American report on freedom of religions criticizes France, Saudi Arabia, Israel, note improvement in Egypt
Regional-USA, Politics, 10/8/2002

The US on Monday issued a report on the violation of religious rights in the world in which it gives an important focus to the Arab region, in which it criticized Washington's traditional enemies like Iran and Iraq and also its allies like Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The Middle East is often listed under the title of " countries which show hostility towards various minorities or religions." The report, which was prepared by the US Department of State accused the regime of the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein of launching "a brutal campaign of killing and execution without trials and oppressive detention" against Shiite officials.

The report also indicated the maltreatment of followers of the "Assure Kildan community" in Iraq, especially under the form of political repression and compulsory evacuation.

Saudi Arabia had the greatest deal of criticism as the report said there is no "freedom of religion" in the Kingdom. It said that the Saudi Shiite minority is "politically and economically discriminated."

The report indicated an improvement in the situation in Egypt with remarks to that there are persons who are still harassed because of their beliefs in this country.

In Jordan, the report said that the Druze and the Bahaie communities are still not officially recognized and their followers are discriminated.

Israel was also listed in the category of countries which adopt laws and practices that imply "discrimination" in the area of religion. The report said that the majority of the non- Jew Israeli citizens, especially Muslims, Druze and Christians are still subjected to various formed of discrimination, most of which is of a religious scale. The report said that the Israeli military operations in the Palestinian territories resulted in not enabling certain Muslims and Jews from heading to the prayers sites.

Previous Stories:
  Arab-American and Muslim groups express concerns at meeting with Bush   (9/12/2002)
  Iraq human rights report   (3/16/2001)
  Saudi Arabia human rights record   (3/10/2001)

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