China's policy on religion criticised

China is criticised for increased repression of religion during the past year in a report by the US State Department on religious…

China is criticised for increased repression of religion during the past year in a report by the US State Department on religious freedom around the world.

The report, which Congress has asked to be made annually, says that persecuted groups in China, such as Falun Gong, were subject to "harassment, extortion, prolonged detention, physical abuse and incarceration in prison or in `re-education through labour' camps". There were "credible reports of religious detainees being beaten and tortured". The report says "much of the world's population lives in countries in which the right to religious freedom is restricted or prohibited". This situation exists even though 144 countries belong to an international covenant that acknowledges the right of all citizens to religious freedom.

Afghanistan, Burma and Iraq are described as having especially repressive methods against religious minorities. Other countries reported to have varying degrees of repression include Cuba, North Korea and Vietnam. Islamic countries criticised for repression include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Sudan.

The Arab population in Israel is described as being subjected to "various forms of discrimination". The report on Ireland says: "Both government policy and the generally amicable relationship among religions in society contribute to the free practice of religion."

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It says that "adherence to Roman Catholicism can be politically advantageous because of the country's history and tradition as a predominantly Catholic country and society. Members of the major political parties (Fianna Fail and Fine Gael) tend to be practising Catholics."

It says that, in Ireland, "immigrants and non-citizens encounter few difficulties in practising their faiths. In the case of non-Catholics, there are some difficulties associated with the availability of facilities and personnel outside Dublin". The report says while 92 per cent of the population are classified as Roman Catholic, this is a "nominal" figure.