A delegation from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recently visited Kazakhstan from June 22 to 26. The visit was led by Commission Chair Vicky Hartzler and Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi. During their stay, they engaged in discussions with government officials, civil society representatives, and religious leaders about religious freedom in the country.
In meetings held in Astana and Almaty, the USCIRF delegation stressed the importance of safeguarding religious freedoms. They also underscored the role of interfaith dialogue and cooperation in fostering peace and understanding within communities.
Commissioner Hartzler, a former U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District, and Commissioner Elsanousi, Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, contributed their expertise to these discussions.
The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan expressed its anticipation for ongoing collaboration with Kazakhstan's government and other stakeholders to ensure that fundamental rights are maintained for all citizens.
USCIRF is an independent legislative branch agency that monitors global religious freedom rights. It provides policy recommendations to key U.S. government figures based on its analyses and tracks their implementation. The commission comprises nine Commissioners appointed by either the President or Congressional leaders from each political party, supported by a non-partisan professional staff.
For more information about USCIRF's work, interested parties are encouraged to visit their official website.