Commission On International Religious Freedom Releases Report

Today, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom announced this year's recommendations from it to the Secretary of State on countries that should be designated "countries of particular concern" under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. Eleven countries found to be the most egregious violators of principles of religious liberty were named: Burma, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Put on a "watch list" this year were Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, and Nigeria. Also, USCIRF is closely monitoring developments in India, Russia, Sri Lanka and Iraq. Today the Commission also released its 2006 Annual Report on policy recommendations to promote international religious freedom. The recommendations of USCIRF were highlighted in a reports published in today's South Africa Mail & Guardian, and by Voice of America.