The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, presented this Thursday the annual report on religious freedom in the world, which denounces persecutions against religious minorities in China, Afghanistan, Brimania and even in Saudi Arabiaa great ally of Washington.
“Unfortunately, the report shows that we have a lot of work to do in many parts of the world, where governments are not respecting the rights of their citizens. Some continue to use laws against blasphemy and apostasy”, lamented Blinken in a press appearance without questions.
Specifically, the US foreign minister denounced that China “continues its genocide” against Muslim leaders and other religious groups, and gave as an example that more than 1 million people have been detained in internment camps in Xinjiang.
Blinken assured that the Chinese government “harasses” religions that are “outside the doctrine” of the Communist Party, and even Tibetan Buddhist, Islamic Christian and Taoist places of worship have been destroyed.
He also said that religious freedom in Afghanistan “has deteriorated dramatically” since the Taliban seized power last year after the US withdrew. given that women’s access to education and work has been limited.
Blinken recalled that in March the State Department classified as genocide Burmese army attacks on the Rohingya Muslim community in 2017.
And he even referred to a historic ally of the US, such as Saudi Arabia, where he applauded “recent attempts to increase interreligious dialogues”, but lamented that “in practice any faith other than Islam remains illegal”.
Blinken also said that some Indian officials have supported attacks on religious minorities in the countryin a rare if indirect criticism of his emerging ally’s record.
“In India, the largest democracy in the world and home to a great diversity of religions, we have seen increasing attacks on people in places of worship,” Blinken said.
In addition, he considered that all countries, including the United States and European nations, have to “do more” to combat “growing forms of hatred” against Jews and Muslims.
The report also noted that there was concern about India’s historic rival, Pakistan, which is on the religious freedom blacklist. Blinken said at least 16 people were sentenced to death in Pakistan last year on blasphemy charges, though no one was executed.
Blinken applauded the efforts of some countries, such as Moroccowhere he said that there are initiatives to renew the Jewish heritage; Taiwan, where you can denounce employers who do not allow a weekly rest day to attend a religious service; either Iraqwhere Pope Francis toured the country last year.
“USA will continue to defend religious freedom in the world. We will continue to work everywhere, with governments, multilateral organizations and civil society to achieve this”, concluded Blinken.
(With information from EFE)
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Source-www.infobae.com