US sanctions Russia, others, terrorist organisations over religious freedom

WASHINGTON – The United States has designated Russia and nine other countries under the International Religious Freedom Act for violating religious freedom. Besides Russia, other countries sanctioned are Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan,  Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

The United States also placed  four countries, Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua on a Special Watch List for tolerating severe religious violations.

“I am designating Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

“ I am also placing Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom”, Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken said in a statement.  

Also sanctioned by the United States are terrorist organisations. The list  includes al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern.  

Explaining the rationale for the designations, Blinken said the United States will not waiver in its commitment to advocate for freedom of religion or belief for all and in every country. 

“In far too many places around the world, we continue to see governments harass, arrest, threaten, jail, and kill individuals simply for seeking to live their lives in accordance with their beliefs.  This Administration is committed to supporting every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right”, he said.

Each year the Secretary of State has the responsibility to identify governments and non-state actors, who, because of their religious freedom violations, merit designation under the International Religious Freedom Act. 

According to him, challenges to religious freedom in the world today are structural, systemic, and deeply entrenched. 

“They exist in every country.  They demand sustained global commitment from all who are unwilling to accept hatred, intolerance, and persecution as the status quo.  They require the international community’s urgent attention.  

“We will continue to press all governments to remedy shortcomings in their laws and practices, and to promote accountability for those responsible for abuses”, he said adding that the United States remains committed to working with governments, civil society organizations, and members of religious communities to advance religious freedom around the world and address the plight of individuals and communities facing abuse, harassment, and discrimination on account of what they believe, or what they do not believe.