INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT 2022

• Recently, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended for the second year in the row to put India on a list (Countries of Particular Concern or CPCs) for the worst violations of religious freedoms in 2021.
• Earlier, the US State Department released a strong and critical report on human rights in India in 2021.

USCIRF

• USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US federal government commission, dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad
• It is an advisory body to the US Congress.
• USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report provides recommendations to enhance the U.S. government’s promotion of freedom of religion or belief abroad.
• It is Headquartered in Washington DC.
• Established by the US government in 1998 after the inaction of the International Religious Freedom Act, recommendations of USCIRF are non-binding on the state department.
• Traditionally, India does not recognize the view of USCIRF.

Key Highlights of the Report

• Country of Particular Concern (CPC): It is a designation by the US Secretary of State of a nation engaged in severe violations of religious freedom under IRFA (International Religious Freedom Act of 1998).
• Special Watch List: A “Special Watch List” country is one that is deemed not to meet all the CPC criteria but engages in or tolerates severe violations of religious freedom.
• The Report also includes USCIRF’s recommendations of violent nonstate actors for designation by the US State Department as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs), under International Review of Financial Analysis (IRFA).
• The report also highlights important global developments and trends related to religious freedom during 2021—including in countries that do not meet the criteria for CPC or SWL recommendations.
• These include the Covid-19 pandemic and religious freedom, blasphemy and hate speech law enforcement, transnational repression, religious intolerance in Europe, deteriorating religious freedom conditions in South Asia, and political upheaval that raises religious freedom concerns.

State of Freedom of Religion in India

• Freedom of religion in India is a fundamental right guaranteed by Article 25-28 of the Constitution of India.
• Article 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion).
• Article 26 (Freedom to manage religious affairs).
• Article 27 (Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any religion).
• Article 28 (Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions).
• Further, Article 29 and 30 of the Constitution deal with the protection of interests of minorities.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT