‘Violent Extremists’: State Dept. Slams Afghanistan & Pakistan for Radical Islamic Laws & a Lack of Religious Freedom
- Posted on July 30, 2012 at 11:44pm by
Billy Hallowell
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WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — The U.S. is criticizing allies Afghanistan and Pakistan for poorly defending religious freedom. Other countries, too, have drawn the ire of the American government, specifically when it comes to the treatment of religious minorities.
A State Department report entitled, “International Religious Freedom Report for 2011,” says, among other things, that Afghanistan’s courts interpret Islamic law to punish non-Muslims for exercising their faith.
And it cites Pakistan for issuing death sentences for blasphemy. Despite increased extremist attacks on minorities or even tolerant Muslims there, it says, authorities have rarely investigated perpetrators.
Monday’s report particularly highlights blasphemy and religious “defamation” laws. Here’s a brief portion of the executive summary of the report that provides more on the travails facing many of the populations residing in other nations:
In 2011, governments increasingly used blasphemy, apostasy, and defamation of religion laws to restrict religious liberty, constrain the rights of religious minorities, and limit freedom of expression. In Pakistan, individuals accused of blasphemy or who publicly criticized the blasphemy laws and called for their reform continued to be killed, including Governor Punjab Salman Taseer and Minister of Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian in the cabinet. Aasia Bibi, a Christian, remained in prison, awaiting an appeal of her 2010 death sentence, the first such sentence for blasphemy handed down against a woman. The verdict in the case touched off a debate within the country about the blasphemy laws, with extremists calling for her execution and more moderate voices calling for her pardon or an appeal of the guilty verdict.
The department also lamented long prison sentences and lashings for people in Saudi Arabia charged with insulting the Muslim Prophet Muhammad.
Government efforts against “violent extremists” also came under scrutiny. The report says Bahraini, Russian, Iraqi and Nigerian authorities don’t always distinguish terrorism from peaceful religious practice.
It also criticized chronic religious liberty violators China, North Korea, Iran and Eritrea. You can read the complete report here.
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Comments (49)
soybomb315
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 7:27amThere is no such thing as religious liberty without a proper constitution or clearly defined limit to government power. Just because we enjoy those liberties, doesnt mean every country in the world is set up that way
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 6:55amLet’s see now. Both countries border Iran. Both countries politicians believe in sharia law. Both countries politicians loved the Nazi’s and national socialism (communism by another word). So why don’t they want religious freedom? Oh yes, they believe in Sharia Law.
Report Post »I am certainly glad that Dear Leaders crew is on top of this otherwise I would conclude that they are an incompetent bunch of progressives.
Of course they are, but this way I can return to being an ostrich and keep my head buried in the sand.
yougottabekidding
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 7:20amYea you people have no idea about this freedom of religion!
Report Post »Watch our government we will show you how it’s done. Watch us
we will show you how to get rid of those Christians., and convince
theme it’s for their own good!
soybomb315
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 7:33am@Historyguy
They are sovereign countries. It is up to the people of a nation to determine their type of government and what liberties will be preserved. A lot of muslims over there prefer sharia and less liberty.
The US should not go around telling other countries how to govern – especially when we are the most indebted country in the history of the world. We should mind our own liberties first. If we were a better example for constitutional government – more countries would follow suit
Report Post »jamestoms
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 6:47amWow, finally its all fixed, thanks to the state department, give everybody a raise, and send them to Los Vegas!!!
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 6:34amI can’t believe there is an Afghani or Pakistani eyebrow in sight (as they’ve elevated past their hairline). Exactly who is it the USA stands with? I”m thinking Russia and China. That sucks.
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 6:15amI thought the word “extremist” had been purged from the government “global” dialect and can only be applied to local citizens? Are some whacked out extremist Americans running the Sharia courts? Curious minds want to know.
