USCIRF
@USCIRF
Followers
83K
Following
1K
Media
3K
Statuses
14K
We are an independent, bipartisan federal government entity that monitors, analyzes, and reports on threats to #ReligiousFreedom. Retweet≠Endorsement
Washington, DC
Joined May 2009
🚨 REMINDER: Standing with the Silenced – Leveraging the Frank Wolf Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List . 📅Thursday, February 6 .📍Kennedy Caucus Room, 325 Russell Senate Office Building .⏰1:30 pm ET.Register 👉
2
5
6
This is the first time since 2004 that USCIRF recommends #India as a Country of Particular Concern #USCIRFAnnualReport2020.
3K
10K
25K
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act in #India “potentially exposes millions of Muslims to detention, deportation, and statelessness when the government completes its planned nationwide National Register of Citizens” USCIRF Vice Chair @nadinemaenza #USCIRFAnnualReport2020.
2K
9K
20K
“Perhaps the steepest, and most alarming, deterioration in religious freedom conditions was in #India, the largest democracy in the world.” USCIRF Vice Chair @nadinemaenza #USCIRFAnnualReport2020.
2K
7K
15K
USCIRF is alarmed by reports of deadly mob violence targeting Muslims in New Delhi, #India and urges the #Modi government to rein in mobs and protect religious minorities and others who have been targeted. #DelhiViolence #CAAProtest.
1K
7K
11K
PRESS RELEASE: Vice Chair @ArriagaKristina adopts two religious prisoners of conscience detained in #Russia - Ivan Matsitsky and Dennis Christensen. (Yesterday Dennis Christensen's latest hearing was held.). #JehovahsWitnesses #Scientology
5
2K
8K
USCIRF Chair @tperkins discusses #India saying "We are seeing impunity for violence by non-state actors committed against religious minorities.” #USCIRFAnnualReport2020.
404
3K
7K
USCIRF condemns the continued scapegoating and attacks of Muslims in #India due to false rumors over the spread of #coronavirus, often accompanied by dangerous rhetoric by politicians. This stigmatization can breed further discrimination and violence.
529
3K
6K
In #USCIRFAnnualReport2020, USCIRF recommended #India be designated a Country of Particular Concern for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom during 2019. Unfortunately, this negative trend has continued into 2020.
345
3K
5K
USCIRF wishes an #EidMubarak to all who are celebrating this weekend. May the coming months bring you joy and good health. #Ramadan #EidAlFitr.
140
901
5K
USCIRF @CommrBhargava: “#India’s #Karnataka State court upholding the #hijabban in schools is a violation of religious freedom. The ruling is a grave injustice and indignity to women and girls seeking an education in accordance with their faith.”
456
2K
4K
In #Pakistan, the systematic enforcement of blasphemy and anti-Ahmadiyya laws, and failure to address forced conversions of religious minorities—including #Hindus, #Christians, and #Sikhs—to Islam, severely restricted religious freedom, as shown in #USCIRFAnnualReport2020.
374
1K
4K
Countries of Particular Concern in #USCIRFAnnualReport2020: Burma, China, Eritrea, India, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.
359
1K
4K
USCIRF is alarmed by recent attacks against churches in India. #ReligiousFreedom in #India is at serious risk.
220
1K
3K
On #WorldPressFreedomDay, USCIRF stands with journalists who document religious freedom persecution & violence. Particularly in #India where journalists reporting on abuses towards #Muslims #Christians #Dalits #Sikhs & #Adivasis are targeted & detained by the government.
170
1K
3K
USCIRF Chair @nadinemaenza: “Anti-Muslim violence is on the rise in #India. This deterioration of pluralism is tied to the government’s continuous advocacy of Hindu nationalist policies at the national and state level.” .
302
2K
3K
USCIRF Chair @tperkins: “The ongoing violence we are witnessing in #Delhi and the reported attacks against Muslims, their homes and shops, and their houses of worship are greatly disturbing. " (1/2). #DelhiRiots2020 #DelhiViolence .
289
2K
3K
USCIRF Chair @nadinemaenza: “USCIRF is concerned about ongoing violence in #Tripura against #Muslims, which some regard as retaliation for attacks against #Hindus in #Bangladesh last month. The Indian government must stop violence against religious communities.”.
