'Fence hinders religious freedom'
State Department’s 2004 human rights report claims the security fence harms Palestinian religious freedom
WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department’s annual human rights and democracy report says Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as the route of the separation fence, hinder Christian and Muslim Palestinians from reaching their places of worship.
Despite criticism on this issue, Israel appears in a different section of the report from Arab states, which receive harsh criticism.
The report noted that U.S. officials continue to raise concerns with the Israeli government regarding the influence of the security fence on freedom of religion. It noted that the U.S. is urging Israel to consider religious needs when deciding on the route of the security fence.
The report added that there is special concern over the fence’s hindering of access to places of Christian and Muslim worship, holy places and religious institutes that provide educational opportunities and health and welfare aide.
Confiscating religious property because of the construction of the fence has remained a key issue, the report said.
Criticism towards Israel is dwarfed by the criticism leveled at its neighbors.
In the section on the West Bank and Gaza, the report noted that violence and terror were caused by the Palestinian uprising that started in September 2000 and it continues to cause the deaths of hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians living in the West Bank, Gaza and Israel in 2004.
Syria's record on human rights - poor
The report noted that Syria and Lebanon maintain poor records on human rights. The government uses widespread and unsupervised force to prevent any political opposition, it severely restricts the activities of civilian groups and public demonstration of anti-government sentiments.
Libya - a history of executions
The section on Libya reported that the country has a history of executions, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, widespread torture and restricts freedom of speech.
It said the government ruled the judicial system, citizens have no right to a fair public trial nor could they be represented by a legal advisor. Women and religious minorities continue to suffer from discrimination and violence, the report said.
