Pak on US Special Watch List for violations of religious freedom

January 04, 2018 22:00

The US has placed Pakistan on a special watch list for "severe violations" of religious freedom, the State Department said.

The announcement came as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson decided to re-designate about 10 countries as 'Countries of Particular Concern'.

"The secretary also placed Pakistan on a Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said.

No other explanation on Pakistan was available immediately.

"Too many places around the globe, people continue to be persecuted, unjustly prosecuted, or imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief," Nauert said in a statement.

"Today, a number of governments infringe upon individuals' ability to adopt, change, or renounce their religion or belief, worship in accordance with their religion or beliefs, or be free from coercion to practice a particular religion or belief," she said.

In accordance with the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, she said the secretary of state annually designates governments that have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom as 'Countries of Particular Concern'.

"Today, the Department of State announces that the Secretary of State re-designated Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as Countries of Particular Concern on December 22, 2017," she said.

-- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

2nd phase of LS poll underway amid heat wave concerns

The IMD has warned of heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in parts of West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh during the next five days.

'Modi's Speech Is A Response To Congress Obsession With Vote Bank Politics'

'You want to distort the very fabric of Indian society because you are obsessed with vote bank politics.'

So That's Why Sharvari, Vaani Are Looking So Pretty

Are these B-Town's most fashionable floral moments?

Get Ready For More Romance On OTT!

From Vijay Devarakonda to Kung Fu Panda, Sukanya Verma lists everything you can watch on OTT this week.

In Pictures - Man City hammer Brighton to keep pressure on leaders Arsenal

Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City stepped up their bid for a fourth Premier League crown in a row with a ruthless 4-0 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.