ABC AUSTRALIA, 02/10/2002 11:12:40
Washington told of countries which supress religion
An independent advisory group funded by the U.S. government has recommended that
the administration adds several Asian countries to its list of countries that restrict
religious freedoms.
The advisory group is the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,
created by Congress in 1998 to advise the executive branch on the International
Religious Freedom Act.
It wants India, Laos, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan and Vietnam added to the
list which is complied by the State Department.
The commission, says the Indian government had tolerated severe violence against
religious minorities, particularly against Muslims and in Pakistan, the government has
likewise failed to protect the Christian, Ahmedi and Shi'ite communities from sectarian
violence.
In the case of Vietnam, it says the Hanoi government is repressive toward all
religions.
Government policy
The State Department has ignored similar recommendations on Laos, Saudi Arabia
and Turkmenistan in the past, while denying that the decisions are political.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkmenistan are allies in U.S. President George W.
Bush's "war on terrorism".
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says the administration will take the
commission's advice into account, but makes no promises that it will act on it.
02/10/2002 11:12:40 | ABC Radio Australia News
© 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
