U.S. Embassy
Avenida Kenneth Kaunda, 193
Caixa Postal, 783
Maputo
MOZAMBIQUE
PRESS RELEASE
Secretary Pompeo Releases 2018 International Religious Freedom Report
July 3, 2019 –Secretary of State Pompeo, on June 21 in Washington, D.C., announced the release of the 2018 International Religious Freedom report to underscore its importance and to call attention to the second annual Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C. from July 16 to 18.
The Annual Report on International Religious Freedom details the status of religious freedom in 199 countries and territories around the world during the calendar year 2018. In far too many countries, 2018 witnessed significant government restrictions on religious practice, as well as societal intolerance of, and violence against individuals on account of their religious beliefs. Even as this report documents abuses of religious freedom, the events of 2018 also show that positive change is possible and suggest that countries whose constitution, laws, policies, and practices protect religious freedom, as well as other human rights, tend to be more secure, stable, and prosperous.
Advancing international religious freedom globally is one of the defining challenges of the 21st century and is a top foreign policy priority for the entire U.S. Government. As part of this effort, Secretary Pompeo looks forward to hosting the second annual Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C. next month and will welcome foreign ministers and representatives of international organizations, religious communities, and civil society from every region of the world.
For more information about this press release, please contact the U.S. Embassy Maputo Press Office at MaputoPress@state.gov.
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