US Report Criticizes Turkey On Religious Rights

WASHINGTON (AP) — An annual U.S. government report is adding U.S. ally Turkey as well as Tajikistan to a list of the worst violators of religious rights.

The report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom cites Turkey for “systematic and egregious limitations” on religious liberty. Turkey and Tajikistan are among a total 16 nations listed by the commission as countries of particular concern.

The report criticizes Turkey for regulating non-Muslim groups, restricting how they can train clergy, offer education and own their places of worship.

Congress established the commission in 1998 to compile the reports for use by the president, the secretary of state, and lawmakers.