USCIRF Releases Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Violations against Muslims in Africa

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom violations against Muslims living in Africa:

Violations against Muslims in Africa Factsheet – This report documents trends in religious freedom violations against Muslims during the last two years. While many Muslims in Africa practice their faith in peace and harmony, some Muslims have been denied their freedom of religion or belief across the region. Violators include state governments (in both Muslim- and Christian-majority countries) as well as nonstate actors. The factsheet provides illustrative examples of state persecution of Muslim minorities in Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, and Eritrea; attacks on Muslim leaders and houses of worship; and targeting of Muslims in the context of political conflict in Africa.

In its 2021 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. State Department designate Nigeria and Eritrea as Countries of Particular Concern for engaging in and tolerating ongoing, systematic, and egregious violations of international religious freedom. USCIRF also recommended that the State Department place Egypt and Algeria on its Special Watch List and designate Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa Province, Islamic State in Greater Sahara, Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen, and al-Shabaab as Entities of Particular Concern.

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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].

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].