Connections
Puzzle #296
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The IRF_Roundtable has sent letter signed by 150 people & orgs urging Congress to reauthorize USCIRF by passing 'The US Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2024' sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio & Senator Ben Cardin. Thanks to effort led by Anna Sineva.

A statement regarding a recent incident involving a US Delegation Visiting Saudi Arabia saudiembassy.net/statements/sta…

.Commissioner Frederick Davie (USCIRF): 'Saudi officials’ request for Chair Cooper to remove his kippah was stunning & painful. It directly contradicted not only the gov’s official narrative of change but also genuine signs of greater religious freedom in the Kingdom that we observed firsthand.'

Vice Chair Commissioner Frederick Davie (USCIRF): 'We stand by our Chair & look forward to further discussions with our Saudi counterparts about protecting freedom of religion or belief for all.' uscirf.gov/release-statem…

USCIRF Leaves Saudi Arabia After Government Official Insisted Chair to Remove Kippah | USCIRF As Vice Chair of ⁦USCIRF⁩ I was proud to stand with my colleague ⁦USCIRF⁩ Chair Rabbi Cooper during this disturbing event. uscirf.gov/release-statem…

USCIRF Commissioner Frank Wolf: 'To address the #CCP ’s worsening domestic abuses of religious freedom, Congress should require increased transparency on foreign lobbying & ban lobbying by agents acting on behalf of foreign adversaries, like China.' uscirf.gov/publications/c…

Cmmr David Curry: 'The mass arrests & possible destruction of #Tibetan monasteries represent continuation of an egregious trend, part of China’s attempt at Sinicization aiming to forcibly assimilate Tibetans & eliminate their ethno-religious identity.' rfa.org/english/news/t…

USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper & Vice Chair Commissioner Frederick Davie (USCIRF): 'USCIRF commends Senator Chris Coons, Sen. James Lankford, Senator Thom Tillis, & Senator Tim Kaine's bipartisan efforts to advance international religious freedom.' congress.gov/bill/118th-con…

USCIRF Cmmr 🇺🇸 Eric Ueland 🇺🇸: 'USCIRF is deeply saddened by the desecration of another synagogue in Sfax, Tunisia. The Biden admin must work with IRFBA & bilateral partners to address similar attacks & put an end to the surge in antisemitic incidents.' i24news.tv/en/news/intern…

USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Magid: 'USCIRF met with the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance ( #IRFBA ) this week and discussed opportunities for more collaboration to protect freedom of religion or belief abroad.'

USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper: 'USCIRF had an informative meeting with Douglas Emhoff and U.S. Ambassador at Large Rashad Hussain where we highlighted USCIRF's work to advance religious freedom and related human rights abroad.' uscirf.gov/annual-reports

USCIRF Commissioner Susie Gelman: 'USCIRF held a constructive dialogue with members of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religious Freedom (IPPFoRB), where we shared our different approaches to addressing religious violations abroad & amplifying #FoRB .'

Excellent meeting today with Douglas Emhoff Doug Emhoff and U.S. Ambassador at Large Rashad Hussain Rashad Hussain discussing international freedom of religion or belief, with colleagues from USCIRF.

Action Day, January 29: Vietnamese American advocates & Dr Nguyễn Đình Thắng of BPSOS with
USCIRF Vice Chair Commissioner Frederick Davie (USCIRF), at the House of Representatives.
#IRFSummit2024

.⁦Commissioner Frederick Davie (USCIRF)⁩ raises imprisonments of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu and Mubarak Bala in Nigeria at ⁦IRF Summit⁩ as an advocate for them, and raises concerns over mob violence and targeted killings of Christians. ⁦Kola Alapinni⁩

Vice Chair Commissioner Frederick Davie (USCIRF): “USCIRF is horrified by the atrocious conditions in Eritrean prisons that conscientious objectors must endure, many because of their faith. While Eritrea has long been repressive of religious freedom, the prison population has reportedly skyrocketed.”

Vice Chair Commissioner Frederick Davie (USCIRF): 'In 2023, Belarusian authorities have bulldozed & liquidated the Pentecostal New Life Church, detained & fined dozens of Christian religious leaders for perceived political activities, & blacklisted human rights organizations working on #FoRB issues.'

USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper: 'USCIRF is outraged and strongly condemns calls from #Burundi ’s president to stone LGBTQI+ people on religious grounds. His comments go against Burundi's own constitution and the protections under UDHR Article 18.” bbc.com/news/world-afr…

USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper and Vice Chair Commissioner Frederick Davie (USCIRF): 'USCIRF calls on Congress to convene a public hearing on the failure of the Department of State to follow our recommendations.' uscirf.gov/news-room/rele…