The United States Secretary of State has recently identified a collection of countries as “Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs)”, ‘Special Watch List (SWL)’ nations, and ‘Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs)’ due to perceived violations of religious liberties. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) makes recommendations to the Secretary of State regarding these designations, even while acknowledging ongoing violations in countries that have not yet been officially designated. They encourage governments to halt abuses such as attacks on religious minorities, communal violence, excessive imprisonment for peaceful expression of beliefs, transnational oppression, and incitement of violence against religious groups.
Controversy Surrounding India’s Designation as a CPC
In its 2023 report, the USCIRF controversially designated India as a Country of Particular Concern, alleging severe violations of religious freedom against various minorities, most notably Muslims, Christians, and Dalits. The report criticized some Indian laws and policies, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, the National Register of Citizens (NRC), as well as purported harassment, violence, and discrimination faced by those dissenting or protesting against their religion. India disputed this assessment, dismissing the report as ‘biased and motivated’ and reaffirming its commitment to the rights and freedoms of all citizens, irrespective of their faith.
Criteria for Assigning Religious Freedom Categories
The United States has consistently prioritized promoting freedom of religion or belief in its foreign policy since the enactment of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) in 1998. When assigning countries to different categories (CPCs, SWL, EPCs) they consider factors such as systematic, ongoing, and seriously egregious violations of religious freedoms.
Major Violators of Religious Freedom in 2024
Countries designated as CPCs include China, North Korea, Pakistan, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Myanmar. Algeria, Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam were marked out as “Special Watch List countries”. Furthermore, terror organizations like al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS-Sahel, ISIS-West Africa, al-Qa’ida affiliate Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, and the Taliban were designated as “Entities of Particular Concern.”
Freedom of Religion in India
The Indian Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of religion as a fundamental right within its Articles 25-28. It also asserts India’s status as a secular state and does not endorse any religion as the official national religion. Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution go on to protect the interests of minorities.
Global Perspective on Religious Freedom
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights underscores the importance of religious freedom. This article affirms the right for everyone to have freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This includes the freedom to change one’s religion or belief, and the freedom to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance, either alone or in a community with others, in public or private.
