美国国际宗教自由委员会-美国国际宗教自由委员会2021年度报告（英文）-2021.5-108页_8mb

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Annual Report 2021 Summary

Core Content Overview

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) issued its 2021 Annual Report, assessing global religious freedom conditions and making policy recommendations for the U.S. government. The report evaluates violations of religious freedom in 26 countries and non-state actors, based on the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) standards. It also analyzes the impact of the pandemic on religious freedom and outlines key developments in global religious freedom trends.

Main Recommendations

Countries Recommended for Designation as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs)

• Redesignated as CPCs (10 countries): Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
• New CPC Designations (4 countries): India, Russia, Syria, Vietnam

Countries Recommended for Special Watch List (SWL)

• Maintained on SWL (2 countries): Cuba, Nicaragua
• New SWL Designations (10 countries): Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Turkey, Uzbekistan

Non-State Actors Recommended for Designation as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs)

• Redesignated as EPCs (7 groups): al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, the Houthis, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), and the Taliban

Key Findings and Analysis

Impact of the Pandemic on Religious Freedom

• The pandemic significantly affected religious gatherings and practices globally.
• Public health measures, while necessary to prevent disease spread, must be non-discriminatory, proportionate, and temporary.
• Marginalized religious minorities in some countries were stigmatized and targeted for allegedly spreading the virus.
• USCIRF urged the release of religious prisoners during the pandemic, noting that some governments, like Eritrea, complied, while others, like Iran, continued to imprison religious minorities.

Global Trends in Religious Freedom Violations

• Attacks on Houses of Worship: Increased in several countries.
• Political Unrest: Led to new religious freedom violations in some regions.
• Blasphemy Laws: Continued to be used to suppress religious minorities and dissent.
• Global Antisemitism: Remained a concern, particularly in countries like Iran and the Houthis.
• China's Influence: Extended to other countries, affecting religious freedom and human rights.

Implementation of IRFA by the U.S. Government

Key Findings

• The Trump administration prioritized international religious freedom through increased funding and training.
• The executive order on "Advancing International Religious Freedom" in June 2020 was welcomed by USCIRF for its emphasis on developing a comprehensive strategy.

Recommendations to the Administration

• Continue to designate CPCs and SWL countries based on IRFA criteria.
• Expand the use of targeted sanctions against violators.
• Increase support for religious minorities and prisoners of conscience.

Recommendations to Congress

• Pass legislation to strengthen religious freedom protections.
• Increase the refugee ceiling to accommodate religious minorities fleeing persecution.

Legal Framework and Standards

• CPCs: Countries where the government engages in or tolerates "particularly severe" violations of religious freedom, such as torture, disappearance, or flagrant denial of rights.
• SWLs: Countries where the government engages in or tolerates "severe" violations, which meet two of the CPC criteria.
• EPCs: Non-state actors that engage in particularly severe violations and possess significant political power and territorial control.

Changes in SWL Recommendations

• Bahrain, Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan: No longer recommended for SWL due to improvements in religious freedom conditions, though USCIRF continues to monitor these countries.
• Bahrain: Improved treatment of Shi'a Muslims, including allowing Ashura to be observed as a public holiday and reducing discrimination.
• CAR: Reduced sectarian violence and made progress on interfaith tolerance, but religious minorities still face challenges.
• Sudan: Transitional government took steps to reform religious laws, including repealing the apostasy law and abolishing the guardianship law, but USCIRF does not recommend SWL status this year.

USCIRF's Role and Activities

• USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan advisory body to the U.S. government, separate from the State Department.
• It monitors religious freedom worldwide and provides recommendations based on international human rights standards.
• In 2020, USCIRF conducted field visits to Azerbaijan, Laos, Malaysia, and Sudan.
• The report includes analyses of religious freedom violations, advocacy efforts, and policy recommendations.
• USCIRF also raises awareness through public hearings, briefings, and a podcast series called Spotlight.

Appendix Highlights

• Commissioner Biographies: Provides background on USCIRF members.
• Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project: Lists individuals and groups facing persecution for their beliefs.

Conclusion

The 2021 USCIRF Annual Report underscores the ongoing challenges to religious freedom globally, with a focus on the most severe violations. While some countries showed improvement, others continued to restrict religious practices and target religious minorities. The report emphasizes the need for the U.S. government to maintain strong policy responses, including designations, sanctions, and advocacy, to protect religious freedom and human rights.