Religious Freedom: Violations, Persecution, Blasphemy Laws, and Anti-Conversion Laws

Inherent in religious freedom is the right to believe or not believe as one’s conscience leads, and to live out one’s beliefs openly, peacefully, and without fear. While religious freedom is America’s first freedom, it also is a core human right that international law and treaty recognize; a necessary component of U.S. foreign policy and America’s commitment to defending democracy and freedom glob...