May 12, 2005

US panel wants Pakistan blacklisted for violating religious freedom

"US panel wants Pakistan blacklisted for ‘violating’ religious freedom," from AFP, with thanks to Nicolei:

WASHINGTON: A US Congress-mandated commission advised the government on Wednesday to blacklist Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for alleged violation of religious freedom and beliefs....

What's that? Uzbekistan? That bastion of Islamic moderation?

The State Department annually blacklists countries for alleged religious freedom violations based on recommendations from the commission, whose 10 members are jointly appointed by President George W. Bush and Congress.

Last year, the department added Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam to the blacklist, which already included China, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea and Sudan.