Blinken continues fights with Russia and China over religious freedom

Russia is attacking a global pro-religious freedom coalition in an attempt to “deflect accountability” from Moscow’s disregard for what alliance members dub a human right, says Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s team.

“The Russian government’s criticism of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) is an attempt to divert attention and deflect accountability from the dire religious freedom issues in the country,” a State Department official said. “Religious minority groups, especially Jehovah’s Witnesses, are continually subjected to physical abuse, harassment, and imprisonment on account of their beliefs.”