The United States came out with its ‘Religious Freedom Designations’ on Wednesday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a statement that ten nations, including Pakistan and China were designated “countries of particular concern”.

Four countries were placed on the “special watch list” and a few organisations, including the Taliban, were designated “entity of particular concern”.

“In far too many places around the world, we continue to see governments harass, arrest, threaten, jail and kill individuals simply for seeking to live their lives in accordance with their beliefs. This administration is committed to supporting every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right,” Secretary Blinken said.

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We support open and just societies, in which all can enjoy freedom of religion or belief. Today’s designations shine a light on governments that violate religious freedom and require urgent attention & action. https://t.co/bwedH6YyEn

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 17, 2021

The ten nations of “Particular Concern” for violations of religious freedom are Myanmar, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan for “having engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom,” according to the State Department statement.

Algeria, Comoros, Cuba and Nicaragua have been placed on a special watch list for governments that have “engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom,” according to Secretary Blinken.

The Taliban has been designated as one of the “entities of particular concern” along with al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin.

The Taliban are yet to prove themselves as an inclusive administration that respects the rights of the minorities, women and children.

“The challenges to religious freedom in the world today are structural, systemic, and deeply entrenched. They exist in every country. They demand sustained global commitment from all who are unwilling to accept hatred, intolerance, and persecution as the status quo. They require the international community’s urgent attention, ” Secretary Blinken said.

We will continue to press all governments to remedy shortcomings in their laws and practices, and to promote accountability for those responsible for abuses,” he added.

The Secretary of State further said, “The United States remains committed to working with governments, civil society organisations and members of religious communities to advance religious freedom around the world and address the plight of individuals and communities facing abuse, harassment and discrimination on account of what they believe, or what they do not believe.”

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