State Dept. Releases International Religious Freedom Reports

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton introduced the State Department’s annual International Religious Freedom Report, stating that “it is our core conviction that religious tolerance is one of the essential elements not only of a sustainable democracy but of a peaceful society that respects the rights and dignity of each individual.”

Each report explains the state of religious practice throughout the world. For example, the Iran report said that “government rhetoric and actions created a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shia religious groups, most notably for Bahais.” The Lebanese brief reported that the government generally enforced constitutional religious protection, and that the constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens, but  tension amoing religious groups is attributed to competition for political power.

The report on Saudi Arabia indicated that “current laws and policies restrict freedom of religion”, adding that “according to the basic law, Islam is the official religion [and] there is no legal recognition or protection of religious freedom, [while] the government allowed only private practice of non-Muslim religions.” The brief on Syria disclosed continued discrimination of  individuals for membership in the Muslim Brotherhood, Salafist groups, and other faith communities that it deemed to be extreme.” Jehovah’s Witnesses have also been outlawed in Syria.

In Bahrain, the report noted that the constitution does not explicitly provide the freedom of religion, yet the freedom to worship is protected. In the constitution, there is a stipulation that there shall be no discrimination on the grounds of religion, but the Sunni Muslim population has enjoyed favorable status with the Shia population facing discrimination. In Iraq, the report described “societal abuses and discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice, [while] sectarian violence in some parts of the country had a negative impact on the ability of all religious believers to practice their faith.”

According to the State Department report, the Egyptian constitution provided for the freedom of religion and practice, and non-Muslim minority groups recognized by the government worship without discrimination, yet Christians and members of the Bahai faith, which are not recognized, face discrimination. Turkey retained some stipulations in the constitution restricting religion due to the secular nature of the state, and there have been reports of societal abuse and discrimination against non-Muslims.

For links to additional country reports on the region, please click here.