Eritrea Sanctioned, Saudis Given More Time On Religious Freedom

Last week, according to the Associated Press, the State Department notified Congress that Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice had banned commercial export of certain defense articles to Eritrea because of its poor record on religious freedom. This is the first time that sanctions have been imposed under the International Religious Freedom Act. The African country was classified a year ago along with Saudi Arabia and Vietnam as a "country of particular concern" because of its religious freedom record. (See prior posting). However, the State Department also authorized a 180-day waiver of action against Saudi Arabia, "in order to allow additional time for the continuation of discussions leading to progress on important religious freedom issues." The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom urged the State Department to continue to press the Saudis.