Hillary Clinton: The United States will continue to ensure freedom of religion

The US administration "will continue efforts to ensure freedom of religion in the world." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced this today, presenting a report on this subject published by the American State Department.

According to ITAR-TASS, the study covers 198 countries and territories and concerns the period from July to October last year. It, in particular, notes that "governments often violate religious rights by introducing deliberate restrictions and not providing protection against social violence and discrimination." As emphasizes, "some governments, for example, in Iran and the DPRK, strive to control religious manifestations, which is part of comprehensive control over all aspects of political and public life."

In Russia and in Belarus, "discrimination against specific religious groups or the preference for one religion to others" is noted.

According to Clinton, "religious freedom and tolerance play a role in the construction of a stable and harmonious society." “Hatred and intolerance destabilize. When the authorities violate the freedom of religion, and politicians or other officials use religion as a dividing factor, they strengthen the positions of extremists and fuel inter -religious ramps,” she said.