The US Department of State has updated the list of governments that have engaged in systematic violations of religious freedom.The website of the US Department of State reports that this year they included ten countries including three republics of Central Asia Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as Countries of Particular Concern.
The news agency “Fergana” reports that Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia were also placed in the rating.
In far too many places around the globe, people continue to be persecuted, unjustly prosecuted, or imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief.
Today, a number of governments infringe upon individuals’ ability to adopt, change, or renounce their religion or belief, worship in accordance with their religion or beliefs, or be free from coercion to practice a particular religion or belief, — Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a press statement.
She clarifies that the list compiled by the US Department of State annually designates governments that have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
The previous similar document by the US Department of State as of 26 April 2017 also designated the aforementioned 10 countries and listed some other countries including Russia, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Vietnam as governments infringing upon religious freedom.
The report published earlier today also placed Pakistan on a Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom.