Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today marked the first anniversary of the coup by the Burmese military - known as the Tatmadaw - that overthrew the quasi-democratic civilian government and plunged the country into chaos and violence. The coup exacerbated already dire religious freedom conditions for Burma’s vulnerable religious communities.
“USCIRF continues to stand with the people of Burma in condemning the military junta, which has only increased religious freedom violations since it took over the institutions of the state one year ago,” said USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza. “We urge the U.S. government to support the continued pursuit for accountability for the many human rights abuses perpetrated by the Tatmadaw, especially those committed against the predominantly Muslim Rohingya and various Christian communities.”
Last year’s coup plunged Burma into social and economic chaos and violence. More than 1,300 have died in the wake of the coup, and conditions for Burma’s many religious minorities—particularly the Rohingya Muslims and the various Christian sects of Chin, Kachin, and Karen communities—have deteriorated. The Tatmadaw has targeted houses of worship, faith leaders, and congregants in their brutal crackdown on anyone perceived to stand in opposition to the military dictatorship.
“In 2017, the Tatmadaw targeted Rohingya Muslims, who were systematically killed, raped, tortured and pushed out of their own homelands within Burma - and their villages and places of worship burned.” stated USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava. “Last February, the Tatmadaw unleashed violence and persecuted anyone perceived to stand in its way, including many religious minority communities. USCIRF once again urges the U.S. government to determine that the atrocities committed against the Rohingya constitute genocide and crimes against humanity.”
The impact of the 2021 Burma coup on the religious communities, including the Rohingya Muslims, was highlighted in an episode of the USCIRF Spotlight podcast. Furthermore, USCIRF’s 2021 Annual Report and November 2021 Burma Country Update elaborate on religious freedom conditions in Burma and provide recommendations to the U.S. government to hold Burmese officials accountable utilizing the international legal system, implementing targeted sanctions, and redesignating Burma as a Country of Particular Concern for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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