Witnesses Announced - Hearing on Religious Freedom in Syria’s Post-Assad Transition

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Hearing on Religious Freedom in Syria's Post-Assad Transition

November 13, 2025
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM ET
Virtual

Register

Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual hearing on religious freedom in Syria under the transitional authorities.

Eleven months since the fall of President Assad’s regime, religious freedom in Syria faces ongoing nationwide threats as Damascus continues its political transition under former leaders of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a longstanding religious freedom violator and U.S.-designated Entity of Particular Concern (EPC). This hearing will identify continued challenges to U.S. policy and religious freedom in Syria.

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Syria for the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List (SWL) for the then Syrian government’s systematic and ongoing violations of religious freedom in 2024, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). USCIRF’s July 2025 Policy Update, Religious Freedom & U.S. Policy in Post-Assad Syria, documented escalating religious freedom abuses in the country under the new transitional authorities.

Witnesses will provide updates on specific threats to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) including sectarian massacres of Alawi Muslims and Druze, attacks on Christians and other religious minority communities, as well as address unfolding abuses such as the reported escalation of kidnappings and forced disappearances. They will also examine how the United States can leverage bilateral, regional, and international interests in its support of FoRB for all Syrians.

Opening Remarks

• Meir Soloveichik, Commissioner, USCIRF
• Stephen Schneck, Commissioner, USCIRF

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..