05/15/2008 - The bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom released a report on May 2 that listed 11 “countries of particular concern” – countries whose governments have allowed or participated in violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief. Although the commission did not list Iraq as one of the 11 countries, it said it “remains seriously concerned about religious freedom conditions in Iraq.” The commission, which included Iraq on its 2007 watch list, also announced that its members would visit the country later in May and issue a report and recommendations. Senior Research Fellow Brian Grim discusses the religious freedom conditions in Iraq and explains that sectarian violence, ambiguous legal protections for religious freedom, and other factors have contributed to a deteriorating situation for Christians and other religious minorities.

Featuring:
Brian Grim, Senior Research Fellow in Religion and World Affairs, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Interviewer:
Mark O’Keefe, Associate Director, Web Editorial, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Read the complete discussion The Plight of Iraq's Religious Minorities on the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life Web site.