Designation of Countries of Particular Concern Under the International Religious Freedom Act

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell has designated six countries as “countries of particular concern” for particularly severe violations of religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act. Those countries are Burma, China, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and Sudan. Last year, these six countries were also designated. Regrettably, the status of religious freedom has not significantly improved in any of these countries since that time.

The designation of “countries of particular concern” is just one of many tools the U.S. Government uses to address religious persecution and bring pressure on those governments which are responsible. The Secretary can make or remove a designation at any time, depending on changing conditions in a particular country as well as on how responsive its government is in addressing problems.

Advancing religious freedom remains a high priority of U.S. foreign policy, both as a universal human right and as a cornerstone of stable and free societies. The State Department also continues to promote religious freedom through the production of the annual International Religious Freedom Report, the annual Human Rights Report, the development of a broad range of strategies to address both systemic issues and specific incidents of persecution, and regular negotiations with many governments that repress the freedom of religious belief and practice.