The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has released a new report on religious freedom and torture, aiming to apply international pressure to nations where religious minorities, including many Christians, face persistent danger. The report draws a correlation between religious freedom and rates of abuse and even torture.
The Religious Freedom and the Prohibition of Torture and Ill Treatment report details how “governments around the world continue to breach international law by engaging in torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment (‘ill treatment’) of individuals” based on religion or belief. It is vital that American policymakers and the public grasp the link between such violations and torture, the USCIRF says, for the U.S. to adequately address global religious freedom.
The report includes case studies highlighting this intersection. Some of the nations cited include Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the Sudan, among others.
This latest USCIRF report follows its larger 2025 Annual Report, released in March, which documented cases of torture and ill treatment based on religion or belief. A related database, the Frank R. Wolf FoRB Victims List, documents international cases of individuals targeted for religious beliefs. The USCIRF says that while the list is based on the best available data, it is not exhaustive.
“USCIRF continues to leverage the list to shine a light on the voices of victims and elevate religious freedom as a priority in U.S. foreign policy,” the report said.
Of the 2,330 people cited in the victims list, the USCIRF says at least 206 of them were tortured or abused in violation of international law, which draws standards from the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the Geneva Convention, which both outlaw torture.
Pakistani pastor Zafar Bhatti, 62, was one of those on the USCIRF’s victims list. He died on Oct. 5 after years of torture, abuse and medical negligence—just three days after being released and having his blasphemy conviction overturned. Bhatti had endured 13 years of harsh imprisonment for alleged blasphemy against Islam.
Authorities in Pakistan, which is designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the U.S. State Department for tolerating religious persecution of Christians, arrested Bhatti in 2012 after a Muslim leader accused him of insulting the mother of Muhammad through text messages—a charge he repeatedly denied, according to International Christian Concern (ICC).
After five years behind bars, Bhatti, who founded Jesus World Mission Church in the Punjab province, was sentenced to life in prison. After he lost an appeal, authorities increased his sentence to death. During confinement, he was allegedly tortured and experienced medical neglect. His lawyer said he developed diabetes, hypertension and vision problems, and endured multiple heart attacks and mental trauma without access to proper care. Bhatti is survived by his wife, ICC reported.
In addition to the Islamic world, Christians and other religious minorities also face harsh treatment and imprisonment in communist countries such as Eritrea, and even in some heavily Hindu areas of the world.
In addition to nations, the USCIRF maintains a list of “Entities of Particular Concern” (EPCs), naming radical Islamists terror groups such as Boko Haram, al Qaeda and ISIS-West Africa as examples of non-governmental entities that persecute those with whom they disagree. Of late, radical Islamists have created international alarm in Central and West Africa, where violence and bloodshed has become a daily occurrence.
“In response to such abhorrent acts, as provided throughout USCIRF’s 2025 Annual Report, the U.S. government should strengthen its advocacy on behalf of individuals persecuted in foreign countries on account of their religion or belief, including those who have suffered torture or other ill treatment,” report concluded.
The USCIRF was created in 1998 as a bipartisan agency established by Congress as part of the International Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Its role is “to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad.” USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations “intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief.”
