International Religious Freedom Report Archives

Why do Christians hesitate to rise up on anti-Christian persecution?

Analysis
August 18, 2017

In general, when communities experience hatred or persecution, enlightened people want them to speak out, knowing we need them to hold our feet to the fire. So why do some Christians hesitate to do precisely that about the global pattern of anti-Christian persecution, documented again this week in a new State Department report?

Verdict on first religious freedom report under Trump: Great rhetoric, what do we do?

Analysis
August 16, 2017

Given that President Donald Trump repeatedly has vowed to make defending religious freedom a key element of U.S. foreign policy, release of the first State Department International Religious Freedom Report on his watch was keenly anticipated. Overall, observers say there’s good stuff in it, but it still leaves the basic question unanswered: Having named the problem, what are we going to do about it?

U.S. State Department decries Islamic State ‘genocide’ of Christians, others

Associated Press, Church in the US
August 15, 2017

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the United States promotes religious freedom as a moral imperative. “As importantly, we promote religious freedom because countries that effectively safeguard this human right are more stable, economically vibrant, and peaceful,” — Tillerson continued — “The failure of governments to protect this right breeds instability, terrorism, and violence.”

Religious freedom report highlights threat of ‘Islamic hyper-extremism’

Global Church
November 28, 2016

A new report from the papal charity Aid to the Church in Need finds a mounting spiral of violence and persecution for religious reasons around the world, including what it describes as the lethal impact of the rise of “Islamist hyper-extremism.”

Religious freedom advocates want US to put teeth into its rhetoric

Catholic News Agency, Global Church
August 17, 2016

Religious freedom advocates are praising the U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom report, but also calling on the administration to put teeth into its rhetoric with steps such as targeted sanctions, visa denials, and other measures.

US takes aim at blasphemy and apostasy laws in Muslim states

Associated Press
August 11, 2016

The Obama administration is attempting to point out and reduce blasphemy and apostasy laws around the world in an effort to promote freedom of religion.