US agency reports heightened religious persecution abroad


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WASHINGTON (AP) — Noting an increase in persecution, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is recommending additions to its list of countries of particular concern.

In its 2016 annual report released Monday, the commission recommends adding Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, Vietnam and the Central African Republic to its list of countries "where particularly severe violations of religious freedom are perpetrated or tolerated."

The agency also recommends that the State Department continue to list China, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and six other nations as countries of particular concern, which may become subject to U.S. sanctions.

The report says, "By any measure, religious freedom abroad has been under serious and sustained assault" in the past year.

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243-v-36-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)--Noting an increase in persecution, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is recommending additions to its list of countries of particular concern. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (2 May 2016)

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