Vicky Hartzler Report Warns on Religious Freedom
Christians in China and other nations continue to live under oppression, according to a new report from a commission led by former Missouri congresswoman Vicky Hartzler. It lays out worsening conditions around the world, including in Russia and China.
“China arrests underground church members, mob violence is on the rise in India and Pakistan, leading to attacks on religious minorities and the destruction of their homes; Burma’s military bombs houses of worship; and Tajikistan denies parents the right to teach their children about faith,” said Hartzlier, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. “As USCIRF’s annual report shows, far too many people in key nations are denied religious freedom through unjust laws, discrimination, harassment, violence, and even crimes against humanity. The U.S. government must continue to advance religious freedom abroad to make a difference for those facing religious persecution.”
The report documents religious freedom conditions throughout 2025 and issues U.S. policy recommendations for the president, the Secretary of State, and Congress to advance freedom of religion or belief abroad. Congress mandated the commission’s annual report in the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Recommendations from the 2026 report include:
- Eighteen countries were recommended to the Secretary of State for designation as Countries of Particular Concern for particularly severe violations.
- Eleven countries were recommended to the Secretary of State for Special Watch List designation.
- Seven entities were recommended for designation as Entities of Particular Concern.
- Broad policy recommendations were made to the administration and Congress.
The top 15 countries cited by severity are:
- Afghanistan
- Burma
- China
- Cuba
- Eritrea
- India
- Iran
- Libya
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Pakistan
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria
“Religious freedom is a universal human right for all,” Vice Chair Asif Mahmood said. “Reporting on religious freedom conditions abroad is more imperative than ever. Government repression and non-state actor violence are on the rise in many places around the world; often devastating targeted religious communities and taking innocent lives. We urge the State Department to issue its annual report on International Religious Freedom and make its designations for countries and entities that violate this fundamental freedom to keep it at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy.”
–Dwight Widaman
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