Religious freedom ‘at risk’ in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — An independent panel warned May 13 that religious freedom in Afghanistan is perilously at risk unless the U.S. government presses for greater human rights protections.

In its annual report to Congress, the president and the State Department, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said Afghanistan could again become a repressive Islamic state unless Washington intervenes.

The watchdog panel called for increased security to guarantee human rights, as well as secular courts to prevent “misguided judicial activism” and a commitment to make sure cruel punishments are banned.