Latest News
Joint Statement on Spain Joining the Global Equality Fund
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: The text of the following joint statement was issued by the Governments of the United States and Spain on the occasion of Spain joining the Global Equality Fund...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Iceland
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for freedom of religious belief and practice, as long as it is not prejudicial to good morals or public order. The constitution also protects the right to form religious associations. It names the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC) as the state church, to which the government...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Malawi
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion and provides for freedom of conscience, religion, belief, and thought.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Japan
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for freedom of religion and prohibits religious organizations from exercising any political authority or receiving privileges from the state. According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs (ACA), there are approximately 180,000 registered religious organizations with corporate status that received government tax benefits.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken On the 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good morning, everyone. Twenty-five years ago, President Clinton signed the International Religious Freedom Act into law. And that gave us a range of new tools to give voice to the persecuted, to empower advocates, to promote religious freedom around the world.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Mauritania
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution defines the country as an Islamic republic and designates Islam as the sole religion of the citizenry and state. The law prohibits blasphemy and apostasy and defines them as crimes punishable by death; however, the government has never applied the death penalty for these crimes.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saudi Arabia
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: According to the 1992 Basic Law of Governance, the country’s official religion is Islam and the constitution is the Quran and Sunna (traditions and practices based on the life of the Prophet Muhammad). The legal system is based largely on sharia as interpreted by the Hanbali school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence.
International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance’s Solidarity Visit to Lebanon
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: An International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) delegation paid a solidarity visit to Lebanon on April 26-27, 2023 to meet with government and civil society leaders as well as representatives of faith communities. Led by IRFBA Steering Committee Vice Chair Ambassador Robert Rehak of the...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Syria
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution declares the state shall respect all religions and shall ensure the freedom to perform religious rituals as long as these “do not disturb the public order." There is no official state religion, although the constitution states, “Islam is the religion of the President of the republic."...
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: 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: Mongolia
By State Newswire | May 16, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for freedom of conscience and religion, prohibits discrimination based on religion, and mandates the separation of the activities of state and religious institutions. The law requires religious institutions to register with authorities but provides little detail on registration procedures, leaving local authorities to decide most of the specifics of implementation. The law prohibits hindering the free exercise of faith but limits proselytization.
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.
The Attack on AHA Centre Convoy
By State Newswire | May 14, 2023
Release: We are deeply concerned by reports that unknown assailants in Burma shot at an ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) convoy under military escort. Just ahead of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, these attacks in Shan State come as the regime’s violence and...
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor publishes 23 press releases or notices in January
By State Newswire | May 14, 2023
There were 23 press releases or notices published by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor in January.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken at Freedom House 2023 Annual Awards Ceremony
By State Newswire Report | May 12, 2023
Let me start by thanking my good friend of so many years, Mike Abramowitz, for the honor of joining Freedom House tonight and helping you to celebrate the 2023 Annual Freedom Awards.
The Attack on AHA Centre Convoy
By State Newswire Report | May 12, 2023
We are deeply concerned by reports that unknown assailants in Burma shot at an ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) convoy under military escort.
Notice of Funding Opportunity: DRL Media Literacy in Europe
By State Newswire Report | May 12, 2023
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
On World Press Freedom Day, the U.S. Department of State Announces More Than 200 Journalists from Over 100 Countries and Territories to Participate in Flagship Journalism Exchange in 2023
By State Newswire Report | May 12, 2023
Recognizing the vital role a free press plays in a free and democratic society, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announced today – on World Press Freedom Day
Secretary Antony J. Blinken with Washington Post Columnist David Ignatius on the State of Press Freedom Worldwide
By State Newswire Report | May 12, 2023
The only thing better than having the Secretary of State on the screen is having the Secretary of State in person. We’re very happy that Secretary of State Blinken could join us today to celebrate, commemorate World Press Freedom Day.