Trump Admin Releases List of Countries Guilty of 'Egregious' Religious Freedom Violations
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated several countries as violators of religious freedom on Monday, announcing new action intended to protect “those who simply want to exercise this essential freedom.”
Pompeo announced that the U.S. designated Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as “countries of particular concern” for “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.”
He also noted that Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua and Russia have been placed on a special watch list for “severe violations of religious freedom” and that Islamic extremist groups including al-Shabab, al-Qaida, Boko Haram, the Islamic State and the Taliban have been designated “entities of particular concern.”
“The U.S. is unwavering in its commitment to religious freedom. No country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity because of their beliefs. These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked, we will act,” Pompeo tweeted.
The U.S. is unwavering in its commitment to religious freedom. No country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity because of their beliefs. These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked, we will act.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 7, 2020
Sudan and Uzbekistan were removed from the special watch list due to progress in their respective governments, Pompeo said, citing “courageous reforms of their laws and practices stand as models for other nations to follow.”
“And yet our work is far from complete,” he said.
“The United States will continue to work tirelessly to end religiously motivated abuses and persecution around the world, and to help ensure that each person, everywhere, at all times, has the right to live according to the dictates of conscience.”
Content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of their original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on the Daily Caller News Foundation website.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
