America has expressed serious concern about the encroachment of religious freedom in Pakistan and China. Also, in violation of religious freedom, these countries have been put on special watch list by the US State Department.
China and Pakistan figure prominently in the list of countries which have failed to stop atrocities and discrimination against particular religious groups in their country. The special thing is that India has been constantly questioning the excesses and atrocities on Hindus in Pakistan. In this sense, this is a major diplomatic victory for India. This step of America has proved India’s right that Hindus are constantly harassed and exploited in Pakistan.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that 10 countries in the world have been named as CPC under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Under this, those countries have been included which are indifferent to religious freedom or engage themselves in its violation or encroachment.
An official statement of the US State Department said that China, Pakistan, Burma, Iran, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Eritrea are the main ones. Five Asian countries are included in this list. The Secretary of State further stated that Cuba, Nicaragua, Comoros and Russia have also been placed on a special watch list. These countries are also accused of serious violations of religious freedom.
