US places Pakistan, nine others on violators of religious freedom list

[MenInG]

WASHINGTON: Secre*t*a*ry of State Michael Pompeo announced on Mon*day that the United States had designated ******tan, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turk*m*enistan, Nigeria, Nor*th Korea, Myanmar and Eritrea as “countries of part*ic*ular Concern” (CPC) under its International Religious Freedom Act.

The statement accused these countries of “engaging in or tolerating “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom”.

Secretary Pompeo also announced placing the Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Russia on a special watch list for governments that engage in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom”.

The commission’s 2020 report noted that religious freedom conditions across Pakistan had continued to trend negatively.

“The systematic enforcement of blasphemy and anti-Ahmadia laws, and authorities’ failure to address forced conversions of religious minorities — including Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs — to Islam, severely restricted freedom of religion or belief,” it added.

The report noted that nearly 80 individuals remained imprisoned for blasphemy in Pakistan, with at least half facing a life sentence or death.

After spending five years in solitary confinement for allegedly posting blasphemous content online, Junaid Hafeez was given the death sentence in December last year, the report added.

The report, however, acknowledged that last year they also noted “some high-profile acquittals” in Pakistan.

Additionally, the United States designated Al Shabaab, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, and the Taliban as well.

Placing Taliban among these entities surprised observers in Washington who predicted that this could complicate US efforts to finalise a peace deal with them.

“We have not renewed the prior Entity of Particular Concern designations for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS-Khorasan, due to the total loss of territory formerly controlled by these terrorist organisations,” Secretary Pompeo said.

The chief US diplomat also announced removing Sudan and Uzbekistan from the special watch list “based on significant, concrete progress” undertaken by them over the past year.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which recommends the designations, had downgraded India to its lowest ranking of “countries of particular concern” (CPC) in its 2020 report, issued in April.

The report, released in Washington by the federal government commission that functions as an advisory body, placed India alongside China, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

India was categorised as a “Tier 2 country” in last year’s listing. But the State Department notification, issued on Tuesday, does not name India among countries of particular concern.

The commission’s report noted that last year, religious freedom conditions in India experienced a drastic turn downward, with religious minorities under increasing assault. It also noted that the BJP government allowed violence against minorities and their houses of worship to continue with impunity and tolerated hate speech and incitement to violence.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2020

 

[Giannis]

Meh not surprised Trump left India and Israel off the list. Also where are the getting data of "forced conversions of Sikhs and Christians"? I can understand Hindus in Sindh as most of them are poor and there have numerous of such cases in Sindh however rarely heard of Christians facing the same in Pakistan and especially not Sikhs, most of them are in Peshawar and some Punjab and I've never heard of them facing those kinda issues.

 

[Mamoon]

But I thought Trump was very impressed and starstruck with Imran’s personality and made fun of Modi?

Looks like all the tweets and bombastic speeches at the UNGA and other international forums were of no use.

Another day, another humiliation for Pakistan.

 

[Mamoon]

We were told that Pakistan is “winning 5th Gen warfare” vs India and Imran was changing Pakistan’s perception and standing in international community while Modi was taking India downhill.

Great win, Pakistan.

 

[Mamoon]

But Imran beat Modi when it mattered most.

He won the “Melania Trump stood next to Imran while taking a picture but didn’t stand next to Modi” trophy.

 

[saeedhk]

‘We will teach Modi how to treat Indian minorities,’ H.E PM Mr Immy.

 

[saeedhk]

Meh not surprised Trump left India and Israel off the list. Also where are the getting data of "forced conversions of Sikhs and Christians"? I can understand Hindus in Sindh as most of them are poor and there have numerous of such cases in Sindh however rarely heard of Christians facing the same in Pakistan and especially not Sikhs, most of them are in Peshawar and some Punjab and I've never heard of them facing those kinda issues.

Forced conversions of Christian girl is also widespread. In the two month or so, at least five such cases have come to light. Most notable being Arzoo and Farah Shaheen and a few others. You will never see IK or Shirin Mazari talking about such cases. The media also chooses to ignore such crimes because the victims are non-Muslims.

 

[CricketCartoons]

The commission had recommended India too in the list, but Pompeo ignored that. We should have been included, as hindus are still fighting to have their religious freedom.

