K E Y U S C I R F R E C O M M E N DAT I O N S I M P L E M E N T E D I N 2 0 2 0 A N D E A R LY 2 0 2 1 Muslims were evidence of genocide and urged the State Department to investigate whether these policies meet the legal definition for genocide under international law. In January 2021, after the reporting period, the State Department designated China’s treatment of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang as genocide and crimes against humanity. Adopting Laws and Passing Resolutions Related to Religious Freedom • USCIRF advocated for the adoption of several laws to promote international religious freedom, including the Uyghur Human Rights and Policy Act and the Tibetan Policy and Support Act. USCIRF also supported the adoption of a resolution calling for the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws and a resolution condemning human rights violations in Nicaragua. USCIRF applauds the U.S. government for taking strong action, including the developments highlighted above, to advance the freedom of religion or belief internationally during 2020 and early 2021. Pursuant to USCIRF’s new mandate, USCIRF will continue to track the implementation by the U.S. government of USCIRF recommendations and their effectiveness, to the extent practicable. To support continued advancement of religious freedom globally, USCIRF encourages the Biden administration and Congress to continue to implement USCIRF’s recommendations, including those detailed throughout this report. USCIRF | ANNUAL REPORT 2021 93