# State Dept. Highlights Religious Freedom Violations March 12, 2010 Author: Adelle M. Banks Source: Beliefnet/Religion News Service The State Department issued its annual human rights report Thursday (March 11), noting religious freedom violations in countries ranging from China to Iraq to Saudi Arabia. The report on 194 countries called 2009 "a year in which ethnic, racial, and religious tensions led to violent conflicts and serious human rights violations." The State Department said "no genuine freedom of religion" exists in North Korea and Cuban law permits punishment of "any unauthorized assembly of more than three persons, including those for private religious services in private homes." See also:- [ Advocacy/Government ](/news-stories/advocacygovernment) - [ Minaret Referendum in Switzerland ](/news-stories/minaret-referendum-switzerland) - [ Islam in Europe ](/news-stories/islam-europe) - [ Religious Freedom ](/news-stories/religious-freedom) - [ Interfaith ](/religions/interfaith) - [ Islam ](/religions/islam) - [ Civic ](/tags/civic) - [ International ](/tags/international) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)