Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6995964.stm

Religious freedom has deteriorated in Iraq and Egypt, while China has cracked down on foreign missionaries ahead of the Olympics, the US government said.

The annual State Department report on religious freedom said violence in Iraq was not suffered by just Shia and Sunni Muslims, but all religions and sects.

Burma, Eritrea, Iran and North Korea were also criticised for their treatment of religious minorities.

The report noted signs of improvement in Saudi Arabia, India and Vietnam.

Religious freedom in Saudi Arabia was still severely restricted, but the government had tried to foster greater tolerance by public discussions and announcements, the report said.