FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHRO Applauds USCIRF’s 2025 Recommendations on Burma’s Religious Freedom Violations
March 27, 2025 — The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) welcomes the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) 2025 Annual Report, which calls for the U.S. Government to redesignate Burma as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). This recommendation, made under the International Religious Freedom Act, highlights the ongoing and systematic violations of religious freedom in Burma, particularly under the rule of the military junta.
CHRO has actively engaged with USCIRF over the past year, including providing testimony during the Commission’s hearing on Burma. We commend USCIRF for its unwavering focus on the plight of religious minorities in Burma, including the Chin people, and for its recognition of the severe challenges they continue to face. Religious persecution and ethnic discrimination have escalated since the military coup of 2021, with targeted attacks against Christians and other minority faith groups.
“We applaud USCIRF for its steadfast commitment to shining a spotlight on Burma’s gross violations of religious freedom. This redesignation is a crucial step toward holding the Burmese military accountable for its ongoing persecution of religious minorities,” said Salai Mang Hre Lian, Program Manager at CHRO and recipient of the 2024 U.S. Secretary of State’s Human Rights Defender Award. “We call on the U.S. Government to act swiftly on these recommendations and to continue supporting efforts to protect religious freedom and human rights in Burma.”
The CPC designation is a vital tool in signaling the severity of human rights violations and advocating for international pressure on Burma’s military regime. CHRO remains committed to working with USCIRF and other international partners to advance religious freedom, document abuses, and seek justice for the victims of persecution in Burma.
For media inquiries, please contact: Salai Mang Hre Lian
Signal: +91 9612854821
Email: [email protected]
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USCIRF Releases 2025 Annual Report
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released its 2025 Annual Report. The report documents religious freedom conditions in 2024 and recommends policy to the White House, Congress, and State Department to advance freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) abroad. Congress mandated USCIRF’s Annual Report in the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998.
“As repressive governments and violent entities attack and drastically erode freedom of religion or belief, USCIRF’s independent reporting and bipartisan recommendations have never been more critical to U.S. foreign policy,” said USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “The U.S. government must continue to stand firm against these threats against the universal right of religious freedom.”
“Despite the escalating threats to freedom of religion or belief, there is real opportunity to stave off any retreat of this fundamental freedom and, if pursued with energy and determination, to advance it,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Meir Soloveichik. “Religious freedom is a clear priority of the United States. USCIRF’s 2025 Annual Report points the way forward for policy that advances religious freedom in a fast-changing world.”
Highlights from the 2025 Annual Report include:
- Sixteen countries recommended to the Secretary of State for designation as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) for particularly severe FoRB violations under IRFA.
- Twelve 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 Legislative and Executive Branches.
- Overview of escalating FoRB challenges in 28 countries, dangers posed by violent entities, and global threats.
- Review of FoRB policy implemented by the U.S. government.
The annual report, including all recommendations, 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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