Here are the Countries of Particular Concern designated by the United States due to their violations of religious freedom.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, stated that the US foreign policy’s focus has been the promotion of religious freedom since 1998. (Photo: CNN)
Designated Countries Of Particular Concern
The US has officially labeled China, North Korea, and Pakistan as Countries of Particular Concern due to their severe violations of religious freedom.
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, emphasized that the promotion of religious freedom has been a key focus in US foreign policy since 1998, hence designating the Countries of Particular Concern is important.
Additionally, aside from the Countries of Particular Concern, Blinken also identified Burma, Cuba, Iran, and Saudi Arabia as countries that have either engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.
He not only designated Countries of Particular Concern but also designated specific groups like al-Shabab, Boko Haram, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern.
According to a published article by The Telegraph, aside from the topic of the Countries of Particular Concern, Blinken also stressed the importance of governments addressing issues.
Reasons for designating the Countries of Particular Concern may be such as attacks on religious minorities and their places of worship, communal violence, imprisonment of peaceful expression, and repression against religious communities.
The Disappointment Of The USCIRF
In a published article by Forbes, some countries, like Nigeria and India, were excluded from the CRC, SWL, and EPC list, which disappointed the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
USCIRF called on Congress to hold a public hearing on the State Department’s failure to follow their recommendations. The situation of religious or belief communities in Nigeria has been dire, with violations occurring beyond Boko Haram and the Fulani militia.
In India, concerns have been raised about atrocity crimes against Muslim and Christian communities.
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