The U.S. Department of State's (DOS) Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) released to Congress last week its annual report on the status of religious freedoms around the world.
The 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom provides a fact-based, comprehensive look into the current state of religious freedom in nearly 200 countries and territories. It "covers government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations and individuals, and U.S. policies to promote religious freedom around the world."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commented on the IRF report at a May 15 press briefing. Rashad Hussain, ambassador at large for the IRF and advisor to the Secretary and the President on policies and conditions related to religious freedom, also spoke at the press conference.
"This report assesses the actions of countries that are our partners and those with whom we have disagreements, evaluating all by the same standards," Blinken said, according to the transcript of his remarks. "Its aim is to highlight areas where freedom of religion or belief is being repressed, to promote accountability, and ultimately drive progress toward a world where freedom of religion or belief is a reality for everyone everywhere."
Countries the report found to have made progress were acknowledged by Biden in his remarks, the transcript reports. He noted Belgium's formal recognition of its Buddhist minority; Brazil's codification of religious freedom guarantees for Afro-Brazilian indigenous communities; efforts by Canada, the European Union, Croatia and other countries to combat Islamaphobia and anti-Semitism; and other efforts.
"Over the past year, we’ve seen real progress in some parts of the world on expanding religious freedom as people demanded their rights," Blinken said. "Civil society groups pushed for change and governments listened."
Blinken spoke also to countries and regions determined by the report to persecute religious minorities "using a host of methods, including torture, beatings, unlawful surveillance, and so-called re-education camps."
"Governments use anti-conversion, blasphemy, apostasy laws, which ban the act of leaving a faith, to justify harassment against those who don’t follow their particular interpretation of a theology, often weaponizing those laws against humanists, atheists, and LGBTQI+ individuals," Blinken said in his remarks.
The citizens, human rights defenders and civil society organizations that "stepped up to counter these acts, often at great personal risk," were thanked by Blinken in his remarks, including Campaign for Uyghurs and Uyghur Human Rights Project in China; lawyers in Nicaragua; teachers from Muslim, Buddhist, Christian and other religious backgrounds in Burma; and others.
"The United States will continue to stand with and support these brave advocates for religious freedom," Blinken said. "We’ll keep advocating for religious freedom in countries where the rights are under attack, both publicly and directly in our engagement with government officials."
Ambassador Hussain reiterated the U.S. commitment to defending religious freedom around the world, saying religious belief "can be such a powerful force for good in the world."
"Societies who seek to restrict it or use it to harm others cannot achieve their full potential," Hussain said at the briefing. "We vow to redouble our efforts to ensure greater respect for freedom of religion or belief for everyone, everywhere. And we will continue to stand in solidarity every day with all of those who are seeking to exercise their beliefs."
"Religious freedom is also vital to stable, secure societies," Blinken said. "When each person is respected for their beliefs, they are more empowered to reach their full potential, which in turn lifts entire communities and societies."
