Det amerikanske udenrigsministerium udgav mandag sin årlige Religious Freedom Report, der tager temperaturen på religionsfrihed verden over. Rapportens hovedkonklussion er dyster: Det går tilbage for folks ret til at tro og praktisere frit.
WASHINGTON D.C. 20. maj 2013: In its 2012 International Religious Freedom Report the US State Department notes that religious freedom is declining in many parts of the world. The report highlights a rise of Anti-Semitism, and points to the fact that Anti-Muslim rhetoric and actions were on the rise – particularly in Europe and Asia.
Speaking at its presentation, Secretary of State John Kerry said the report, “shines light on the challenges that people face as they seek nothing more than the basic religious freedom, the right to worship as they wish.”
According to the State Department report, the right to religious freedom is inherent in every human being. “Unfortunately, this right was challenged in myriad ways in 2012.”
Report highlights
According to the report, laws and policies that impede the freedom of individuals to choose a faith, practice a faith, change their religion, tell others about their religious beliefs and practices, or reject religion altogether remain pervasive. Numerous governments imposed such undue and inappropriate restrictions on religious groups and abused their members, in some cases as part of formal government law and practice.
Countries of Particular Concern
The State Department report contains a list of Countries of Particular Concern, which includes China, Burma, Uzbekistan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Iran and Eritrea.
In the case of Burma the report highlights incidents where local government officials have taken part in ethnic and religious violence which largely targeted Muslim communities in Rakhine State. Concerning China, the report states:
“The government harassed, detained, arrested, or sentenced to prison a number of religious adherents for activities reportedly related to their religious beliefs and practice. The government continued to strictly regulate the religious activities of Uighur Muslims. Government repression, including crackdowns at monasteries and nunneries, resulted in the loss of life, arbitrary detentions, and torture.”
