Government Restrictions on Religion Globally: China at the top

International Overview

• State Restrictions on Religion Persist Through 2022
• China, Egypt, and Iran Lead the Way in Religious Restrictions; UK Least Restrictive
• India ranks in South Asia but has moderate government restrictions.
• Status of Bangladesh regarding Religious Persecution against Hindus
• South Asia Land of Contrasts in Religious Freedom

Religious freedoms of people in various governments stood at a historic high around the world in 2022. Recent report from the Pew Research Center finds China, Egypt, and Iran in the top ranking; whereas countries, such as Japan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom scored the lowest levels ever recorded.

The global index of the report underlines that harassment, regulation of religious practices, and discriminatory laws have been persistent factors challenging religious freedoms around the world. This article presents regional and country-specific insights from the Pew Research report: India’s ranking, South Asia’s performance, and the alarming situation in Bangladesh, where Hindus face targeted harassment.

Global Overview Levels still very high

According to Pew Research, religious restriction by government is now holding the record for the fourth year running as 57 countries report “high” or “very high” levels of restrictions.

• China topped the Government Restrictions Index because of large measure by strict rules of religious groups, surveillance, and the prohibition of certain religious practices.
• Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, and Russia rank second, as the laws are restrictive and the state interference in religious freedom is pronounced.
• A least of restriction in government scale applies in the UK, Japan, and South Africa; these have great levels of protection for religious freedom.

India and South Asia: Mixed but Disturbing Trends

India does fairly well on the GRI; most of the issues are sourced from local communal tensions and grassroots restrictions. The report states several instances of interference, regulation, and harassment of religious conversion and harassment of minority groups by the government.

Region In South Asia

• The “high” levels of restriction due to blasphemy laws and social hostilities against minorities reported in Pakistan.
• Bangladesh scores very high on this index with a shocking history of harassment against Hindus including violence, forced conversions and discrimination.
• Sri Lanka and Nepal have “moderate” levels, while the Maldives is relatively restricted because of state-sanctioned Islamic laws.

Bangladesh Concentrates on Harassment of Hindus

Bangladesh’s GRI score points to vulnerability in the Hindu community. International attention has grown as reports about mob violence, temple desecration, and institutionalized discrimination have been reported. In this sense, what Pew findings reveal is an argument that religious minorities, especially Hindus, face both social and institutional challenges in Bangladesh, which in turn causes the high GRI score.

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Conclusion

The Pew Research Center report indicates that religious liberty remains under siege worldwide. While the UK, Japan, and South Africa managed to keep their levels of government restrictions low, the general picture of state-imposed restraints on religious activities remains depicted by China, Egypt, and Iran. This kind of mixed performance by South Asia, where India has moderately restrictive policies and Bangladesh faces a problem of alarming harassment to the minorities, indicates that the region stands at a very delicate balance between societal hostility and governmental control. This calls for continued advocacy work, policy reform, and international cooperation in order to ensure the protection and promotion of this universal right of religious freedom.

Among the most populous countries, China, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia and Russia had the highest levels of government restrictions. Japan, South Africa, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the UK had the lowest levels. Explore the data ⬇️ https://t.co/Jzvcfp3YuR

— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) December 19, 2024