ICC Note:

After a long delay, the US finally released its Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) list in addition to a special watch list for countries whose violations of religious freedom need to be recognized but were not CPC designations. While the US did not identify Pakistan as a CPC, officials did place Pakistan on a special watch list for “severe violations” of religious freedom in part because of “egregious religious violations” like blasphemy laws. Pakistan has avoided such designations in the past so it is a positive step to recognize the violations. The question becomes, will Pakistan try to change?

01/05/2018 Pakistan (Economic Times) – The US has placed Pakistan on a special watch list for “severe violations” of religious freedom, the State Department said.

This has come as US President Donald Trump recently criticized Pakistan for not doing more to combat terrorism, and his administration has informed members of Congress that it will announce plans to end “security assistance” payments to the country.

In reaction to that, Pakistan has said it is already doing a lot to fight militants, and summoned the U.S. ambassador to explain a tweet by Trump that said the United States had been foolish in dispensing aid to Islamabad.

The today’s announcement came as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson decided to re-designate about 10 countries as ‘Countries of Particular Concern’.

“The secretary also placed Pakistan on a Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom,” State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said.

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