US State Department Archives

State Department examines human rights issues in China, Myanmar, elsewhere

Mar 18, 2020

The State Department issued its annual country reports on human rights March 11, highlighting abuses in China, Myanmar, Vietnam and other nations during a press briefing that day.

By Mark Pattison

Smith, USCIRF welcome State Department report on religious persecution

Dec 24, 2019

A Catholic member of Congress and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom welcomed the U.S. Department of State’s redesignation of nine nations as “countries of particular concern” for carrying out or tolerating “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.”

By Catholic News Service

‘World of faith under siege,’ with threats ‘multiplying’ daily, says Smith

Jul 24, 2019

The world is “filled with people in need,” including the unborn, trafficking victims, those “suffering the agonies of addiction and abuse, people with disabilities and still others facing famine and disease,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey.

By Catholic News Service

U.S. and Britain putting a new emphasis on religious freedom abroad

Jul 12, 2019

Next week, U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will host the second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington. Last year’s event was the largest ever global meeting on religious liberty, and Pompeo said it was evidence that the administration of President Donald Trump has made religious freedom “a

By Charles Collins

Report details attacks on, abuses against religious freedom worldwide

Jun 26, 2019

The State Department’s newly released annual report on international religious freedom shows continued attacks and abuse by governments and societies against religious minorities in their respective countries.

By Mark Pattison

Irish nun receives Women of Courage Award for work in South Sudan

Mar 8, 2019

Spreading the Gospel in a place where hate or love are doled out based on tribal membership is a hard task but, since 2008, Sister Orla Treacy of the Irish Loreto Sisters has risen to the occasion. On March 7, the day before International Women’s Day, she was recognized again for her efforts.

By Jacob Comello