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 6:05amWait, wait, wait. We are now DEFENDING religious freedom? Oh, I get it. It’s in another country, not here. Makes sense. Saying you are for Christians rights in another country while you systematically dismantle their rights in your own country, that’s our leader. Endorse the Mooslim Brotherhood already. Come out of the closet, Obama. Put it on the freaking table! We all know. You can say it. We know.
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 6:35amNot until after the election, like Hitler before him,he wants the Jewish vote.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 4:36amGive me a break!
Report Post »These morons didn’t know what we were getting into from the start??
All of those Islamic toilets that we’ve been in for the last 11 years will be exactly the same or worse the day we leave, as they were the day we invaded them. These politicians make us all look stupid!
Jerry Frey
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 2:35amThe State Dept. is wasting its breath, like they give a darn what we think, as long as the money keeps rolling in.
http://napoleonlive.info/see-the-evidence/never-forget-9-11-essay/
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 2:27amI guess it’s too late to Shun These people
Report Post »TheBurningTruth
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 2:17amThat’s what they say NOW leading into the election, but if Barry and the Bandits win, they’ll be grovelling on the floor all over the ******** middle east apologizing for their comments.
Remember, other than the Socialization of American, President Marxist has NO fixed principals. It’s “Ends Justify The Means” with him.
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:39amThey’re doing the same thing here! Damn hypocrites! OMG I wanna beat these people down!
Report Post »docgreen
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 2:10amapple: Isn‘t it funny to hear people say that they’re surprised by this? OMG people, do you not understand, the koran tells them to treat all other Religions and people like dirt. And yet our Govt. says something now? What about all the Ethnic Cleansing happening around the World? Like Sudan, Turkey, Nigeria, Iraq, and all the other muslim countries! Its all the same! Its happening all over the World and 99% of the killings are muslims killing others. Not only that they’re killing their own people! Other Religions have to pay taxes in order for them live within a muslim country. Islam is now killing these people or running them out of the country!
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 4:40amExcellent point and my sentiment too!
Report Post »Democrats are little better, (if any), than radical Muslims.
cookcountypatriot
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:07amstrange,,,were tough with afganastan but kiss egyptian arse ,,,in fact we gave the muslim brotherhood a billion dollars……….something smells very ,,very ,,well,,,,progressive here
Report Post »JohnLarson
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:59amThe Israeli Defense Minister was just on CNN, he said Obama has been the strongest on Israeli security compared to any other admin he could remember.
Eat it, connies.
Report Post »cookcountypatriot
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:04amhe,s wrong
Report Post »JohnLarson
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:11amHmm… who to trust? The Israeli Defense Minister or COOKCOUNTYPATRIOT?
Report Post »ColoradoDad
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:15amWhat’s CNN?
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:58amYou know John…I hate contemptuous liars to the core of my heart. He said no such thing. All he did was thank Obama for his donation towards their defense. Everything else you added, came right out of the crevice GOD blessed you with.
Report Post »JohnLarson
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 2:36amYou saw the interview with Blitzer?
Blitzer even had him repeat it to be clear. Two times, the Defense Minister said since Carter he’s been the best. Before Carter he couldn‘t comment on because he wasn’t on the scene.
Report Post »JohnLarson
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 2:37amHere the interview is on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26xy6Gbb3XY
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 4:50amYea, sure!
Report Post »Obama demanding that Israel go back to indefensible 1967 borders as the foundation for peace talks to begin in earnest, is the qualifier for that ridiculous statement I suppose?
Anyone that believes that drivel from CNN is a totally uninformed idiot! Or just a flat out lier!!
Kissing Obama‘s butt on TV doesn’t qualify as a truthful statement.
The-Monk
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:48amSec. Clinton Discusses International Religious Freedom; July 30, 2012
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Sec-Clinton-to-Address-International-Religious-Freedom/10737432699/
Report Post »JohnLarson
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:44amObama has killed more top level terrorists than Bush ever could….
The Republican “strong on military” advantage: Gone. Bush squandered it, Obama put the nail in the coffin with Bin Laden’s death.
