International Engagement Working Group | IARF.net
IARF-US Board President George Garland has accepted a position on the International Board of Trustees, and is now co-chair of the International Working Group. Working Group members include Peter LePoole, Lukasz Liniewicz, Esther Suter, Ruzbeh Hodiwala, and US Chapter Treasurer John Gubbings, as well as US Chapter President George Garland.
The International Working Group coordinates and implements international chapter participation. Among the many issues the group has explored are the restoration of IARF consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This restoration was necessary in order to have voting membership in the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations (CoNGO), in association with the United Nations.
Interfaith Council for Dialogue, Service, and Advocacy
The International Association for Religious Freedom US Chapter endorses the planned new program, “Interfaith Council for Dialogue, Service, and Advocacy,” initiated by board member Roy Kaplan. The will host regular meetings for members of diverse faiths, and providing essential opportunities for collaboration, mutual understanding, and action. This initiative is increasingly relevant to counter growing and ongoing xenophobic, racist attacks on spiritual communities across the country.
Please click here to see the full presentation: ICDSA Presentation.pptx
THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ANNUAL REPORT 2026
MARCH 2026
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has issued their annual report for 2026. Established and funded by the US Congress, USCIRF is an independent federal agency with a staff of twenty-three professionals who monitor conditions of religious freedom around the globe. One of their tasks is to identify “Countries of Particular Concern” for violations of religious freedom.
For 2026, based on religious freedom conditions in 2025, USCIRF recommends that the U.S. Department of State: • redesignate as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs) the following thirteen: Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan; and •designate as additional Commission on International CPCs the following five countries: Afghanistan, India, Libya, Syria, and Vietnam.
Issues of concern for these countries included: •weaponization of legal frameworks to restrict freedom of religious belief (Blasphemy Laws) •attacks based on religious Identity •attacks on and repression of religious leaders and •attacks on houses of worship.
Another task is to recommend countries for a Special Watch List. For 2026. the Special Watch List (SWL) includes the two countries: Algeria and Azerbaijan. The report recommends monitoring these nine countries: Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Qatar, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
Of note: concerns were raised in the report about the United States, including the impact of global funding cuts on religious freedom, appointment of key government officials promoting “religious freedom,” and delays for those seeking asylum over religious freedom.
To read/download the report, go to: www.uscirf.gov
From the USCIRF website:
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency 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.
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
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WATCH—The United Nations Human Rights Council UN ORAL STATEMENT March 3 Special Rapporteur Lukasz Liniewicz on Freedom of Religion or Belief. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1866381500678835
ALERTS
Below are full articles from various news sources covering current issues of religious freedom in the US. We will continue to provide our readers with reports.
April 22. Evangelical leaders to join administration event rededicating America to God
From the website Religion News Service | religionnews.com
April 15 The Religious Liberty Commission
From the website of— Americans United for Separation of Church and State | www.au.org.
The Commission held its last 2026 hearing on April 13 before the release of its draft report and recommendations.
March 19 Faith clergy rally against bills Inserting religion into schools
From the website of the Alabama Political Reporter |www.alreporter.com
March18 Arkansas Ten Commandments law ruled unconstitutional
From the website of Baptist News Global | baptistnews.com
March 3 US troops were told war on Iran was “all part of God’s divine plan,” watchdog alleges
From the website of The Guardian | theguardian.com/us
CAIR Update March 5
“Judge blocks DeSantis' terrorist label of Muslim group. The court’s injunction allows CAIR-Florida to continue its work while the group’s lawsuit plays out.”—from Religion News Service (See full article)
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