Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual hearing on the unique challenges that Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs) pose to international religious freedom (IRF) and suggested policies for the U.S. government to implement.  

EPCs have been a key element of U.S. IRF policy since the passage of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016, which added the EPC category to the U.S. Department of State’s available IRF designations. This updated designation category recognizes the persistent and global role of non-state actors in committing religious freedom violations, particularly through violence. However, IRF-focused discourse and policy initiatives often overlook EPCs in favor of addressing a foreign government’s violations of freedom of religion or belief.  

With these factors in mind, witnesses will discuss some of the ways that non-state actors—including those currently designated as EPCs—carry out violence and other actions that violate the right to religious freedom. They will also discuss policy options for the U.S. government to address, anticipate, and impede the capacity of current and future EPCs. 

Opening Remarks

• Stephen Schneck, Chair, USCIRF

• Eric Ueland, Vice Chair, USCIRF

• Mohamed Elsanousi, Commissioner, USCIRF 

Panel

• Aaron Zelin, Washington Institute for Near East Policy 

• Ebenezer Obadare, Council on Foreign Relations