News from 2023
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Australia
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution bars the federal government from making any law that imposes a state religion or religious observance, prohibits the free exercise of religion, or establishes a religious test for a federal public office.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Azerbaijan
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution stipulates the separation of religion and state and the equality of all religions before the law. It also protects the right of individuals to express their religious beliefs and to practice religious rituals, provided these do not violate public order or public morality. The law prohibits...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saint Kitts and Nevis
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion. The government continued to ban public marijuana usage except for registered places of worship of the Rastafarian religious community or any place authorized by the Prevention and Abatement of the Misuse...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Suriname
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for freedom of religion. Both the constitution and the penal code prohibit discrimination based on religion. Any violation may be brought before a court of justice. Religious groups seeking financial support from the government must register with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Nauru
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution and other laws provide for freedom of conscience, thought, and religion, and for freedom to change one’s religion or beliefs. While the law requires registration for religious groups to conduct a full range of activities, religious groups stated they could conduct most normal functions without registration.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Lesotho
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution prohibits religious discrimination and provides for freedom of conscience, thought, and religion, including the freedom to change religion or belief and to manifest and propagate one’s religion. These rights may be limited by laws in the interests of defense, public safety, order, morality, or protecting the rights of other persons, provided the limitations are the minimum necessary.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: The Bahamas
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution states freedom of religion is a fundamental right. Individuals may practice freely the religion of their choice or practice no religion at all. The law prohibits discrimination based on religion. The constitution refers to “an abiding respect for Christian values" in its preamble; however, there is no state-established religious body or official religion.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Republic of Korea
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for religious freedom and prohibits discrimination based on religion. The constitution mandates separation of religion and state. The law requires 18-21 months of active military service for virtually all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 40, followed by reserve duty training. The law allows conscientious objectors to fulfill their service requirement by working as government employees for 36 months at correctional facilities.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Solomon Islands
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for religious freedom, including the freedom to change religions, proselytize, and establish religious schools. Laws “reasonably required" to achieve certain listed public goals may restrict these rights.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Eswatini
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution prohibits religious discrimination and provides for freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the right to worship, alone or in community with others, and to change religion or belief. These rights may be limited by laws “reasonably required" in the interest of defense, public safety, order, morality, health, or protecting the rights of others. The law requires religious groups to register with the government.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Sierra Leone
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for the protection of fundamental human rights and individual freedoms, including freedom of thought and religion, subject to the interests of defense, public safety, order, morality, and health, and to the protection of other persons’ rights and freedoms. The constitution also...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Marshall Islands
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides protections for religious freedom with “reasonable restrictions" to ensure public order and the rights of other individuals. The constitution provides for the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and belief and to the free exercise of religion.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Cabo Verde
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution and other laws protect the right of individuals to choose, practice, profess, and change their religion. The law provides for freedom of religion and worship and provides for equal rights in accordance with the constitution and international law. A concordat between the government and...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Senegal
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for the free practice of religious beliefs, provided public order is maintained, as well as for self-governance by religious groups without government interference. The constitution also states religious freedom must be respected and religious discrimination is punishable by law. All faith-based organizations are legally required to register with the government to acquire legal status as associations.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Palau
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for freedom of religion and prohibits the government from taking any action to compel, prohibit, or hinder the exercise of religion.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Trinidad and Tobago
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for freedom of conscience and religious belief and practice, including worship. It prohibits discrimination based on religion. Laws prohibit actions that incite religious hatred and violence. The law prohibits acts of sedition and seditious intent, which include engendering...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Rwanda
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution and other laws prohibit religious discrimination and provide for freedom of religion and worship. The law requires religious groups and faith-based organizations (FBOs) to obtain legal status before beginning operations. It requires new organizations to secure land and facilities adequate...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Brunei
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution states that while the official religion is the Shafi’i school of Sunni Islam, all other religions may be practiced “in peace and harmony." According to the constitution, the Sultan is the head of “the official religion" and is advised by the Islamic Religious Council “on all matters...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Mali
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution prohibits religious discrimination and grants individuals freedom of religion in conformity with the law. Following the 2020 coup d’état, the transition government adopted the Transition Charter in September 2020, which recognized the continued validity of the 1992 constitution’s definition...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Luxembourg
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for freedom of religion, including the right to practice one’s religious beliefs and express one’s religious opinions in public, and it prohibits compulsory participation in religious services or observance of religious groups’ days of rest.