On May 15, EDT the United States released its 2022 International Religious Freedom Report.
The United States is deeply committed to promoting and protecting universal respect for the right to freedom of religion or belief for all. This is a key foreign policy priority. Our release of the 2022 International Religious Freedom Report is an opportunity to highlight the importance we place on advancing this right.
The 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom details the status of religious freedom in nearly 200 countries and territories around the world during the calendar year 2022.
Freedom of religion and belief is both a core American value and one of the human rights and fundamental freedoms reflected in numerous international instruments. These include the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Helsinki Accords, and others. Governments are expected to act in a manner consistent with their obligations and commitments regarding freedom of religion or belief.
In far too many countries, 2022 witnessed significant government restrictions on religious practice, as well as societal intolerance of, and violence against, individuals on account of their religious beliefs.
Studies have shown that governments that safeguard religious freedom are more stable, economically vibrant, and peaceful. Conversely, failure to do so fosters radicalization and violent extremism, undermines economic development, and threatens social cohesion and political stability. We promote respect for freedom of religion or belief not just because it is a cherished American value, but because it is a national security imperative.
Even as this report documents abuses of religious freedom, the events of 2022 also show that positive change is possible and suggest that countries whose constitution, laws, policies, and practices protect the right to freedom of religion or belief, as well as other human rights, tend to be more secure, stable, and prosperous.The report is a public document. It is available online at www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/.
2022 INTERNATIONALRELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT
