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State Department Issues 2010 Report On International Religious Freedom

By Howard M. Friedman

Yesterday the U.S. State Department released its 2010 Report on International Religious Freedom. The annual report to Congress is mandated by Section 102 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. In releasing the report, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (full text) said:

Religious freedom is under threat from authoritarian regimes that abuse their own citizens. It is under threat from violent extremist groups that exploit and inflame sectarian tensions. It is under threat from the quiet but persistent harm caused by intolerance and mistrust which can leave minority religious groups vulnerable and marginalized.... [W]ith this report as our guide, the United States will continue to advance religious freedom around the world as a core element of U.S. diplomacy.

Assistant Secretary Michael H. Posner then answered reporters questions. (Full text of briefing.)

The report surveys the status of religious freedom separately for every country around the world (except for the U.S. itself). The Executive Summary highlights 27 countries in which there have been noteworthy developments, either positive or negative. It reports on U.S. efforts to promote religious freedom in the 8 countries the State Department has formally designated as "Countries of Particular Concern." (See prior posting.) However the Report did not update these designations. Secretary Posner, though, said that a new list will be forthcoming "in the next couple of months."

The Executive Summary reiterates U.S. opposition to continuing efforts by Muslim countries to obtain a U.N. resolution on "defamation of religions." Citing China and Uzbekistan, it also condemns "the growing trend of forcibly returning individuals from another country to face persecution or abuse in their home country in retribution for their religious activism." [Thanks to Joel Katz (Relig. & State in Israel) for the lead.]

Full post as published by Religion Clause on November 18, 2010 (boomark / email).