Secretary Kerry says those who attack religious freedom not only unjustly threaten the people they target but undermine their own stability."From South Asia to the Sahel, governments have silenced members of religious groups with oppressive laws,harsh punishments, and brutal tactics that have no place in the 21st century," said Kerry.This year's report on international religious freedom includes concerns about northern Nigeria where violencebetween the Islamist-militant Boko Haram and Nigerian security forces have claimed the lives of Muslims and Christians."In Nigeria, Boko Haram has killed more than 1,000 people over the last year alone.And that includes Christian and Muslim religious leaders, individuals who were near, near churches and mosques, worshipers and bystanders alike," said Kerry.In Iraq, Kerry says the world has seen the "savagery and incredible brutality" of the Syrian-based Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant."The wholesale slaughter of Shia Muslims, the forced conversions of Christians in Mosul, the rape and executions and use of women and children as human shields.All of these acts of barbarism underscore the stakes," he said.Human Rights Watch's Sarah Margon says Iraqi security forces have helped enflame sectarian tensions,making it difficult for Washington to support a government in Baghdad that has little support from Sunnis and Kurds.
