Religious freedom conditions in Bahrain are mostly stable, trending positive in some areas but remaining the same in others. The government generally allows freedom of worship for religious minorities, but continues its ongoing and systematic discrimination against some Shi’a Muslims. While they are generally free to worship, Shi’a Bahrainis have long faced difficulties in such areas as employment, political representation, freedom of expression, promotion within the military and mosque construction.

Religious freedom conditions in Russia are particularly severe as the government criminalizes the activities of multiple peaceful religious groups, including Jehovah’s Witnesses,  often labeling such organizations as “terrorist,” “extremist,” or “undesirable.” Russia frequently persecutes religious leaders for expressing religiously-based opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and enforces its legal framework on the religious activity on the Ukrainian territory it illegally occupies. 

Religious freedom conditions in Laos remain poor. The government uses Decree 315 to deprive the religious freedom of minority religious communities. Central and local governments use administrative regulations to hinder joining Buddhist religious orders and to prevent the construction of minority houses or worship.