US puts Pakistan on Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom

The United States has placed Pakistan on ‘Special Watch List’ for “severe violations” of religious freedom. It is only country to be put under the newly-formed list.
Moreover, US also re-designated about 10 countries as ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ under its International Religious Freedom (IRF) Act. They are Burma (Myanmar), China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Key Facts

As per US, Pakistan was placed in this list because it continues to harass its religious minorities, tolerates extra-judicial violence in the guise of opposing blasphemy. Moreover it has state-sanctioned discrimination against groups such as Ahmadis. According to research, Pakistan is one of countries with most restrictions on religion.

Special Watch List

The Special Watch List is for countries that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom but may not rise to level of ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ (CPC). It is new category created by Frank R Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016. The designations are aimed at improving respect for religious freedom in these countries.
The Special Watch List designation to countries is step below designating it as CPC, which automatically imposes economic and political sanctions. The Frank R Wolf International Religious Freedom Act amended International Religious Freedom (IRF) Act to require President to designate ‘Special Watch List’ of countries deemed not to meet all of CPC criteria but who engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.
Under the IRF Act of 1998, US Secretary of State annually designates governments that have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom as CPC. These designations are aimed at improving the respect for religious freedom in these countries.


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  1. Raj

    February 10, 2018 at 11:34 am

    Trump administration in playing with Government of India’s antiPak Psyche. Trump seems convinced that , bashing Pakistan will make Indian Government happy and drive India further towards USA. They are trying to take India further into American fold , without making giving us real benefits.

    Both US and China know that they can benefit more from India than Pakistan.India should stay out of the trap and avoid running into US arms without getting real concessions. India should milk from both the cows , CHINA and USA. If India tries, China will also be willing to help us more as they will benefit more from not-hostile and neutral India rather than Pro-US India. Modi is failing to get this dual benefit by seriously sucking up to USA interests.

  2. Raj

    February 10, 2018 at 11:34 am

    Trump administration in playing with Government of India’s antiPak Psyche. Trump seems convinced that , bashing Pakistan will make Indian Government happy and drive India further towards USA. They are trying to take India further into American fold , without making giving us real benefits.
    Both US and China know that they can benefit more from India than Pakistan.India should stay out of the trap and avoid running into US arms without getting real concessions. India should milk from both the cows , CHINA and USA. If India tries, China will also be willing to help us more as they will benefit more from not-hostile and neutral India rather than Pro-US India. Modi is failing to get this dual benefit by seriously sucking up to USA interests.

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