Press Releases

Release of the U.S. Department of State’s Annual Report on International Religious Freedom Report

September 18, 2006

The U.S. Department of State released the eighth annual International Religious Freedom report to Congress September 15.  The 2006 report examines 197 countries’ commitment to advancing religious freedom.

The United States hopes the report will serve as a resource for those who share concerns about religious freedom, Secretary Rice said.  “We also hope that it will serve as a source of encouragement to those whose plight is documented in the report and whose right to believe and practice and worship as they choose is still denied by their governments.”

The purpose of this report is to document the actions of governments — those that repress religious expression, persecute innocent believers, or tolerate violence against religious minorities, as well as those that respect, protect, and promote religious freedom.

The Annual Report on International Religious Freedom Report contains an introduction, executive summary, and a chapter describing the status of religious freedom in each of 197 countries throughout the world.  The report is a public document available online on the website: www.state.gov/g/drl/irf.