Anti-Muslim violence flares up in Indian state of Tripura
185
1K
2K
USCIRF is concerned with reports of Christian hospital employees being arrested for conversion activities in #Karnataka #India. As many countries struggle to contain the #coronavirus, health professionals must be supported and religious freedom protected.
908
1K
2K
.@ProfVarshney: Using #CAA, the #NRC can render stateless a large number of Muslims, even if they were born in India & lived in the country for decades, as have their ancestors. That is an important reason protests have not ceased. #delhiriots2020.
202
1K
2K
Shab-e-Barat Mubarak. May this holy night of prayer & forgiveness destine the world with peace.
30
210
2K
USCIRF recommends 15 countries for “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) designation in the 2022 Annual Report: Afghanistan, Burma, China, Eritrea, India, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.
418
1K
2K
USCIRF is deeply troubled by the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) in the Lok Sabha. The CAB enshrines a pathway to citizenship for immigrants that specifically excludes Muslims, setting a legal criterion for citizenship based on religion.
2K
1K
2K
Siddique Kappan, a Muslim journalist known for reporting on religious issues, was arrested on his way to Hathras UP to cover a Dalit rape case that sparked nationwide protests. He was accused of only reporting “to incite Muslims.” #WorldPressFreedomDay
62
1K
2K
"Whether it's #Uighur Muslims or #Christians…the #Chinese government makes it absolutely clear that citizens must not have any loyalty higher than their loyalty to the communist party.” USCIRF Commissioner @GaryLBauer.
51
597
2K
"One of the things that has been important for us with #Pakistan, is that the government has been willing to engage in dialogue about how #ReligiousFreedom concerns can be addressed." USCIRF Commissioner @CommrBhargava #USCIRFAnnualReport2020.
245
439
2K
"We call on the Indian government to take concrete actions that will prevent this kind of violence. Lack of accountability will only encourage those who believe they can target religious minorities with impunity.” .- Chair @tperkins . #India #TabrezAnsari
1K
1K
1K
As the Hijri New Year begins, USCIRF wishes for a year full of peace and justice. May the new month of Muharram bring blessing and spiritual fulfillment for all.
17
186
1K
Chair @nadinemaenza: "Abduction & forced conversion remains an imminent threat for religious minority women & children in #Pakistan—especially Hindus, Sikhs, & Christians. The govt needs to hold perpetrators accountable & ensure justice for Pooja Kumari."
47
458
1K
USCIRF Commissioner @StephenSchneck: “The failure to hold accountable perpetrators of the 2002 Gujarat Riots who committed physical & sexual violence is a travesty of justice. It's part of a pattern of impunity in India for those engaged in violence against religious minorities.".
42
552
1K
USCIRF @CommrBhargava: “Many Indian citizens, in particular Muslims, have had their citizenship questioned and challenged by local authorities by being excluded from the National Register of Citizens despite their families having lived in India for generations.” #NRC #CAA.
38
529
977
On this auspicious occasion of sacrifice and devotion, USCIRF wishes Muslims around the world a blessed Eid ul Adha Mubarak. #EidulAdha #EidMubarak #EidalAdha2022
26
134
996
USCIRF recommends 14 countries to be designated as Countries of Particular Concern, meaning their governments engage in or tolerate “systematic, ongoing, egregious” violations of religious freedom #USCIRFAnnualReport2020.
25
396
971
USCIRF Chair @tperkins: "One of the essential duties of any responsible government is to provide protection & physical security for its citizens, regardless of faith. We urge the Indian government to take serious efforts to protect Muslims & others targeted by mob violence.”(2/2).
81
553
936
USCIRF wishes Muslim communities around the world a #RamadanMubarak. May this be a month of spiritual renewal and strength during these difficult times.
23
180
924
.@AmanWadud: “The Indian Constitution, which is an unparralled document in the history of modern nations, guarantees the right to live with dignity. The NRC exercise, if implemented, will deny this very right. ” #DelhiRiots2020. Watch live:
52
512
892
.@CommrBhargava: “USCIRF is particularly alarmed about reports from #Tripura of mobs desecrating mosques & torching properties of #Muslims. The Indian gov't must bring those responsible for instigating & engaging in religious violence to justice & must prevent further attacks.”.