 

[Mamoon]

At the end of the day, no matter how much Pakistan does this “same page” drama, Pakistan will continue to have zero credibility in the international arena as long as its political structure is subservient to the military and there has never been a concept of civil supremacy.

It doesn’t matter if it is Nawaz or Zardari or Imran in federal power. This is something that PTI supporters fail to understand when they hype up Pakistan’s so-called improving image and profile under Imran.

In addition, Pakistan is known for protecting UN blacklisted terrorists and for treating its minorities like dirt.

On the other hand, regardless of the rising Hindu nationalism in India under Modi and the increasing anti-Muslim propaganda, it is still viewed as a powerful democracy where civil supremacy has always reigned supreme.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

At the end of the day, no matter how much Pakistan does this “same page” drama, Pakistan will continue to have zero credibility in the international arena as long as its political structure is subservient to the military and there has never been a concept of civil supremacy.

It doesn’t matter if it is Nawaz or Zardari or Imran in federal power. This is something that PTI supporters fail to understand when they hype up Pakistan’s so-called improving image and profile under Imran.

In addition, Pakistan is known for protecting UN blacklisted terrorists and for treating its minorities like dirt.

On the other hand, regardless of the rising Hindu nationalism in India under Modi and the increasing anti-Muslim propaganda, it is still viewed as a powerful democracy where civil supremacy has always reigned supreme.

India is considered a gigantic market first and foremost for both USA and Europe. We Brits for example would never jeopardise our own interests by harping on about minorities in that country. If Indians want to indulge in forced conversions or lynch minorities, well we would prefer it if they didn't, but live and let live what ho.

As for those countries Pompeo has highlighted, they have always put obstacles in the way of US commercial enterprise, they are not as accommodating as India in helping spread western ideals which would in turn sell our services and products. Of course they will be considered worse.

 

[Mamoon]

India is considered a gigantic market first and foremost for both USA and Europe. We Brits for example would never jeopardise our own interests by harping on about minorities in that country. If Indians want to indulge in forced conversions or lynch minorities, well we would prefer it if they didn't, but live and let live what ho.

As for those countries Pompeo has highlighted, they have always put obstacles in the way of US commercial enterprise, they are not as accommodating as India in helping spread western ideals which would in turn sell our services and products. Of course they will be considered worse.

Pakistan has put obstacles for itself on the road to economic development because of military interference in the economy. They run a business empire worth billions.

As long as Pakistan is not freed of their political and economic interference, it will not achieve the same global reputation that India has.

Pakistan is the 6th most populated country in the world with huge human capital potential. We have created problems and obstacles for ourselves.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Pakistan has put obstacles for itself on the road to economic development because of military interference in the economy. They run a business empire worth billions.

As long as Pakistan is not freed of their political and economic interference, it will not achieve the same global reputation that India has.

Pakistan is the 6th most populated country in the world with huge human capital potential. We have created problems and obstacles for ourselves.

Yes I agree Pakistan has put obstacles for itself, however the USA don't care about that, only thing they are concerned about is obstacles which block their interests.

 

[MenInG]

The Foreign Office on Wednesday rejected the United States' designation of Pakistan among "countries of part*ic*ular concern" (CPC) under its International Religious Freedom Act, terming it an "arbitrary and selective assessment".

In a statement, the FO said the designation was "completely against the realities on the ground" and raised doubts about the credibility of the process, citing the "glaring omission of India" from the blacklist. Such subjective designations do not contribute towards promoting the cause of religious freedom worldwide, it added.

It also regretted that the United States had overlooked the "fact that Pakistan and the US have been constructively engaging on the subject at the bilateral level".

A day earlier, Secre*t*a*ry of State Michael Pompeo announced that the US had designated ******tan, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turk*m*enistan, Nigeria, Nor*th Korea, Myanmar and Eritrea as CPCs, accusing them of engaging in or tolerating "systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom".

The commission’s 2020 report noted that religious freedom conditions across Pakistan had continued to trend negatively.

"The systematic enforcement of blasphemy and anti-Ahmadia laws, and authorities' failure to address forced conversions of religious minorities — including Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs — to Islam, severely restricted freedom of religion or belief," it added.

The report noted that nearly 80 individuals remained imprisoned for blasphemy in Pakistan, with at least half facing a life sentence or death.

