The United States kept Pakistan on a list of nations that “engaged in or condoned especially egregious breaches of religious freedom” in 2022.
The stated Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said “Governments and non-state entities around the world harass, intimidate, imprison, and even kill persons based on their religious beliefs. In some circumstances, they restrict the freedom of religion or belief to gain political advantage.
Noting that such activities foment discord, damage economic security, and jeopardize political stability and peace, the top diplomat of the United States stated that his nation “will not remain silent in the face of these atrocities.”
While announcing the names, he said, “today I am announcing that Burma (Myanmar), the People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, the DPRK (North Korea), Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan have been designated as Countries of Particular Concern… for having committed or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.”
He added Algeria, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam to the Special Watch List for committing or tolerating egregious abuses of religious liberty.
Pakistan was on the list of violators several years before it was moved to the list.
