Washington, 23 August 2021 (TDI): On August 22, the International Day Commemorating Survivors of Religious Persecution, Secretary Antony Blinken reaffirmed the responsibility of all governments to protect people from harm regardless of their beliefs and renewed his pledge to stand up for the world’s persecuted.
Governments have utilized COVID-19 as a pretext to target religious groups, civil society activists, opposition voices, and underprivileged populations in various circumstances. This day serves as a reminder that we must all work together to safeguard everyone’s right to freedom of religion or belief, and hold governmental actors accountable when they fail to do so.
The United States continues to prioritize efforts to promote universal respect for freedom of religion or belief, as well as support for global efforts to combat threats to freedom of religion or belief, such as the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
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