The United States has designated Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Cuba and eight others as countries of particular concern. 

This was released in a recent statement by U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken. 

“Today, I am announcing designations against Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom,” Mr Blinken said.

According to Mr Blinken, the designated countries and non-state actors “harass, threaten, jail, and even kill individuals on account of their beliefs.”

The U.S. secretary state added that “In some instances, they stifle individuals’ freedom of religion or belief to exploit opportunities for political gain. These actions sow division, undermine economic security and threaten political stability and peace.”

Mr Blinken said that the United States “will not stand by in the face of these abuses.” 

Mr Blinken also placed some African countries including Algeria, Comoros, and the Central African Republic on a special watchlist, while adding Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa and the Taliban government of Afghanistan as entities of special concern. 

“I am also placing Algeria, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam on the Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom.

“Finally, I am designating al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, the Taliban, and the Wagner Group based on its actions in the Central African Republic as Entities of Particular Concern,” he added. 

Mr Blinken said the U.S. would continue to advance human rights across the globe in the protection of its national interests and keeping with its values as countries that align are more peaceful and more reliable partners of the U.S.

“Our announcement of these designations is in keeping with our values and interests to protect national security and advance human rights around the globe. Countries that effectively safeguard this and other human rights are more peaceful, stable, prosperous and more reliable partners of the United States than those that do not.

“We will continue to carefully monitor the status of freedom of religion or belief in every country around the world and advocate for those facing religious persecution or discrimination. We will also regularly engage countries about our concerns regarding limitations on freedom of religion or belief, regardless of whether those countries have been designated. We welcome the opportunity to meet with all governments to address laws and practices that do not meet international standards and commitments and to outline concrete steps in a pathway to removal from these lists,” Mr Blinken added.