State Department Releases
State Department Releases 2006 International Religious Freedom Report
The U.S. Department of State released its eighth annual International Religious Freedom Report September 15. The 2006 report examines countries’ commitment to advancing religious freedom from July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006.
The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 requires an annual review of the status of religious freedom worldwide. The report to Congress documents governments’ actions that could be a barrier to religious freedom, including repressing religious expression, persecuting people for their beliefs or tolerating violence against religious minorities. The report also lists governments that respect, protect and promote religious freedom.
The report cites countries that have enacted legislation favoring the majority religion and discriminating against minority religions. The report also identifies as religious abuse the practice of discriminating against certain religions by describing them as dangerous cults or sects. (More)