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Welcome to USCIRF


Defamation Of Religions 

Many countries around the world have laws that punish expression deemed blasphemous, defamatory of religion, or contemptuous or insulting to religion or religious symbols, figures, or feelings.  The application of these laws has resulted in individuals being jailed for merely expressing a different religious belief or being falsely accused.


April 5, 2013| By USCIRF

WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed concern about the Egyptian government's continued application of blasphemy-like charges that are used to stifle dissent and limit the freedoms of religion and expression.

USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett gave the following remarks at a conference, cosponsored by USCIRF and Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs on December 7, 2012.
Thank you for that kind introduction.
I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to our new home, which happens to be right across the street from our old home.


10/25/2012| By Katrina Lantos Swett , Mary Ann Glendon and Robert P. George


October 15, 2012| by Katrina Lantos Swett and Robert P. George

The following op-ed appeared in Foreign Policy on October 15, 2012.

November 17, 2011 | by USCIRF

Chairman Leonard A. Leo testifies on the 2011 International Religious Freedom Report before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights




WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. commission on International Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the continued decline in support in the UN General Assembly for this year's "defamation of religions” resolution. The vote Tuesday was79 yes, 67 no, and 40 abstentions, down from 80-61-42 in December of last year.



WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged UN delegations to vote against the draft resolution sponsored by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on combating the so-called "defamation of religions,” recently modified to refer instead to the "vilification of religions.” A preliminary vote in the UN General Assembly's Third Committee is expected on November 22 or 23, and a final vote in the full General Assembly in December.