US commission scheduled to visit India to discuss and report on the conditions of religious freedom in the country has been denied visa by the Indian government. A three-member delegation of US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) wanted to make a one-week visit to meet with government officials, religious leaders and activists in India.

This is not the first time the USCIRF members have not been issued visas. The members, who prepare an annual report on religious freedom in countries across the globe, were denied the visas for the first time in previous UPA regime. USCIRF has been able to travel to many countries, including those that are among the worst offenders of religious freedom, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, China and Burma.

About USCIRF

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US federal government commission with commissioners appointed by the President and the leaders in both Houses of Congress.

USCIRF’s principal responsibilities include reviewing, through the lens of international human rights law, the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and making policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress.