In a recent report, the US State Department said "religious freedom was tested severely and continues to deteriorate as a result of inter-ethnic tensions." What has provoked the biggest concern is the increasingly politicised role of religion in official events - for example, in a ceremony in which Archbishop Stefan blessed police special forces and gave each of them a religious plaque.
Intr-un raport recent, Departamentul de Stat al SUA a spus ca "libertatea religioasa a fost incercata din greu si continua sa se deterioreze ca rezultat al tensiunilor inter-etnice". Ceea ce a provocat cea mai mare ingrijorare este rolul tot mai important acordat religiei in evenimentele oficiale - de exemplu intr-o ceremonie in care Arhipiscopul Stefan a binecuvantat fortele speciale de politie si le-a conferit insemne religioase".