49
419
854
USCIRF @CommrBhargava:“The brutal and unchecked violence growing across #Delhi cannot continue. The Indian government must take swift action to ensure the safety of all of its citizens. (1/3). #DelhiRiots2020.
70
639
819
USCIRF maintains FoRB Victims List, a database that catalogs select victims targeted due to their freedom of religion or belief. If you know anyone who should be included in the database, please utilize the online intake form here:
73
445
758
USCIRF is deeply concerned by the horrific attacks on #religious sites in the Tigray region of northern #Ethiopia and urge Ethiopian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation & protect places of worship and their congregants.
161
637
700
#Burma has continued violence against civilians in #Rakhine and limited religious freedom across the country for religious minorities. Again USCIRF recommends the country for #CPC designation. Learn more about these violations in #USCIRFAnnualReport2020:
29
317
708
House of Representatives @SpeakerPelosi announced the appointment of @nuryturkel, a lawyer and #Uyghur rights advocate, to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Read more:
32
202
681
USCIRF recommends 14 countries to be designated as Countries of Particular Concern, meaning their governments engage in or tolerate “systematic, ongoing, egregious” violations of religious freedom #USCIRFAnnualReport2020.
21
310
681
In February 2022, Kishor Ram, a Dalit journalist known for reporting on marginalized classes & lower caste issues, was arrested after bringing up caste during interviews with the families of Dalits who had been murdered & raped. #WorldPressFreedomDay
13
310
694
.@AmanWadud: The threat of a nationwide #NRC after the discriminatory #CAA instilled fear in the minds of Muslims as they apprehend they will be targeted over their citizenship status because of their religion. #delhiriots2020. Watch live:
30
415
653
USCIRF Commissioner @nuryturkel: “It is a great day for American citizens as well as #Uyghur and other Turkic people in China who have been subject to ghastly human rights abuses by the Communist Party of China." #UyghurHumanRightsPolicyAct.
USCIRF celebrated @POTUS @realDonaldTrump’s signing of the #Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act (S.3744) today, thereby enacting it into law. #UyghurHumanRightsPolicyAct .
14
558
662
"Friends point out weaknesses among friends, so that they become stronger." USCIRF Chair @tperkins discusses #India and #USCIRFAnnualReport2020.
210
183
641
More witnesses testify on #HumanRightsViolations in #Kashmir and India under Modi govt and #BJP @TLHumanRights hearing.
18
333
587
USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper: “USCIRF strongly condemns the recent torching of a mosque & killing of a Muslim cleric in Gurugram, India. Chief Minister Khattar promised 'strict action' against the Hindu extremist perpetrators of the deadly violence."
106
414
622
USCIRF welcomed the Pakistani government’s recent establishment of the National Commission for Minorities.
50
134
589
USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins: We condemn murder of Christian man and injuring of 2 others in #Jharkhand #India from mob violence after rumors of #cowslaughter. We urge Indian government to take steps to prosecute and to prevent this in the future. @tperkins
40
221
595
🚨USCIRF is alarmed by India’s increased transnational targeting of religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf. USCIRF implores the @StateDept to designate #India a Country of Particular Concern (#CPC).
537
336
555
USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper: “During Prime Minister Modi’s State Visit, we urge the Biden Administration and Congress to raise pressing issues of religious freedom and other related human rights in India and urge India to issue USCIRF visas to visit.”
43
233
565
“The U.S. government must not rest until the Chinese government closes the concentration camps and releases all of the Uighur and other Muslims unlawfully detained.” - Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee.
22
460
545
.@AmanWadud: Women are leading peaceful protest on the street for more than two months, beating all odds. #CAAProtest #CAA #NRC #NPR . Watch live:
16
275
498
“We, once again, recommend that Pakistan be a Country of Particular concern for a number of reasons—including the continued enforcement of blasphemy laws which have imprisoned and/or given a death sentence to 80 people within Pakistan.” @CommrBhargava #USCIRFAnnualReport2020.
