News from May 2023
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Turkmenistan
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution establishes the republic as a secular country and provides for the freedom of religion and for the right of individuals to choose their religion, express and disseminate their religious beliefs, and participate in religious observances and ceremonies.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Sri Lanka
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution provides for freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to change religion.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Pakistan
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and requires all provisions of the law to be consistent with Islam.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Afghanistan
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The United States has not yet decided whether to recognize the Taliban or any other entity as the Government of Afghanistan or as part of such a government.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Uzbekistan
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution provides for freedom of religion or belief and separation of government and religion.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Bhutan
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution recognizes Buddhism as the state’s “spiritual heritage,” provides for freedom of religion, and bans discrimination based on religious belief.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Bangladesh
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution designates Islam as the state religion but upholds the principle of secularism.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Maldives
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution designates Islam as the state religion, requires citizens to be Muslim, and requires public office holders, including the President, to be followers of Sunni Islam.
Launch of Education and Skills Development Working Group Furthers U.S.-India Cooperation
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Officials from the United States and India held the first meeting of the U.S.-India Education and Skills Development Working Group in hybrid format on May 22.
Announcement of Visa Policy to Promote Democratic Elections in Bangladesh
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Today, I am announcing a new visa policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) (“3C”) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair, and peaceful national elections.
Advancing the Minerals Security Partnership with Argentina and the Private Sector
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
To advance the goals of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a collaboration of 13 governments to catalyze public and private investment in critical mineral supply chains globally, Under Secretary Jose W. Fernandez convened an online discussion with Argentine Secretary of Mining María Fernanda Ávila, international private sector representatives, and MSP partners to discuss critical minerals projects in Argentina.
Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Verma to Meet with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Grandi
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Deputy Secretary Verma will meet with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi where they will discuss the current situation in the Western Hemisphere with a particular focus on the lifting of Title 42, exchange notes on the global humanitarian situation, and review global refugee resettlement operations.
Launch of “Movilidad Segura” Website for Information on Regional Processing Centers
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
As one important step towards operationalizing the regional processing centers initiative, our international organization partners launched the MovilidadSegura.org website today.
U.S. Relations With Paraguay
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
More information about Paraguay is available on the Paraguay Country Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
Paraguay National Day
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm wishes and congratulations to the people of Paraguay on the anniversary of your independence.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saint Kitts and Nevis
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution provides for freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Barbados
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution and other laws provide for freedom of religion, including the freedom to change one’s religion, and it prohibits discrimination based on religious belief.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Bolivia
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution stipulates the state is independent of religion and provides for “freedom of thought, spirituality, religion, and worship, expressed individually or collectively, in public and in private.”
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saint Lucia
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution provides for freedom of religion and individuals’ right to change, manifest, and propagate the religion of their choosing.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Chile
By State Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The constitution provides for freedom of conscience and worship. Religion and state are separate.