USCIRF Releases 2026 Annual Report: Exposes Egregious Religious Freedom Abuses From Key Nations

USCIRF Releases 2026 Annual Report: Exposes Egregious Religious Freedom Abuses From Key Nations

Washington, DC - The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released its 2026 Annual Report. The report documents religious freedom conditions throughout 2025 and sets forth U.S. policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and U.S. Congress to advance freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) abroad.

"China arrests underground church members, mob violence is on the rise in India and Pakistan leading to attacks on religious minorities and the destruction of their homes, Burma's military bombs houses of worship, and Tajikistan denies parents the right to teach their children about faith," said USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler. "As USCIRF's Annual Report shows, far too many people in key nations are denied religious freedom through unjust laws, discrimination, harassment, violence, and even crimes against humanity. The U.S. government must continue to advance religious freedom abroad to make a difference for those facing religious persecution."

Congress mandated USCIRF's Annual Report in the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. Beyond recommendations, the report includes a summary of the implementation of IRFA, other global developments, and an evaluation of entities that violate FoRB.

"Religious freedom is a universal human right for all. Reporting on religious freedom conditions abroad is more imperative than ever. Government repression and non-state actor violence are on the rise in many places around the world; often devastating targeted religious communities and taking innocent lives," said USCIRF Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. "We urge the State Department to issue its Annual Report on International Religious Freedom and make its designations for countries and entities that violate this fundamental freedom to keep it at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy."

Recommendations from the 2026 Annual Report include:

• Eighteen countries recommended to the Secretary of State for designation as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) for particularly severe FoRB violations under IRFA.
• Eleven countries recommended to the Secretary of State for Special Watch List (SWL) designation for severe FoRB violations under IRFA.
• Seven entities recommended for designation as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC).
• Broad policy recommendations to the U.S. Administration and Congress.

The annual report can be accessed at uscirf.gov. Commissioners are available for interviews with the press. To schedule an interview, contact [email protected].

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief.