Topic: U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

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Opinion Obama must hold Myanmar's Thein Sein accountable for human rights violations

When President Obama meets with President Thein Sein of Myanmar (Burma) today, he should emphasize Washington’s commitment to Myanmar’s progress, while stressing the importance of preventing discrimination and violence against ethnic minority Muslims and Christians.
Terrorism & Security North Korea explains why it sentenced American Kenneth Bae to hard labor

Mr. Bae was detained and sentenced to 15 years in prison. North Korea today spelled out its charges, which include plotting to overthrow the government.
Clashes between ethnic groups leave at least 30 dead in Nigeria

A funeral march in the small town of Wukari, Nigeria turned into a violent clash between Hausa and Fulani settlers, who tend to be Muslim, and Jukun, who are mostly Christian. At least 30 were killed, and many houses burned.
Opinion Obama must remind Vladimir Putin of human rights, religious freedom concerns

Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has passed a succession of anti-human rights laws curtailing freedom of expression, association, and assembly. Parliament might even pass a proposed blasphemy law that clearly would violate religious freedom. President Obama must speak out.
UN's focus on Middle East overlooks other urgent global matters

There's concern that issues like the debt crisis in Europe, an increase in the Pakistani heroin trade, and an armed struggle in Mali, to name a few, are being overlooked this week during the UN General Assembly.
Opinion Don't penalize asylum-seekers at US ports

It's not fair: Refugees who seek asylum at US ports can be detained indefinitely, while those who apply once they are already in the country are generally allowed to remain free. The Justice Department must change its position and allow judicial review of asylum seekers at ports of entry.
Editorial Board Blog Egypt's deadly rumors of interfaith marriage

Last weekend's riot between Muslims and Coptic Christians in Egypt that killed 13 people was not the first time a rumor about an interfaith marriage set off sectarian violence there. Egyptian religions set marriage rules, forbidding interfaith unions. It's a matter of civil law in the US.
05/12/2011 04:21 pm
Africa Monitor UN to review Sudan's human rights record

The UN Human Rights Council reviews member states' records every four years. Sudan is up for review in 2011, giving the US and partners an opportunity to demand improvements.
05/09/2011 03:18 pm
Editorial Board Blog Blasphemy law kills a Pakistan minister

The state in Pakistan has yet to execute someone for blasphemy. But that hasn't prevented killings related to this archaic law, such as the murder of a Christian cabinet minister for his effort to reform the law.
03/02/2011 04:15 pm
The Monitor's View How to get past the zero-sum debate over planned mosque near Ground Zero

The planned Islamic center near New York City's Ground Zero is trapped in forces far larger than the project itself. All sides in this debate would do well to read President Obama's 2009 speech in Cairo about US-Muslim relations.
08/17/2010 04:35 pm
US defense of global religious freedom wanes under Obama, panel says

A bipartisan national commission finds President Obama wanting when it comes to defending and promoting global religious freedom. It names 13 countries as serious violators.
04/29/2010 04:34 pm
In India, religious violence leaves long trail of refugee camps

Indian Christians who fled from violence two years ago are still living in refugee camps, a German delegation found this week. Muslims and Hindus who faced persecution eight and 20 years ago also remain displaced.
04/15/2010 10:28 am
The Monitor's View Islamic countries push a global 'blasphemy' law

As a new member of the UN Human Rights Council, the US must persuade other countries not to go along.
10/27/2009 01:00 am
Opinion Iran's nuclear crisis: Obama could play the human rights card

One issue that should be put on the table is what Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad put on display this week in New York: Iran's religious minorities.
09/26/2009 01:00 am
Chapter & Verse Islamic academy revises controversial textbooks

03/12/2009 01:00 am
Opinion The Saudis' dubious interfaith agenda at the UN

The country's lack of religious freedom betrays its lofty rhetoric. The real aim of its 'dialogue' is to promote a global blasphemy law.
11/13/2008 12:00 am
Ahmadinejad to dinner? Furor ensues over religious groups' event.

The Iranian leader's appearance at an interfaith iftar meal, expected Thursday, divides the faith community.
09/25/2008 01:00 am
Olympic torch rallying China's critics

For some years, China's boom and the war on terror have overridden human rights concerns.
04/09/2008 01:00 am