Latest News
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Grundberg
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Pakistan
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: The constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and requires all provisions of the law to be consistent with Islam. The constitution states, “Subject to law, public order, and morality, every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice, and propagate his religion." The penal code sets...
DOS-OES grant application closes on June 30
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Reducing Lead Pollution grant opened on May 17.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken at Freedom House 2023 Annual Awards Ceremony
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Thank you very, very much. Good evening, everyone.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Kazakhstan
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: The constitution defines the country as a secular state and provides for freedom of religion and belief as well as the freedom to decline religious affiliation. The Committee for Religious Affairs (CRA), part of the Ministry of Information and Social Development (MISD), is responsible for religious issues.
Assistant Secretary of State Satterfield to Travel to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield will travel to Jordan from May 17-20, 2023. While in Jordan, Assistant Secretary Satterfield will advance key bilateral U.S.-Jordan public diplomacy efforts- such as promoting inclusive economic growth and education and...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Uzbekistan
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: Executive Summary Title. The constitution provides for freedom of religion or belief and separation of government and religion. The law allows for restricting religious activities when necessary to maintain national security, the social order, or morality. The freedom of conscience and religion law further...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Sri Lanka
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to change religion. The law recognizes four religions: Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity. The constitution and other laws accord Buddhism the “foremost place" among the country’s religious faiths and commit the government to protecting it while respecting the rights of religious minorities.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Maldives
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: 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. The constitution provides for limitations on rights and freedoms “to protect and maintain the tenets of Islam" and does...
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Nigerian President-elect Tinubu
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: India
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: The constitution provides for freedom of conscience and the right of all individuals to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion; mandates a secular state; requires the state to treat all religions impartially; and prohibits discrimination based on religion. It also states citizens must practice...
DOS-MOZ grant application closes on June 19
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Vocational School Training for Industrial and Commercial Institute of Pemba grant opened on May 17.
Subcommittee Hearing Announcement: “Examining the Fiscal Year 24 State and Foreign Operations Budget Request for Europe”
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: Washington, D.C. - The House Foreign Affairs Committee announced the Subcommittee on Europe will convene a hearing entitled, “Examining the Fiscal Year 24 State and Foreign Operations Budget Request for Europe" on Tuesday, May 23rd.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Nepal
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: The constitution establishes the country as a “secular state" but defines secular as the “protection of religion and culture handed down from the time immemorial." It provides for the right of citizens to profess and practice their own religion. The constitution prohibits converting persons from one...
DRL Enabling Workers’ Rights through a Just Transition
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: United States Department of State. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): DRL Enabling Workers’ Rights through a Just Transition. This is the announcement of funding opportunity number SFOP0009691. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.345.
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: Turkmenistan
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: 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. The constitution separates the roles...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Afghanistan
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: **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. All references to “the pre-August 2021 government" refer to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. References to the Taliban in this report do not...
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Bhutan
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: The constitution recognizes Buddhism as the state’s “spiritual heritage," provides for freedom of religion, and bans discrimination based on religious belief. The constitution states religious institutions and personalities shall remain “above politics." The law restricts religious speech and written communication promoting enmity among religious groups and requires religious groups to obtain licenses to hold public religious gatherings.
Assistant Secretary Phee’s Visit to Addis Ababa
By State Newswire | May 17, 2023
Release: Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee conducted meetings in Addis Ababa from May 14-16 with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations (UN) and the Government of Ethiopia to consult on regional and international efforts to help end the conflict in Sudan.