News from 2023


Announcement of Visa Policy to Promote Democratic Elections in Bangladesh

Release: 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. Under this policy, the United States will be able to restrict the issuance of visas for any Bangladeshi...


Undemocratic Actions Ahead of Cambodian Elections

News Release: The United States is deeply troubled that Cambodian authorities are preventing the Candlelight Party - the Kingdom’s largest opposition party - from participating in July 2023 national elections.


Undemocratic Actions Ahead of Cambodian Elections

Release: The United States is deeply troubled that Cambodian authorities are preventing the Candlelight Party - the Kingdom’s largest opposition party - from participating in July 2023 national elections.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Mali

The constitution prohibits religious discrimination and grants individuals freedom of religion in conformity with the law.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Kenya

The constitution stipulates there shall be no state religion and prohibits religious discrimination.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Rwanda

The constitution and other laws prohibit religious discrimination and provide for freedom of religion and worship.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Zambia

The constitution declares the country a Christian nation but also provides for religious freedom and upholds the country’s multireligious composition.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Senegal

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.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Eswatini

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.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Djibouti

The constitution establishes Islam as the state religion but mandates equality for persons of all faiths.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Eritrea

The law and unimplemented constitution prohibit religiously motivated discrimination and provide for freedom of thought, conscience, and belief, as well as the freedom to practice any religion.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Burkina Faso

The constitution declares that the country is a secular state.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Angola

The constitution defines the state as secular, prohibits religious discrimination, and provides for freedom of conscience, religion, and worship.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Republic of the Congo

The constitution provides for freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religious belief.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Ethiopia

The country is a secular state; the constitution requires the separation of religion and the state, establishes freedom of religious choice and practice, prohibits religious discrimination, and stipulates the government shall not interfere in the practice of any religion, nor shall any religion interfere in the affairs of the state.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Mozambique

The constitution provides for the right to practice freely or not to practice religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Nigeria

The constitution bars the federal and state governments from adopting a state religion, prohibits religious discrimination, and provides for individuals’ freedom to choose, practice, propagate, or change their religion.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Seychelles

The constitution prohibits discrimination on any grounds and forbids any laws establishing any religion or imposing any religious observance.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Zimbabwe

The constitution prohibits religious discrimination and provides for freedom of religion, including the freedom to practice, propagate, and give expression to one’s religion, in public or in private and alone or with others.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Cameroon

The constitution establishes the state as secular, prohibits religious harassment, and provides for freedom of religion and worship.