The US government took several countries to task this week including China, Russia, Myanmar and India in its annual religious freedom report, which reviews the state of religious freedom in nearly 200 nations and territories, reports Anadolu Agency.

Speaking at a press conference with Rashad Hussain, US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said governments are failing to respect their citizens' basic rights and some others continue to use blasphemy and apostasy laws.

Myanmar received criticism over what the report said was genocide committed by the authorities against Rohingya Muslims.

China received criticism over its treatment of Uighur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists and other religious minorities.

Blinken said that when the fundamental right of each person to practice their faith, or to choose not to observe a faith is respected, people can make their fullest contributions to community successes.

He said the report looks at how religious freedom and the rights of religious minorities are under threat in communities around the world.

The list of countries includes China, Myanmar, Russia, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Afghanistan and includes a call on Europe to tackle rising hate, including anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiment.