US monitoring mass conversions in India

Published December 13, 2014
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki speaks at the daily briefing at the State Department in Washington. — AFP/File
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki speaks at the daily briefing at the State Department in Washington. — AFP/File

WASHINGTON: The United States said on Friday that it was closely monitoring reports of forced mass conversions in India.

“We are aware of recent reports regarding alleged coercion in mass conversions in India, and are monitoring the situation closely,” said a statement issued by the US Department of State.

The issue of mass conversion was raised at the State Department’s regular briefing on Thursday but the spokesperson, Jen Psaki, promised to respond later.

“We work to promote respect for freedom of religion and belief in all countries around the world. We call on all states to comply with their obligations to protect religious freedom, as per international norms,” the statement said.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...
Ties with Tehran
Updated 24 Apr, 2024

Ties with Tehran

Tomorrow, if ties between Washington and Beijing nosedive, and the US asks Pakistan to reconsider CPEC, will we comply?
Working together
24 Apr, 2024

Working together

PAKISTAN’S democracy seems adrift, and no one understands this better than our politicians. The system has gone...
Farmers’ anxiety
24 Apr, 2024

Farmers’ anxiety

WHEAT prices in Punjab have plummeted far below the minimum support price owing to a bumper harvest, reckless...