Oct 8, 2024

USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom in Algeria

Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report:

Algeria Country Update - This report provides an update on freedom of religion or belief in Algeria. The government currently criminalizes blasphemy and restricts religious practice, worship, and observance. It persecutes members of faith-based groups including Christians and Ahmadiyya Muslims. The Algerian government denies Ahmadiyyas the right to register as Muslims and continues to prosecute religious leaders as well using in-absentia convictions and suspended sentences. It has also closed nearly all evangelical churches in the country with only one remaining open as of September 2024.

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. Department of State redesignate Algeria as a “Special Watch List” country, or SWL, for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].