US concerned over religious freedom in Russia
March 21st, 2012 - 5:36 am ICT by IANSMoscow, March 21 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A US government commission on religious freedom has included Russia in a list of countries that require “close monitoring”.
The annual report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has included Russia due to concerns about extremism, treatment of non-traditional religions and hate crimes.
“In the past year (2011), the (Russian) government increased its use of anti-extremism legislation against religious groups and individuals not known to use or advocate violence.”
“National and local government officials regularly apply other laws to harass Muslims and religious groups they view as non-traditional. Russian officials continue to deem certain religious and other groups alien to Russian culture and society, thereby contributing to a climate of intolerance,” it said.
The report also recommended that the US State Department include 16 countries on its list of the worst violators of religious rights.
These include Tajikistan, Turkey, Vietnam, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, China, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Eritrea.
Violations of religious freedom in these countries were “systematic and egregious”, the report said.
The State Department annually compiles its own list of the worst offenders, which are usually fewer than those recommended by the USCIRF. The countries included in the State Department list can face sanctions.
The independent USCIRF was created in 1998. It prepares an annual report containing its recommendations for the US administration.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
pm
- US critical on religious freedom in Russia - Jul 31, 2012
- US asks Russia to review refusal to register party - Jul 29, 2011
- Amnesty slams Russia for human rights violation - May 13, 2011
- Russian gays challenge bill in court - Apr 03, 2012
- Eritrea tops list of 10 most censored nations - May 04, 2012
- US worried over rising extremism, intolerance in Pakistan - Sep 14, 2011
- Russia seeks extradition of arms dealer from US - Aug 23, 2012
- Russia world's most educated country: Report - Sep 12, 2012
- Russia warns citizens not to travel to Syria - Jun 21, 2012
- China criticises US report on religious freedom - Jul 31, 2012
- Russian law on NGOs intimidates rights activists : US - Jul 25, 2012
- US worst human trafficker: Russia - Jun 26, 2012
- Moscow set to curb drinking, have less liquor stores - May 06, 2012
- Medvedev congratulates Obama on independence day - Jul 05, 2011
- US looks forward to working with Putin - Mar 06, 2012
Tags: culture and society, government commission, government officials, international religious freedom, list of countries, march 21, north korea, religious groups, religious rights, ria novosti, russia moscow, russian culture, russian government, russian officials, saudi arabia, traditional religions, turkmenistan uzbekistan, us state department, uscirf, violators