USCIRF Releases New Report on Law and Religion in Algeria

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom conditions in Algeria:

Law and Religion in Algeria – This factsheet highlights Algerian laws that pose risks to freedom of religion or belief. This report summarizes the intersection of law, religion, and politics in recent Algerian history. It highlights aspects of Algerian law that are inconsistent with international legal protections for the freedom of religion or belief, including laws against blasphemy and proselytization, as well as recent instances of enforcement and bias. The report lays out several policy options the United States government can pursue to help reduce legal repression by the Algerian government based on these laws.

In its 2022 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. State Department include Algeria in its Special Watch List for engaging in severe violations of international religious freedom. In 2021, USCIRF published a country update highlighting relevant religious freedom developments in Algeria and hosted a virtual event 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 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..