UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Annual Report 2007 Annual Report RUSSIA UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Annual Report MAY 2007 U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom 800 North Capitol Street, NW Suite 790 Washington, DC 20002 202-523-3240 202-523-5020 (fax) www.uscirf.gov UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Commissioners Chair Felice D. Gaer Vice Chairs Michael Cromartie Dr. Elizabeth H. Prodromou Nina Shea Dr. Khaled M. Abou El Fadl Preeta D. Bansal Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Dr. Richard D. Land Bishop Ricardo Ramirez John V. Hanford, III, ex officio, non-voting member Executive Director Joseph R. Crapa UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Staff Tad Stahnke, Deputy Director for Policy David Dettoni, Deputy Director for Outreach Judith Ingram, Director of Communications Holly Smithson, Director of Government Affairs Carmelita Hines, Director of Administration Patricia Carley, Associate Director for Policy Angela Stephens, Assistant Communications Director Dwight Bashir, Senior Policy Analyst Catherine Cosman, Senior Policy Analyst Deborah DuCre, Receptionist Scott Flipse, Senior Policy Analyst Julia Kirby, Middle East Researcher Mindy Larmore, East Asia Researcher Tiffany Lynch, Research Assistant Jacqueline A. Mitchell, Executive Assistant Allison Salyer, Legislative Assistant Stephen R. Snow, Senior Policy Analyst Christopher Swift, Researcher UNITED STATES COMMIssION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Washington, DC, May 1, 2007 The PRESIDENT The White House DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: On behalf of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, I am transmitting to you the annual report, prepared in compliance with section 202(a)(2) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, 22 U.S.C. 6401 et seq., P.L. 105-292, as amended by P.L. 106-55 and P.L. 107-228. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you this Report, and the policy recommendations that it contains. Sincerely, Felice D. Gaer Chair Enclosure UNITED STATES COMMIssION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Washington, DC, May 1, 2007 Hon. CONDOLEEZZA RICE Secretary of State Department of State DEAR MADAME SECRETARY: On behalf of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, I am transmitting to you the annual report, prepared in compliance with section 202(a)(2) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, 22 U.S.C. 6401 et seq., P.L. 105-292, as amended by P.L. 106-55 and P.L. 107-228. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you this Report, and the policy recommendations that it contains. Sincerely, Felice D. Gaer Chair Enclosure RUSSIA UNITED STATES COMMIssION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Washington, DC, May 1, 2007 Hon. NANCY PELOSI Speaker of the House U.S. House of Representative DEAR MS. PELOSI: On behalf of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, I am transmitting to you the annual report, prepared in compliance with section 202(a)(2) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, 22 U.S.C. 6401 et seq., P.L. 105-292, as amended by P.L. 106-55 and P.L. 107-228. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you this Report, and the policy recommendations that it contains. Sincerely, Felice D. Gaer Chair Enclosure UNITED STATES COMMIssION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Washington, DC, May 1, 2007 Hon. ROBERT BYRD President Pro Tempore U.S. Senate DEAR MR. BYRD: On behalf of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, I am transmitting to you the annual report, prepared in compliance with section 202(a)(2) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, 22 U.S.C. 6401 et seq., P.L. 105-292, as amended by P.L. 106-55 and P.L. 107-228. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you this Report, and the policy recom- mendations that it contains. Sincerely, Felice D. Gaer Chair Enclosure The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) to monitor violations of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in IRFA and set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress. ABOUT THE COMMISSION The Commission is the first government commission Commissioners bring a wealth of expertise and expe- in the world with the sole mission of reviewing and making rience in foreign affairs, human rights, religious freedom, policy recommendations on the facts and circumstances and international law; the membership also reflects the of violations of religious freedom globally. The Commis- religious diversity of the United States. sion’s impact and success in accomplishing its mission is In June of 2006, Michael Cromartie completed his achieved through its efforts to bring advice and account- term as the Chair of the Commission, during which Felice ability to U.S. foreign policy in the promotion of religious D. Gaer and Nina Shea served as Vice Chairs. In July 2006, freedom abroad. By providing reliable information and Felice D. Gaer became Chair, and Michael Cromartie, analysis, and careful and specific policy recommendations, Dr. Elizabeth H. Prodromou, and Nina Shea became Vice the Commission provides the U.S. government and the Chairs. Commissioners serve a two-year term and can American public with the tools necessary to promote this be reappointed. fundamental freedom throughout the world. In carrying out its mandate, the Commission reviews In the words of a key drafter of IRFA, the Commission information on violations of religious freedom as presented was established for the purpose of ensuring “that the Presi- in the Department of State’s Country Reports on Human dent and the Congress receive independent recommenda- Rights Practices and its Annual Report on International tions and, where necessary, criticism of American policy Religious Freedom. The Commission also consults regu- that does not promote international religious freedom.”1 larly with State Department and National Security Council The Commission, which began its work in May 1999, is officials, U.S. Ambassadors, and officials of foreign govern- not a part of the State Department and is independent from ments, as well as with representatives of religious com- the Executive Branch. munities and institutions, human rights groups, other non- The Commission is composed of 10 members. Three governmental organizations, academics, and other policy are appointed by the President. Three are appointed by experts. It visits foreign countries to examine religious the President pro tempore of the Senate, of which two are freedom conditions firsthand. The Commission also holds appointed upon the recommendation of the Senate Minor- public hearings, briefings and roundtables. ity Leader. Three are appointed by the Speaker of the House The Commission has met with President George W. of Representatives, of which two are appointed upon the Bush and senior members of his Administration, including recommendation of the House Minority Leader. The the Secretary of State and the National Security Advisor, system of appointments thus provides that leaders of to discuss its findings and recommendations. The Commis- the party in the White House appoint five voting sion also briefs Members of Congress, U.S. Ambassadors, members, and leaders of the other party appoint four. and officials from international organizations. In addition, The Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious the Commission testifies before Congress, participates Freedom serves ex officio as a non-voting member. with U.S. delegations to international meetings and 1 Congressional Record, S12999, November 12, 1998. conferences, helps provide training to Foreign Service of- ficers and other U.S. officials, and advises the Administra- tion and Members of Congress and their staff on executive and legislative initiatives. The Commission raises issues and brings its findings and recommendations to the American public through its public speaking activities, press conferences, other public events such as roundtables and briefings, its publications, Web site, and media outreach. During this reporting period the Commission’s activities were covered by the Christian Science Monitor, International Herald Tribune, Miami Herald, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, the wires, National Public Radio, and PBS, to name a few. Commissioners reside throughout the United States, and the Commission has traveled around the country to hold public hearings, public meetings, and other activities to inform the American people of its work. While the work of the Commission is conducted year round, the Commission delivers an annual report of its policy recommendations in May to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. This report covers the period May 2006 – April 2007. UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM May 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction: The Commission’s Role in Advancing Religious Freedom . .1 Turkey . 7 Iraq. 27 The Russian Federation . 41 IRFA and the U.S. Refugee and Asylum Programs . 57 Countries of Particular Concern and the Commission Watch List . 69 The State Department’s Annual Report on International Religious Freedom . 79 Country Reports: AFRICA. 83 Eritrea . 83 Nigeria. 87 Sudan . 92 Country