Religious Persecution Brief for 08/20/2023

A summary of the news related to religious persecution from August 20, 2023, with footnotes to the sources:

1. Saudi Arabia: Mass Killings of Migrants at Yemen Border: Human Rights Watch reported that Saudi border guards have killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers attempting to cross the Yemen-Saudi border between March 2022 and June 2023. If these killings are part of a government policy, they would be considered a crime against humanity [1].

2. Future Bleak for Rohingya in Bangladesh, Myanmar: A news release from Human Rights Watch highlights the grim prospects for the Rohingya in Bangladesh and Myanmar. The Rohingya continue to face persecution and displacement, with little hope for a secure future [1].

3. USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Nepal: The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a report on religious freedom conditions in Nepal. The report provides an independent assessment of the threats to religious freedom in the country [2].

4. Religious Freedom in Tajikistan: Policy Options for a Country of Particular Concern: USCIRF hosted a virtual hearing on religious freedom in Tajikistan, discussing how the U.S. government can work with the country to address violations. This event follows the recent focus on religious freedom conditions in Tajikistan [2].

These reports provide a snapshot of the ongoing challenges and concerns related to religious freedom and persecution around the world. The incidents in Saudi Arabia and the plight of the Rohingya are particularly alarming, reflecting a broader trend of intolerance and violence against minority religious communities. The efforts by organizations like USCIRF to monitor and address these issues are crucial in the global fight to uphold the fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief.

[1]: [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/)
[2]: [USCIRF](https://www.uscirf.gov/)