WASHINGTON, Nov 19, (Agencies): The Kuwait government placed some limits on the rights of free religious practice and religious minorities experienced some discrimination as a result of government policies during 2010, said a report on religious freedom released by the US Department of State Wednesday. The report, unveiled by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was however critical of many countries. Clinton said that religious freedoms were deteriorating in many parts of the world, including several European countries where “harsh measures” limiting religious expression have been put in place.
Comparing religious freedom in Kuwait during 2010 with that in 2009, the report said that “there was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the government during the reporting period”.

The report also said that “Kuwait’s constitution calls for “absolute freedom” of belief and for freedom of religious practice in accordance with established customs, provided that it does not conflict with public policy or morals; however, the government limits this right”.
The report, however, added that “there were a few reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice. Shi’a Muslims continued to find it difficult to obtain legal permission to establish new places of worship”.

Kuwait’s laws prohibit blasphemy, apostasy, and proselytizing, said the report.
“Religious freedom is both a fundamental human right and an essential element to any stable, peaceful, thriving society,” Clinton told a news conference
The report cited North Korea, Iran, Myanmar, China, Sudan, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan among the worst offenders, repeating criticisms the United States makes almost every year.
But it also took note of countries such as France and Switzerland where voters and lawmakers have passed laws forbidding Muslim face veils and new mosque minarets.

“Several European countries have placed harsh restrictions on religious expression,” Clinton said, saying the “persistent harm caused by intolerance and mistrust” could be as damaging to religious freedom as the actions of authoritarian governments or extremist groups.
Michael Posner, the State Department’s top official for democracy and human rights, said the overall picture for world religious freedom was mixed, with increased repression in countries such as Iran and Myanmar balanced against improvements in nations such as Indonesia.
He said US officials were worried by rising religious tensions in Europe and were urging European governments to protect the rights of Muslims and other religious minorities amid growing public concern over Islam in Europe.

“There’s certainly a growing sensitivity and tension in Europe,” Posner said. “(What) we are urging again our European friends to do is to take every measure to alleviate that tension.”
Posner said the US officials had specifically spoken to the counterparts in Switzerland, where voters last year decided to ban minarets, and France, where lawmakers voted in July to ban full-length “burqa” veils in public places.
The annual US report, compiled from sources including journalists, academics, non-governmental organizations, and human rights and religious groups, provides a long list of both setbacks and progress on religious freedom around the world.

The report also said “government respect for religious freedom continued to deteriorate in Iran, with which the US government is locked in a showdown over its nuclear ambitions and human rights.
“The government severely restricted freedom of religion and reports of government imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on religious beliefs continued during the reporting period,” the report said.
Iranian Muslims who were not from the majority Shiite group faced “substantial societal discrimination,” it said.
“And government rhetoric and actions created a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shia religious groups, most notably Bahais, as well as Sufi Muslims, evangelical Christians, members of the Jewish community,” it said.
The report presented a mixed picture on China.