What is the difference between Government Restrictions and Social Hostilities indices?

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Distinction Between Government Restrictions and Social Hostilities Indices

The Government Restrictions Index (GR) and the Social Hostilities Index (SHI) are distinct measures used to assess the landscape of religious freedom globally. The GR specifically quantises the extent to which governments enact laws, policies, and actions that curtail religious beliefs and practices. In contrast, the SHI focuses on hostility directed towards religious groups by private individuals, organisations, or society at large.
Government Restrictions Index (GR)

The Government Restrictions Index quantifies government-level interference with religious freedom. This includes actions such as prohibiting particular faiths, restricting conversion, limiting religious proselytisation, or favouring certain religious groups over others through preferential treatment. For instance, the index captures instances where a government might impose limitations on who can preach or how religious services can be conducted.
Social Hostilities Index (SHI)

The Social Hostilities Index measures acts of religious animosity originating from non-state actors. This encompasses a range of societal behaviours, from organised violence like religiously motivated terrorism or mob violence, to more individualised forms of harassment, such as intimidation or abuse related to religious attire. Sectarian violence and other forms of religion-related intimidation fall under this index's purview.
Application to Malaysia

In 2021, Malaysia recorded a score of 7.7 on the Government Restrictions Index and 3.3 on the Social Hostilities Index, according to data from the Pew Research Center. These scores represent a decrease from 2020, when Malaysia scored 8.5 for GR and 3.5 for SHI. However, the GR score of 7.7 still places Malaysia in the "very high" category for government restrictions on religion, a classification shared by countries scoring 6.6 and above.
Global Context and Government Support

Globally, the Pew Research Center noted that the median level of government restrictions on religion increased to 3.0 in 2021, the highest since tracking began in 2007. The study also highlighted that religious groups faced government harassment in 183 countries in 2021. While Malaysia's GR score indicates significant government restrictions, the report also acknowledged instances where the Malaysian government provided benefits to religious groups, citing funding for mosque projects by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and financial support for temples and churches, including 1,145 Hindu temples receiving funds between December 2020 and May 2021.

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What is the difference between Government Restrictions and Social Hostilities indices?

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