Respect for religious freedom is both a core
American value and a universally acknowledged right enshrined in numerous international
instruments such as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Helsinki Accords, and others. In accordance
with the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, Congress mandates that the Department
of State produce the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, which details the status
of religious freedom in 199 countries and territories around the world.
The International Religious Freedom Report drafted by the U.S. Department of State is
a diplomatic tool to assess the state of religious freedom in each country against a global standard,
to highlight human rights abuses, and to reinforce the expectation that all countries protect
religious freedom, consistent with their international commitments. We hope this Report will prompt
improvements in practices to protect this universal right.