, especially in nations that once had significant Jewish populations.
Religious rights watchdog pushes to add Pakistan, Syria to list of worst offenders
By Lauren Markoe — May 22, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Pakistan and Syria have earned their places on the list of the world's worst violators of religious freedom, says a leading religious liberty watchdog.
REPORT: State Department should double list of worst religious freedom offenders
By Brian Pellot — April 30, 2014
(RNS) The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is calling for the secretary of state to add Syria and seven other countries to the list of worst religious freedom offenders.
US and EU explore cooperation on religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — February 13, 2014
(RNS) Members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom met for the first time with members of the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss a global response to religious freedom violations.
Activists: 15 years later, religious freedom law falls short
By Corrie Mitchell — June 19, 2013
(RNS) Fifteen years after Congress passed a law to better protect global religious freedom, the legislation is failing to fulfill its mission, activists told lawmakers on Thursday (June 13).
Critics: State Department is ‘AWOL’ on Iran’s religious freedom
By Adelle M. Banks — March 15, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Religious freedom activists scolded the State Department for not appearing at a hearing Friday on Iran’s treatment of religious minorities and called for greater government involvement in securing the release of people imprisoned there for their faith.
House considers rising anti-Semitism in Europe, Middle East
By Lauren Markoe — February 27, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) A Wednesday hearing featured activists who fear that growing anti-Semitism in Europe threatens not only Jews, but other religious minorities and the ideal of tolerance in general.
State Department highlights global religious restrictions in new report
By Adelle M. Banks — July 30, 2012
(RNS) Religious minorities continue to suffer loss of their rights across the globe, the State Department reported Monday (July 30) in its 2011 International Religious Freedom Report. By Adelle M. Banks.
Ahmadiyya Muslims get warm welcome in Congress
By Lauren Markoe — June 27, 2012
WASHINGTON (RNS) The spiritual leader of the Ahmadi Muslims, a persecuted group who are seen as heretics by many mainstream Muslims, made a rare visit to Capitol Hill. By Lauren Markoe.
Former USCIRF staffer charges Muslim bias
By Adelle M. Banks — June 11, 2012
WASHINGTON (RNS) A former staffer of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has filed suit against the watchdog agency, saying it reneged on giving her a job as an analyst because she was Muslim and had worked for a Muslim advocacy group. By Adelle M. Banks.
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