US designates China, Iran as countries of concern over religious freedom

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the World AIDS Day event in Washington, Dec. 2, 2022.

The United States has designated China, Iran and Russia, among others, as countries of particular concern under the Religious Freedom Act over severe violations, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

In a statement on Friday, Blinken said those designated as countries of particular concern, which also include North Korea and Myanmar, engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.