Washington, March 8 (IANS) The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged the US government to redesignate Pakistan as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. In its 2026 Annual Report, the US federal watchdog recommended that the US government lift the existing waiver that exists for Pakistan, or not issue a waiver, releasing the administration from taking otherwise legislatively mandated action as…
Latest US Commission on International Religious Freedom News & Updates
Washington, Feb 10 (IANS) A global alliance of Hindu and multi-faith groups called for urgent international action to protect Hindus in Bangladesh. The groups cited what they said was a sustained pattern of violence, intimidation, and forced displacement.The appeal was coordinated by the Hindus Advancing Human Rights Initiative, or HAHRI. It is an initiative of HinduPACT. The group said more than 125 organizations and individuals from 15 countries have signed the letter.The letter urges governme…
Washington, Feb 6 (IANS) A joint House Foreign Affairs hearing on defending religious freedom delivered a stark warning that authoritarian regimes and extremist violence are accelerating a worldwide crackdown on faith communities, while US policy tools and enforcement mechanisms lag behind the scale of the crisis.At a hearing titled “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World,” Congressman Christopher Smith said religious liberty — often described as “America’s first freedom” — i…
Islamabad, Jan 8 (IANS) A church in Raiwind area of Pakistan’s Punjab province came under attack recently as a person forcibly entered the Christian place of worship and carried out an act of destruction that has sparked fear among Christian community in the country. Religious leaders and community representatives have demanded stronger protection for places of worship and accountability for those who carry out these hate-driven acts, a report has stated. According to details mentioned in the Fi…
Colombo, Jan 7 (IANS) Religious minorities in Pakistan face systemic discrimination and entrapment in fabricated blasphemy allegations, mob violence, targetted killings, land grabbing, forced conversions, arbitrary detention, and damage to property, including places of worship, a report has detailed. On December 26, 2025, a 15-year-old Hindu girl, Premi Bhil was abducted from Sindh province, forcibly converted to Islam, renamed Kulsoom Sheikh, and married to a man over 30 years old who was alrea…