Report Post »Paul
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:50amWow… Who Ties Your Shoes ?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:57amWhat has Obama done regarding he man (Doctor) he outed in his glee to take credit for Osama?
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/23/world/asia/pakistan-bin-laden-doctor/index.html
Tell me again about the greatness of Obama … his actions keep showing that he is a FOOL!
Report Post »ColoradoDad
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:18amObama didn’t do it, someone else made that happen!
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 4:53amjohnlason = Obama’s gay lover
Love makes you blind, ya know…………………
Report Post »Paul
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:35amOTFLMAO ! You Clowns Have Out Done Yourselve’s This Time !!
Are You Freaking Kidding Me ?
Wow , We All Of A Sudden Have Americans In The White House !!!
And Pigs Are Flying !!!!
Report Post »Paul
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:48amHillary, Your Brilliant !!
Report Post »Chromo200
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:34amIt is election time and the Adminstration wants to show us poor ignorant people that he a strong leader. Hah …. That he can pressure the gov’ts of Pakistan and Afganistan .. Hah .. and the Obama Koo-AId drinkers are going for this. Oh I forgot that he is the best friend of Isreal.
Will the State Dept do the same for Egypt and the countries the muslim brotherhood that are in control of?. I bet a weeks pay No. How about this country where one can’t display a cross, or preach out in the open, or say a prayer in a public place.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:59amWhen are they going to DO SOMETHING .. like cut off AID TO THESE TERRORISTS???
OMG 2012 … LIBERTY!
Report Post »antrancher
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:25amInteresting timing!
Report Post »crusaderx9
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:20amThe obama administration is in charge of foreign policy and directs the implements of national power through both the State Dept and Dept of Defense (as well as others).
In other words, the obama administration is to blame if they are not getting the desired results – as they blamed the Bush Administration for everything. No one should let obama continue to direct the conversation by pointing out who is to blame – he wanted the job and this is his failure…
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:18amThese Musims are all in England’s government influencing laws over there. They allowed so many of them to come in because they own so many provinces that muslims live on that they cannot run them out of England, as they are a part of England. They are trying to institute Sharia law and I have heard they are succeeding in some cases. England better get their stuff together and know that they will be overthrown. People coming from England to the U.S. have no problem getting citizenship and usually have dual citizenship. Of course with Obama they don’t even have to bother to become a citizen.
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 6:37amCheck out Dearborn, Michigan, among sveral other cities in this country!
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:13amThere are Muslims throughout our government and are causing problems for those who are not muslims. None of them needs to be working in our government unless they have been here 15 or years and have been vetted for to the max even for the simplest of jobs. These people hate America or they would assimilate into our culture. They are trying to bring their culture here and force it down the throats of the American people. They should be sent packing if that is the case, and most of them should be sent packing because that is why the majority of them are here.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:10amThat bunch in the State Department are nothing but puppets of that administration of our fraud-in-chief. They are sucking tax payer dollars from the country and doing nothing but are given a title to make them look like someone is there working on our behalf. They are doing NOTHING.
Report Post »Sorocialism
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:00amThe only surprising part of this is that the Obama Admin would actually have the cajones to release this kind of information. There must be a paragrah in that report that shows how the U.S. is to blame for the Violent Extremists viewpoints…that can be the only explanantion as to why the Obama admin would do this.
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:07amCajones are wooden crates with plywood covers that are used as percussion instruments. Perhaps you were thinking of cojones.
Report Post »Sorocialism
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:42amperhaps I was looking for the spelling police too, I found u
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 11:53pmGet OUT!!!!!
Report Post »Really, the land of the Taliban and Al Qaeda would have limits on religious freedom? I would think they would allow Gay Mariage, but not Chick Fil A.
oldguy49
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:15amand egypt and all the other muslim countries including our good friend saudi arabia whose head cleric has call for the destruction of all christian churches. in saudi arabia…………is anyone in washinton waking up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 11:52pmAgain we see the American Leftist Ruling-Class treat their political supports as ignorant fools. It’s completely understandable, since they are.
Report Post »