http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/16385/

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) added five countries—Pakistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam—to its list of “countries of particular concern,” or CPC, for their continuous, systematic, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

Burma, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan were carried over as designated CPCs from last year. The Department of State (DOS) has also designated these eight countries as CPCs since September 2004 or before.

USCIRF released its findings on Friday at the National Press Club. Their annual report gives particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom in each of the CPC, as well as in countries on a “Watch List.” These latter countries do not rise to the level of the CPC, but, nonetheless, need to be monitored closely and, in some cases, are targeted for diplomatic action.