Burma. The Government continued to engage in particularly severe violations of religious freedom. The Government generally infiltrated or monitored the meetings and activities of virtually all organizations, including religious ones. It systemically restricted efforts by Buddhist clergy to promote human rights and political freedom, discouraged or prohibited minority religions from constructing new places of worship, and in some ethnic minority areas coercively promoted Buddhism over other religions, particularly among members of ethnic minority groups. Christian groups in most regions continued to experience difficulties in obtaining permission to repair existing churches or to build new ones, while Muslims reported they essentially were banned from constructing new mosques or expanding existing ones anywhere in the country. Anti-Muslim violence continued to occur, Muslim activities were monitored, and the Government restricted the ability of Muslims to worship and travel freely.

China. The Government's respect for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience remained poor, especially for many unregistered religious groups and spiritual movements such as the Falun Gong. Particularly severe violations of religious freedom continued. Members of many unregistered religious groups, including Protestant and Catholic groups, were subjected to restrictions, including intimidation, harassment, and detention; however, the degree of restrictions varied significantly from region to region. In some localities, "underground" religious leaders reported ongoing pressure to register with the State Administration for Religious Activities. Spiritual activities in churches that have not registered may be considered illegal, and participants can be punished. In some areas, security authorities used threats, demolition of unregistered property, extortion, interrogation, detention, and at times beatings and torture to harass leaders of unauthorized groups and their followers. The arrest, detention and imprisonment of Falun Gong practitioners continued. Practitioners who refuse to recant their beliefs are sometimes subjected to harsh treatment in prisons and reeducation-through-labor camps, and there have been credible reports of deaths due to torture and abuse. Christian-based groups that the Government considered "cults" were subjected to increased government scrutiny. In areas where unrest has occurred, especially among the Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang Province, officials continued to restrict the building of mosques and the training of clergy, and they prohibited the teaching of Islam to children. Although the authorities permit many traditional religious practices and public manifestations of belief in Tibetan areas, they promptly and forcibly suppress activities they view as vehicles for political dissent or advocacy of Tibetan independence, such as religious activities venerating the Dalai Lama.

Cuba. The Ministry of Interior continues to control and monitor religious activities and to use surveillance, infiltration and harassment against religious groups, clergy and laypersons. The Government monitors all religious groups, including registered and established institutions.
Government harassment of private houses of worship continued, with evangelical denominations reporting evictions from houses used for worship. The authorities restrict the import and distribution of religious literature and materials, and they monitor church-run publications. The law allows for the construction of new churches once the required permits are obtained; however, the Government has almost never authorized construction permits, forcing many churches to seek permits to meet in private homes. Religious groups must also obtain a permit to reconstruct or repair existing places of worship. The process of obtaining a permit and purchasing construction materials from government outlets is lengthy and expensive. The church is not permitted to train or transfer from abroad enough priests for its needs, nor is it allowed to establish social institutions, including schools and universities, hospitals and clinics, and nursing homes.