The report, however, acknowledged that last year, they also noted "some high-profile acquittals" in Pakistan.

In its statement today, the FO said that "Pakistani society is multi-religious and pluralistic with a rich tradition of inter-faith harmony".

"Religious freedom and the protection of the rights of minorities are guaranteed by our Constitution and ensured through a range of legislative, policy and administrative measures," it stressed.

Omission of India
The Foreign Office noted that the report ignored the violations of religious freedom in India under the current government, saying that "state complicity in organised violence against the Muslim minority in India" was a matter of record.

Editorial: Is the world community willing to censure India for persecuting its Muslims?

"The glaring omission of India, where the RSS-BJP regime and their leaders openly disregard religious freedom and discriminate against minority communities in an institutionalised manner, is unfortunate and puts the credibility of the US report into question.

"It is no secret that attacks by cow vigilantes and mob lynchings of Indian Muslims take place regularly, with complete impunity for the perpetrators. Systematic demonisation, dispossession, marginalisation and targeted violence against Muslims using the communal slur of 'love jihad' in Hindutva-inspired India has become commonplace," the statement said.

"The findings and recommendations of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, as well as the US Congressional hearings on the maltreatment of minorities in India and the violation of religious freedom all over the country including in the Muslim-majority Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) were ignored by the US State Department," the FO noted.

It said that Pakistan's stance on the matter had been conveyed to the US.

Pakistan "believes the redressal of the rising trend of intolerance, discrimination, xenophobia and Islamophobia requires global efforts based on the principles of cooperation and mutual understanding", the statement said, adding that the country was playing its part in the effort.

 

[Hassaan HS]

Pakistan, Taliban violators of religious freedom: US

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Wednesday redesignated Pakistan as a country of particular concern (CPC) for violating religious freedom and also rebranded the Taliban as an entity of particular concern.

The Trump administration first placed Pakistan on this list in December 2018 and retained it in 2020 as well. The Biden administration, which came to power in January this year, has retained the old list with two changes, adding Russia and removing Sudan from the CPC category.

Read: Why did US blacklist Pakistan for religious freedom violations?

Countries are listed in this category for allegedly engaging in or tolerating “systematic, ongoing, (and) egregious violations of religious freedom”.

“I am designating Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom,” Secretary Blinken said in a statement issued by his office.

“I am also placing Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom,” he added.

Secretary Blinken also designated al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern.

Each year the Secretary of State identifies governments and non-state actors, who, he believes, merit designation under the US International Religious Freedom Act.

“We will continue to press all governments to remedy shortcomings in their laws and practices and to promote accountability for those responsible for abuses,” Mr Blinken said.

Via : https://www.dawn.com/news/1658739

 

[saeedhk]

It is well-deserved! This is not a conspiracy; we need to do a lot to make this country safe for minorities. I do not feel the situation is going to improve anytime soon because extremism is deeply-entrenched in the country and no leader is willing to speak up for minorities because nobody wants to be murdered by a Ghazi!

 

[seether1]

what a load of ******** but expected if your going to stand up to America

 

[YousafTheBeast]

It is well-deserved! This is not a conspiracy; we need to do a lot to make this country safe for minorities. I do not feel the situation is going to improve anytime soon because extremism is deeply-entrenched in the country and no leader is willing to speak up for minorities because nobody wants to be murdered by a Ghazi!

You take these lists way too seriously. You really think Sudan is safe for minorities? They were taken off the list because they’ve made ties with Israel (Americas daddy).

 

[LaLoco]

It is well-deserved! This is not a conspiracy; we need to do a lot to make this country safe for minorities. I do not feel the situation is going to improve anytime soon because extremism is deeply-entrenched in the country and no leader is willing to speak up for minorities because nobody wants to be murdered by a Ghazi!

Situation might improve but your agenda will find something else to pollute every thread.

 

[saeedhk]

An Ahmedi was shot dead just last week in Pakistan and we say minorities are safe! Biggest joke ever!

 

[PakLFC]

Yes Pak deserves to be on this list. Remember our Holy Prophet SAW told us if there is one good deed you do then always speak the truth. We must also say that many Pak non Muslim's do well too. It is never either black out white but generally we do have a big problem in how minorities are treated. Only way to deal with a problem is first accept it.