Eleven Asian Countries Among the Most Repressive in the World Regarding Religious Freedoms

A new report from the U.S. Department of State identifies eleven Asian countries as some of the most repressive in the world concerning religious freedoms. John Hanford, a U.S. diplomat specializing in international religious freedoms, named North Korea as the country with the worst record in this regard. Hanford told reporters that religious freedoms do not exist in that Stalinist country, and reports of executions, torture, and imprisonment of believers continue. The report also mentions Burma and China as similar countries. It states that in Laos and Vietnam, there is a dictatorial attempt to prevent religious practitioners from performing their religious duties. Additionally, the report notes that Pakistan treats religious minorities and followers of unrecognized religions with hostility. The Department of State accuses Bangladesh and India of ignoring the issues and problems faced by religious believers. Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia also discriminate against religious followers using certain laws. The report states that U.S. officials have asked Afghan authorities to include religious considerations and protections in the new constitution of that country. Hanford says that while religious freedoms are not overlooked in the proposed constitution, they are not fully guaranteed either.