Monday, July 28, 2014

International Religious Freedom Report for 2013 Released

The State Department today released its International Religious Freedom Report for 2013. The Report reviews the religious freedom records of nearly 200 countries. Secretary of State Kerry spoke extensively at the roll out of the Report. (Full text of remarks.) Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Tom Malinowski followed up and answered reporters' questions. (Full text.)

The Report's Executive Summary reads in part:
In 2013, the world witnessed the largest displacement of religious communities in recent memory. In almost every corner of the globe, millions of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and others representing a range of faiths were forced from their homes on account of their religious beliefs. Out of fear or by force, entire neighborhoods are emptying of residents. Communities are disappearing from their traditional and historic homes and dispersing across the geographic map. In conflict zones, in particular, this mass displacement has become a pernicious norm.