Pakistan categorically rejected its designation by the US as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) and raised concerns regarding the exclusion of India from the list.
Last week, the US designated Pakistan, Russia, and China, along with other countries, for engaging in ‘systematic’ and ‘egregious’ violations of religious freedom.
Pakistan Deeply Dismayed
Rejecting the inclusion in the list, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it was “deeply dismayed.”
It alleged that the designation is based on “biased and arbitrary assessment, detached from ground realities.”
The FO said it was “deeply dismayed” that the categorisation was based on “biased and arbitrary assessment” and was “detached from ground realities”.https://t.co/v5hVYeg8HU
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 8, 2024
Pakistan asserted that it is a pluralistic country “with a rich tradition of interfaith harmony.”
It stressed that the country has undertaken several measures to enhance religious freedoms and protect minority rights.
Questions Exclusion of India
“We note with deep concern that India, the biggest and serial violator of religious freedom, has once again been excluded from the US State Department’s designation list,” the statement said.
It further highlighted that the public concerns raised by international human rights bodies regarding India’s mistreatment of religious minorities had also not been taken into account.
“This conspicuous omission raises serious questions about the credibility, transparency and objectivity of the entire process,” the ministry stated.
It held that these kinds of “discriminatory, unilateral, and subjective” actions are ineffective and jeopardise the common goal of promoting religious freedom around the world.
Pakistan said that India had been left out despite a clear recommendation by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
USCIRF Objects to India’s Ommission
After the release of the list by the State Department, the USCIRF called for a Congressional hearing expressing disappointment at the failure to designate India and Nigeria as CPCs.
“In India, in addition to perpetrating egregious religious freedom violations within its borders, the government has increased its transnational repression activities targeting religious minorities abroad and those advocating on their behalf,” the USCIRF stated.
USCIRF has repeatedly raised alarm regarding religious freedom violations in India.
In December, USCIRF expressed concerns on India’s increased “transnational targeting of religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf” and recommended that it be designated as a CPC.
The suggestion came amid Canadian allegations that India was behind the killing of pro-Khalistan Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, and US’ accusation that India was linked to a foiled plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in on American soil.
Earlier, in its annual report released in May 2023, the USCIRF alleged that religious freedom conditions in India continue to worsen, and recommended the raising this issue during US-India bilateral meetings.
India rejected the report as a “misrepresentation of fact.”
Religious Freedom Designations
On 4 January, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken designated Burma, China, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as CPCs.
STORY | US designates China, Pakistan as 'Countries of Particular Concern' for severe violations of religious freedom
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 8, 2024
READ: https://t.co/XqVekAOXDf pic.twitter.com/3stEtrJynm
They were called out for either participating in or tolerating very serious violations of religious liberty.
Algeria, Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam were mentioned under the “Special Watch List” of countries engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom.
Additionally, Blinken listed al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Yemeni Houthis, ISIS-Sahel, ISIS-West Africa, Al Qaeda-affiliate Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, and the Taliban as “Entities of Particular Concern.”
“The challenges to religious freedom across the globe are structural, systemic, and deeply entrenched,” Blinken said in a press statement.
“But with thoughtful, sustained commitment from those who are unwilling to accept hatred, intolerance, and persecution as the status quo, we will one day see a world where all people live with dignity and equality,” the Secretary highlighted.