US State Department

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Residents of Ngbam, Benue state, Nigeria, on April 8, 2023, the day after gunmen killed at least 43 people and injured another 40.

House chairman: State Department is giving religious freedom violators ‘a pass’

Jul 19, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

“I am concerned that the U.S. State Department is not using all the tools provided to hold guilty parties accountable,”... Read more

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U.S. calls for investigation into Nigerian forced abortions, according to report

Dec 16, 2022

By Peter Pinedo

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, is seeking information from Nigerian authorities regarding evidence of a massive forced abortion... Read more

The flag of Nigeria on a military uniform.

Legal group joins outcry over removal of Nigeria from religious freedom watch list

Nov 23, 2021

By Kate Olivera

An international legal group has joined the outcry over the U.S. State Department’s decision to remove Nigeria from this year’s... Read more

The flag of Nigeria on a military uniform.

Religious freedom advocates ‘appalled’ as State Department removes Nigeria from watch list

Nov 18, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Rights groups have documented thousands of killings of Nigerian Christians. Read more

Group of the U.S. Embassy in Denmark holds a balloon with the American flag adapted to the LGBT flag at the Copenhagen Pride Parade on Aug. 15, 2015  Credit: Giorgio Caracciolo/Shutterstock

Secretary of State nominee says he will fill LGBT position at agency

Jan 22, 2021

President Joe Biden’s nominee for Secretary of State pledged to appoint an LGBTI envoy at the agency, and says he... Read more

Cuban Flag.

US bishops disagree with designation of Cuba as terrorism sponsor

Jan 14, 2021

The US bishops’ chair for international justice and peace has expressed his disagreement with the State Department’s return of Cuba... Read more

Nigerian security operatives during a military operation.

Knights of Columbus praise US listing of Nigeria as 'Country of Particular Concern'

Dec 16, 2020

The Knights of Columbus has praised the United States for listing Nigeria as among the worst countries for religious freedom,... Read more

The port of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 5, 2020, one day after a massive explosion.

Second round of US aid to Lebanon in question after August blast

Oct 26, 2020

As Lebanon continues to deal with fallout from the massive August explosion that devastated parts of the capital, Beirut, advocates... Read more

US Secretary of State Michael Mike Pompeo.

Religious freedom is 'foremost' in unalienable rights, US commission reports

Jul 16, 2020

By Matt Hadro

A draft report Thursday from an advisory body to the U.S. State Department on human rights says that religious freedom... Read more

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks in Nashville, Oct. 11, 2019.

US Secretary of State discusses international religious freedom threats

Oct 15, 2019

In a speech on Christian leadership Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo highlighted international religious freedom threats, especially in... Read more

US Secretary Mike Pompeo and Vatican Secretary Archbishop Paul Gallagher at the Vatican symposium Oct. 2, 2019.

At Vatican, Secretary Mike Pompeo highlights Chinese religious freedom violations 

Oct 2, 2019

By Courtney Mares

U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo spoke out Wednesday about China’s religious freedom violations during a visit to the Vatican.  Read more

A man rides a motorcycle in the old city of Mosul, northern Iraq on April 21, 2019.

In Northern Iraq, Christians face obstacles on the road to rebuilding

Jul 24, 2019

By Matt Hadro

As some Christian genocide victims rebuild their homes in Northern Iraq, a tenuous security situation still threatens their future in... Read more

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Courtesy of the Department of State.

US Secretary of State expands Mexico City Policy

Mar 26, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Tuesday an expansion of the pro-life Mexico City Policy and the slashing of... Read more