U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the publication of the State Department’s 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom on October 26. She said, “The right to profess, practice, and promote one’s religious beliefs is a founding principle of our nation. In fact, many of our earliest settlers came because they wanted the freedom to practice their own religion without a state interfering or oppressing that practice.”
This year’s report examines how governments in 198 countries and territories are protecting or failing to protect religious freedom. It shines a spotlight on abuses by states and societies, and it draws attention to positive steps by many countries and organizations to promote freedom and interreligious harmony. This report also has a special focus on efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and tolerance. |
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