US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced the designation of China, North Korea, Pakistan, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Myanmar as 'Countries of Particular Concern.' This classification is attributed to their involvement in or tolerance of particularly severe violations of religious freedom, as stated in a press release.

In a press statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the United States has prioritized the promotion of freedom of religion or belief since the enactment of the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998.

As part of the ongoing commitment to religious freedom, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has officially designated Burma, the People's Republic of China, Cuba, the DPRK, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern. This designation is based on their involvement in or tolerance of particularly severe violations of religious freedom, as outlined by Secretary Blinken in his statement.

Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, has designated Algeria, Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam as "Special Watch List countries" due to their engagement in or tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom.

Additionally, Blinken has designated several groups as 'Entities of Particular Concern,' including al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS-Sahel, ISIS-West Africa, al-Qa'ida affiliate Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal- Muslimin, and the Taliban.

Secretary Blinken acknowledged that significant religious freedom violations occur in nations not specifically designated. He underscored the importance of governments ending abuses such as attacks on religious minority communities, assaults on places of worship, communal violence, prolonged imprisonment for peaceful expression, and transnational repression.

In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged governments worldwide to put an end to various cases of abuse, including attacks on religious minority communities and their places of worship, communal violence, prolonged imprisonment for peaceful expression, transnational repression and calls to violence against religious communities.

He acknowledged that challenges to religious freedom are widespread and deeply ingrained, describing them as "structural, systemic, and deeply entrenched." Blinken expressed optimism, stating that with thoughtful and sustained commitment, a world where all people live with dignity and equality can be achieved, challenging the status quo of hatred, intolerance, and persecution.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan has rejected the United States' designation of the country as a "Country of Particular Concern." Pakistan asserted its status as a pluralistic nation with a rich tradition of interfaith harmony, categorically dismissing the designation by the U.S. State Department. The Ministry expressed deep dismay, characterizing the designation as biased and arbitrarily assessed, detached from the ground realities of the country.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted Pakistan's commitment to religious freedom and the protection of minority rights, citing constitutional measures undertaken to promote such values within the country.

Image source: ANI