2012-8240. Secretary of State's Determination Under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998

SUMMARY:

The Secretary of State designation of “countries of particular concern” for religious freedom violations.

Pursuant to Section 408(a) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-292), as amended (the Act), notice is hereby given that, on August 18, 2011, the Secretary of State, under authority delegated by the President, has designated each of the following as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) under section 402(b) of the Act, for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom: Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan.

The Secretary simultaneously designated the following Presidential actions for these CPCs:

For Burma, the existing ongoing arms embargo referenced in 22 CFR 126.1(a), pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act;

For China, the existing ongoing restrictions on exports to China of crime control and detection instruments and equipment, under Public Law 101-246 and the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 1990 and 1991, pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act;

For Eritrea, the existing ongoing arms embargo referenced in 22 CFR 126.1(a), pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act;

For Iran, the existing ongoing restrictions on certain imports from and exports to Iran, in accordance with section 103(b) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-195), pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act;

For North Korea, the existing ongoing restrictions to which North Korea is subject, pursuant to sections 402 and 409 of the Trade Act of 1974 (the Jackson-Vanik Amendment), pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act;

For Saudi Arabia, a waiver to “further the purposes of the Act,” pursuant to section 407 of the Act;

For Sudan, the restriction on making certain appropriated funds available for assistance to the Government of Sudan in the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, currently set forth in section 7070(f) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010 (Div. F, Pub. L. 111-117), as carried forward by the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Div. B, Pub. L. 112-10) and any provision of law that is the same or substantially the same as this provision, pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act; and

For Uzbekistan, a waiver to “further the purposes of the Act,” pursuant to section 407 of the Act.

Dated: March 30, 2012.

Victoria Alvarado,

Office Director, Office of International Religious Freedom, Department of State.