USCIRF Report on India: A Biased Organization’s Views

USCIRF Overview
• An independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government agency created under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).
• Monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in countries other than the U.S.
• Assesses countries based on international human rights standards, including Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Distinct from the Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF), which is part of the U.S. State Department.
USCIRF’s Role
• Monitors religious freedom conditions globally through travel, research, and meetings with representatives of international human rights groups, NGOs, victims of persecution, and foreign officials.
• Publishes a report annually listing countries that meet the threshold for designation by the U.S. State Department as a “Country of Particular Concern”.
India’s Response
• The Indian government rejected the report, stating it was biased and peddled a motivated narrative about India.
• The USCIRF’s recommendations are not binding and are up to the U.S. Statement Department.
• The timing of the report has raised concerns about its agenda-driven nature.