Source: www.uscirf.gov
Date: October 29, 2025
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Washington, DC – As the Burmese military escalates its vicious war on its own people, its strategy of violence targeting religious gatherings and places of worship in Burma is creating destruction, displacement, and a reign of death. In the past twelve months alone, the Burmese military and pro-junta militia attacked a Muslim village in Sagaing Region, burning down 400 homes and two mosques, while in Chin State the army bombed three churches killing six civilians, including a pastor. More recent action has shown that even those from the majority religion are not safe. Dozens of people were killed and 50 injured when the junta bombed a Buddhist festival in northwestern Burma. Now, the safety and religious freedom of Burmese nationals in the United States is at risk as the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation is set to expire on November 25, 2025, potentially pushing them back into the hands of their persecutors.
“People of faith, especially religious minorities from Karen, Chin, and Kachin States, face egregious persecution if they are forced to return to Burma where rising violence is adding to the hundreds of Christians and Muslims that have been killed in attacks on houses of worship since 2024,” said Chair Vicky Hartzler. “USCIRF urges the Administration to extend and redesignate Burma for TPS to support the religious freedom of Burma’s religious minorities.”
The junta’s rising military actions against its own people are part of an effort to force participation in upcoming “elections” meant to legitimize its dictatorial rule that has seen gross human rights violations, including a genocide against predominately Muslim Rohingya.
“USCIRF condemns the Burmese military’s continued assault on its people and on places of worship,” said Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. “Without a safe country to return to or well-established refugee programs to rely on, religious minorities from Burma will be persecuted. TPS can save the lives of Burma’s religious minorities – Christians and Muslims – and frustrate the plans of Burma’s junta persecutors.”
In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the State Department designate 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 and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at