USCIRF
Stripped of his title and illegally replaced, Eritrea’s spiritual leader languishes in detention
By Thomas Reese — July 19, 2017
(RNS) What did Patriarch Abune Antonios do? He refused to betray his flock. He refused to betray his conscience. And he refused to betray his religious beliefs.
Since ban, persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses is ‘worse than ever’
By Lauren Markoe — May 18, 2017
(RNS) Russia has labeled the pacifist Jehovah's Witnesses 'extremist,' the same designation as al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.
A dubious proposal to reform the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
By Mark Silk — May 2, 2017
Outgoing Vice Chair James Zogby's bad idea.
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.
US religious freedom report on India rejected as ‘Hinduphobia’
By Bhavya Dore — February 17, 2017
MUMBAI (RNS) The USCIRF report cited India’s anti-conversion laws, cow protection legislation and the treatment of Dalits, or so-called untouchables, as points of concern.
Experts mull religious freedom, tolerance in US, abroad
By Adelle M. Banks — February 9, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) Religious freedom experts emphasized the need for education, tolerance and on-the-ground visits to persecuted religious people across the globe.
Empower women by standing for religious freedom
By Kristina Arriaga — December 9, 2016
(RNS) On Human Rights Day — as we commemorate the U.N. General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — we call for the release of six female prisoners of conscience and for governments to honor religious freedom.
Churches to Russia: We’re not leaving
By Kimberly Winston — July 11, 2016
(RNS) A new Putin-backed law would outlaw proselytzing by religious organizations in Russia.
India rejects US religious freedom report
By Akhtar Ali — May 5, 2016
NEW DELHI (RNS) The foreign ministry says the report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom “fails to show proper understanding of India, its constitution and its society.”
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."
Report: Religious freedom deteriorating around the world
By Aysha Khan — May 2, 2016
WASHINGTON (RNS) Global religious freedom remains under “serious and sustained assault,” according to a new report.
Do ISIS’s atrocities against Christians, Yazidis and Shias really amount to genocide?
By Brian Pellot — August 6, 2015
Religious freedom advocates are calling for President Obama and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to label ISIS’s actions against religious and ethnic minorities “genocide.” Does the label fit? 13 experts weigh in.
5 takeaways from the new report by US Commission on International Religious Freedom
By Brian Pellot — May 5, 2015
(RNS) The Central African Republic is bad, Malaysia is getting worse, and ISIS fighters should face the International Criminal Court.
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.
ANALYSIS: Does religious freedom report need more ‘teeth’?
By Lauren Markoe — May 21, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Watchdogs say the State Department missed a key opportunity to put teeth into its annual assessment of global religious freedom, which was released by Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday.
