WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (Hina) - The State Department on Thursday presented its first annual report on religious freedoms in the world, which also mentions Croatia in which, according to the report, religious freedoms are guaranteed by
the Constitution and all religious communities can operate freely and openly. Like similar annual reports on human rights, media or terrorism, this report, too, includes data and assessments by the US administration on religious rights and freedoms in 194 countries. Apart from positive statements on the situation in Croatia, it is also noted that nationality and religion are overlapping and that it is therefore difficult to differentiate between the cases of religious and ethnic discrimination and intolerance. On the state level, objections concern the unequal treatment of religious communities as regards the return of confiscated property. It is also stated that
WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (Hina) - The State Department on Thursday
presented its first annual report on religious freedoms in the
world, which also mentions Croatia in which, according to the
report, religious freedoms are guaranteed by the Constitution and
all religious communities can operate freely and openly.
Like similar annual reports on human rights, media or terrorism,
this report, too, includes data and assessments by the US
administration on religious rights and freedoms in 194 countries.
Apart from positive statements on the situation in Croatia, it is
also noted that nationality and religion are overlapping and that
it is therefore difficult to differentiate between the cases of
religious and ethnic discrimination and intolerance.
On the state level, objections concern the unequal treatment of
religious communities as regards the return of confiscated
property. It is also stated that 19 Catholic priests are active in
the army, whereas soldiers of other religion do not have their own
priests. Religious education in schools causes inequality because
Catholic religious instruction is present in all schools whereas
the religious needs of minorities are met only if there is a
sufficient number of students.
The State Department also objects to the unequal rights among the
clergy to health insurance and pensions.
(hina) rml