69
126
495
Tribunal members in the state of Assam say they felt pressured to declare Muslims noncitizens as the government seeks to expel illegal migrants.
24
379
463
USCIRF welcomes @UNHumanRights' call for the release of #religiousfreedom advocates in #India who protested the Citizenship Amendment Act, which excludes certain Muslim migrants from citizenship.
41
246
461
USCIRF Vice Chair @nadinemaenza explains that religious freedom conditions in India took a drastic turn downward this past year, with religious minorities under increasing assault. Read more in the #USCIRFAnnualReport2020:
57
278
467
USCIRF Commissioner @GaryLBauer: “China’s decision to censor a soccer match because one #Arsenal player criticized its treatment of #Uighurs demonstrates why Beijing should not host the 2022 Winter Olympics." #BoycottBeijing2022.
27
317
456
During 2019, many countries around the world saw an increase in ethnoreligious #nationalism, especially in #SouthAsia, a trend that has increased the marginalization and discrimination of religious minorities. Learn more in the #USCIRFAnnualReport2020:
49
133
446
@RepMcGovern calls on India to allow foreign journalists into #Kashmir and to restore internet.
42
270
433
USCIRF @CommrBhargava: "Reports that Indian authorities are indefinitely and unlawfully detaining women and men for speaking out in support of #religiousfreedom or for their religious beliefs - in the midst of the #COVID19 pandemic - are deeply troubling."
37
282
413
The #Pakistan Chapter of the #USCIRFAnnualReport2020 is available online, as well as its translation in #Urdu.
24
155
371
USCIRF Commissioner David Curry: “USCIRF is concerned about the Indian government’s continued repression of critical voices— especially religious minorities and those reporting on and advocating for them.”
223
256
404
USCIRF condemns the demolition of historic mosque in #UttarPradesh & is concerned for the #Muslim community that attended daily prayers at this site. USCIRF calls on the Indian gov't to protect houses of worship & ensure the safety of the Muslim community.
57
252
385
Former Iranian religious prisoner of conscience Mr. Mohammed Ali Taheri provided remarks at USCIRF's Hearing on State-Sanctioned Religious Freedom Violations and Coercion by Saudi Arabia and Iran. The full recording of his remarks are now available.
95
329
386
In 2020, #Pakistan continued to systematically enforce blasphemy and anti-Ahmadiyya laws, and failed to protect religious minorities from abuses by nonstate actors. #USCIRFAnnualReport2021.
29
192
367
USCIRF wishes Muslims around the world, Eid Mubarak. May your fasts, prayers, and charity during the holy month of Ramadan be accepted. #EidulFitr2022
23
67
387
Starting now: USCIRF Hearing on Citizenship Laws and Religious Freedom .
20
169
356
Cmmr @FredDavieUSCIRF: "We are deeply saddened and outraged by today's attack on the Ahmadiyya Mosque in #BurkinaFaso. Attackers clearly targeted worshippers based on their beliefs, a flagrant and egregious violation of their religious freedom."
5
289
381
USCIRF Commissioners @GaryLBauer & Tenzin Dorjee: "The U.S. should not send any officials to attend the 2022 @Olympics in Beijing until #China ends its assault on #religiousfreedom." .
27
113
342
USCIRF commends the passage of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act (S.3744) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent on May 14.
17
183
348
USCIRF is outraged that the @StateDept did not include #Nigeria or #India in its latest designations of CPCs under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), turning a blind eye to both countries’ particularly severe religious freedom violations.
128
170
345
USCIRF @CommrBhargava: ". These incidents are even more concerning in the context of efforts within #India to target and potentially disenfranchise Muslims across the country, in clear violation of international human rights standards.” (3/3). #DelhiRiots2020.
36
239
340
USCRIF Chair @nadinemaenza: “USCIRF urges #Turkey to cease these attacks in Northern #Iraq that endanger #Yazidis & other religious communities, preventing refugees & IDPs from returning to their homes. We urge the US gov't to condemn Turkey's actions.”
16
155
312
USCIRF Chair @nadinemaenza: "We are deeply concerned by #Azerbaijan's plans to remove Armenian Apostolic inscriptions from churches. We urge the government to preserve and protect places of worship and other religious and cultural sites."
86
177
338