Oct 19, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Algeria
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Algeria Country Update – This country update examines religious freedom conditions in Algeria, which have deteriorated to a degree that has led USCIRF to recommend that the U.S State Department include Algeria on its Special Watch List since 2020. Although Algeria’s constitution protects freedom of thought and worship for all citizens, the Algerian government frequently regulates religious practice and restricts religious expression. In recent years, Algerian authorities have prosecuted individuals for blasphemy, proselytizing, and other offenses related to their religious identity or the practice of their beliefs. The government has also restricted religious minorities from establishing houses of worship and forcibly closed dozens of Protestant churches.
In its 2021 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. State Department including Algeria in its Special Watch List for engaging in severe violations of international religious freedom. In August, USCIRF hosted a conversation on Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions in Algeria.
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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 threats to 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 and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].
Additional Name(s): Feruz Murtazo ogly Shodiev
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 25 Years' Imprisonment + 24 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Sentencing: August/15/2017
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Murder & Attempted Murder Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition
Feruz Shodiev
Extra Bio Info:
Feruz Shodiev is imprisoned in relation to his religious belief and activity.
On August 15, 2017, the Qashqadaryo Region Court sentenced Shodiev to 25 years in prison for allegedly committing murder (Art. 97 UCC). The date of his arrest was unspecified.
On March 12, 2019, Shodiev was sentenced to an additional 24 years in prison for “attempts to overthrow the constitutional order” (Art. 159 UCC) and an unspecified subsection of Article 244 UCC. Human rights defenders have raised questions regarding his sentencing on extremism charges less than two years later from his original sentence.
Sources:
Additional Name(s): Ibrohim Khakimovich Asronkulov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 19 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment + Unknown
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Drug Trafficking & Illicit Drug Use Extremism Hate Speech Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition
Ibrohim Asronkulov
Extra Bio Info:
Ibrohim Asronkulov is imprisoned in relation to his religious belief and activity.
In 1998, the Altyarikskim District Court in the Fergana region sentenced Asronkulov for "illegal production, purchase, storage, and other activities with narcotic and psychotropic substances without purpose of sale (Art. 276 UCC) for one year and six months.
In 1999, the Fergana Region Court sentenced Asronkulov to 19 years and six months in prison for “incitement of ethnic, racial, or religious hatred” (Art. 156 UCC), “attempts to overthrow the constitutional order” (Art. 159 UCC), “illegal formation of public associations or religious organizations” (Art. 216 UCC), “organizing a criminal group” (Art. 242 UCC), and an unspecified subsection of Article 244 UCC.
On September 13, 2013, Asronkulov was sentenced again for “attempts to overthrow the constitutional order” (Art. 159 UCC) and an unspecified subsection of Article 244 UCC after being accused of engaging in extremist activity inside prison. The length of his sentence was unspecified.
On October 18, 2018, the Bukhara Region Court reviewed Asronkulov's appeal but left his sentence unchanged.
Asronkulov was reportedly denied meaningful access to counsel at his first and second trial. It is also reported that he was tortured following his arrest.
Asronkulov is currently being held in the Bukhara region.