US Criticizes "Ongoing Religious Persecution in China and Russia... Concerns Over North Korea" in Religious Freedom Report

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The Joe Biden administration strongly criticized China and Russia for continuing religious persecution. It also expressed serious concerns again about North Korea violating religious freedom.

The U.S. Department of State stated this in its "2021 International Religious Freedom Report" published on the 2nd (local time). The State Department designated 10 countries, including China, Russia, and North Korea, as "Countries of Particular Concern" (CPC) at the end of last year. Russia was added to the list for the first time last year. North Korea has been designated as a CPC for 20 consecutive years since 2001.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized China in a speech that day, saying, "China continues genocide and persecution against Muslim Uyghurs and other minority religious groups."

According to the State Department, more than one million Uyghurs and others have been detained in Xinjiang internment camps since April 2017. He pointed out, "China continues to attack religions that it sees as contrary to the Chinese Communist Party doctrine, destroying Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, and Taoist places of worship," adding, "It even erects barriers to employment and housing."

Rashad Hussain, U.S. Special Envoy for International Religious Freedom, also criticized, saying, "Behind all the evidence and data, there are many reports of deaths caused by detention, torture, and physical abuse," and "The Chinese government continues to persecute Tibetan Buddhists, abusing, arresting, and torturing them."

He also pointed out about Russia, "Even after being designated as a CPC for the first time last year, it has not tried to correct this but rather intensified religious freedom violations." He raised his voice, saying the world sees through Russia's false pretexts for invading Ukraine and is witnessing brutal religious persecution.

The report also included content about North Korea. The State Department stated, "The United States has raised concerns about North Korea's religious freedom in multilateral forums, especially in bilateral consultations with countries that have diplomatic relations with North Korea," and noted, "North Korea claims to guarantee religious freedom, but information confirming human rights violations is increasing."

The report also included previous statements such as the UN Secretary-General noting that freedom of thought, conscience, and religion has been further restricted due to COVID-19 lockdowns in North Korea, and the UN Special Rapporteur stating that religious freedom is almost impossible in North Korea. The State Department mentioned, "Several sources pointed out that the situation has not changed since the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in North Korea published its report in 2014."

The Secretary of State annually evaluates religious freedom worldwide and designates Countries of Particular Concern and Special Watch List countries.