Religious freedom is a core American value and a universal human right. It’s also a vital foreign policy priority, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said June 2.
“When the fundamental right of each person to practice their faith or to choose not to observe a faith is respected, people can make their fullest contributions to their community’s successes; entire societies are better off,” Blinken said.
But when governments deny this right, “it ignites tension, it sows division, it often leads to instability and conflict,” he added.
Blinken made his comments as he released the State Department’s 2021 International Religious Freedom Report. The annual report tracks religious freedom abuses and positive governmental or societal actions. The report also informs critical U.S. foreign policy decisions.
“religious freedom is the first freedom enshrined in our Constitution’s Bill of Rights.”
~ Secretary OF STATE ANTONY Blinken
Several countries recorded significant steps to improve religious freedom in 2021. Examples include:
- Morocco restored Jewish heritage sites such as synagogues and will include Jewish history in the school curriculum.
- Iraq welcomed Pope Francis for the first papal visit to the nation, and the pope led Christian and interfaith services in several cities.
- Timor-Leste‘s President José Ramos-Horta pledged to defend the rights of all citizens regardless of their religious background.
“Ultimately, this report is about spreading that kind of progress to more parts of the world,” Blinken said.
Abuses still widespread
Some governments continue to use blasphemy and apostasy laws to discriminate against religious minorities. Others, like restrictions on religious attire, curtail expressions of religious belief.
In his remarks, Blinken highlighted examples of threats to religious freedom, including:
- Burma’s military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the predominantly Muslim Rohingya. It also destroyed mosques, desecrated Korans and engaged in other abuses.
- Eritrea only permits four religions to practice freely.
- China continues to commit crimes against humanity and genocide of predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups.
“All societies, including our own and across Europe, must do more to combat rising forms of hate, including anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiment,” Blinken said.
Rashad Hussain, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, said no community is immune from abuses.
“Governments must speak out and protect the vulnerable and marginalized,” he said. “Religion can be such a powerful force for good, and it should never be used to harm people.”