Dec 19, 2023

USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Libya

Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:

Religious Freedom Conditions in Libya – This report provides an overview of concerning trends affecting freedom of religion or belief in Libya. Religious freedom and other human rights have suffered amid the country’s prolonged crisis of governance, in which the interim government in Tripoli and rival administrations based in eastern cities remain stalled on the path to long-postponed and critical elections. Authorities in both the west and east—as well as affiliated security actors and independent militias—have targeted for abuse and restricted the liberties of religious minorities, accused apostates and proselytizers, atheists, and people who have expressed dissenting interpretations of Islam. The report emphasizes Libya’s dire need for free and fair elections, a central government, and substantial constitutional and legislative reform to equip authorities and civil society to substantially improve freedom of religion or belief.  

In 2022, USCIRF demonstrated that governments with an official or favored religion, which include Libya, are far more likely than those without them to maintain laws restricting religious freedom and other human rights on the basis of religion. Libya also currently has anti-conversion legislation and blasphemy laws on the books.

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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 and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].