July 31, 2012: Religious freedom in the world has taken a step backward. This is
the conclusion of the annual International Religious Freedom Report for 2011, released
yesterday by the United States State Department. The report was concerned by a global
rise in anti-Semitism, as well as the increased use of anti-blasphemy laws to restrict
the rights of religious minorities. US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said absence
of religious freedom can create a climate of fear and suspicion that weakens social
cohesion and alienates citizens from their leaders.
“It’s particularly urgent
that we highlight religious freedom, because when we consider the global picture and
ask whether religious freedom is expanding or shrinking, the answer is sobering. More
than a billion people live under governments that systematically suppress religious
freedom,” Clinton said.
“New technologies have given repressive governments
additional tools for cracking down on religious expression. Members of faith communities
that have long been under pressure report that the pressure is rising. Even some countries
that are making progress on expanding political freedom are frozen in place when it
comes to religious freedom. So when it comes to this human right, this key feature
of stable, secure, peaceful societies, the world is sliding backwards.”
Clinton
went on to say several countries transitioning to democracy are also struggling with
the issue of religious freedom.
“This goes from Tunisia to Burma and many places
in between. But take, for example, Egypt, which I visited two weeks ago,” she said.
“I had a very emotional, very personal conversation with Christians who are
deeply anxious about what the future holds for them and their country. What Egypt
and other countries decide will have a major impact on the lives of their people and
will go a long way toward determining whether these countries are able to achieve
true democracy.”