September 15, 2004

International Religious Freedom Report for 2004

Release of the
U.S. Department of State
International Religious Freedom Report for 2004

The U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC, released today, September 15, its annual International Religious Freedom Report. The report was presented to the U.S. Congress and is required by law. It describes the status of religious freedom in each of the 195 countries around the world.

The individual report on Romania states that the Romanian government generally respects the right of freedom of religion and that relations among different religious groups are generally amicable. In addition to other positive steps, the report specifically notes Government support for the creation of the International Commission to Study the Holocaust in Romania, and the establishment by the Government of an annual Holocaust Remembrance day to be celebrated on October 9.

Among the shortcomings expressed in the report on Romania are the slow progress toward the return of religious properties seized during the communist period, including those of the Greek Catholic Church; and continued impediments some minority religions face in proselytizing and carrying out other religious activities.

The individual report for Romania can viewed (in English) at the U.S. Embassy website at http://www.usembassy.ro/ or http://bucharest.usembassy.gov/.

The full International Religious Freedom report can be viewed on the Department of State website at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2004/.