New Pew Forum Study Measures Government Restrictions, Social Hostilities Related to Religion In 198 Countries

December 16, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: PR Newswire

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-pew-forum-study-measures-government-restrictions-social-hostilities-related-to-religion-in-198-countries-79448087.html

In a new report measuring infringements on religious beliefs and practices around the world, the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that two-in-three people in the world today live in countries with high levels of restrictions on relig ion. The report gauges the level of restrictions due both to government actions and to acts of violence and intimidation by private individuals, organizations and social groups.

Based on a battery of measures and careful analysis of publicly available information gathered from 16 governmental and nongovernmental organizations -- including the United Nations, the U.S. State Department and Human Rights Watch --Global Restrictions on Religion assesses restrictions in 198 countries and territories, representing more than 99.5% of the world's population.