STATEMENT BY JOHN SHATTUCK ON RELIG

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

14 May 1998 

TEXT: STATEMENT BY JOHN SHATTUCK ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM 
(Testimony before SFRC May 12) (6040)

Washington -- John Shattuck, assistant secretary of state for
democracy, human rights, and labor affairs, said May 12 that the
Clinton administration has "some concerns" about a Senate bill that
would require additional action against countries that practice
religious persecution. But he told Senators that the administration
"supports the bill's objectives" and "remains committed to engaging
with you on this matter."


In Sudan, a bloody civil war fueled by an extremist regime's
intolerance of animists, Christians, and some Muslims has continued
unabated. Iran's religious minorities continue to experience
discrimination and persecution, particularly Evangelical Christians
and Baha'is. Burma's persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority
resulted in refugees fleeing to Bangladesh. In the aftermath of the
Pope's visit to Cuba, the government has relaxed the harshest aspects
of its mistreatment of the Catholic Church, but it still maintains
extensive restrictions on religious activities. The Church has little
or no access to the media, and cannot publish religious materials,
sponsor social events, or establish schools.