2014 Religious Freedom Index World Report Wrongfully Lashes at Algeria

The 2014 religious freedom index world report issued earlier this week criticizes Algeria for what it termed as gross restrictions imposed by the country’s authorities on non-Muslims and atheists. However, this 300-page document contains myriads of lapses and inaccuracies owing to a blatant bias towards the religion of Islam itself precisely in the pages from 88 to 90.

Algeria was thus wrongfully classified together with neighbouring Tunisia on the black list of countries as the most restrictive in terms of religious freedom for non-Muslims and non-believers.

The report wrongly interprets the country’s constitution by noting for instance that the latter prohibits non-Muslims and atheist from assuming government positions and barring non-Muslim public meetings across the national territory.

Commenting on the family code, the report says that the state authorities impose an absolute and all-out religious control on matters related to marriage and moral values.

It should be noted that the Algerian constitution provides for the inviolable right to creed and opinion, but declares Islam the state religion and prohibits state institutions from engaging in behavior incompatible with Islamic morality; other laws, policies, and practices restrict religious freedom. The law provides for freedom of belief and opinion and permits citizens to establish institutions, the aims of which include the protection of fundamental liberties. The law criminalizes “offending the holy Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace and blessings be upon him.”

The law also prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion and guarantees state protection for non-Muslims and for the “toleration and respect of different religions.” Government officials assert the ordinance is designed to apply to non-Muslims the same constraints imposed on Muslims, including stipulating that religious rites must comply with the law and respect public order, morality, and the rights and basic freedoms of others. The ordinance also outlines registration requirements for non-Muslim religious groups.

Conversion and apostasy are not illegal. The government permits missionary groups to conduct only humanitarian activities as long as non-Muslims do not proselytize.

Under Ordinance 06-03, proselytizing by non-Muslims is a criminal offense and carries a maximum punishment of one million dinars ($12,816) and five years’ imprisonment for anyone who “incites, constrains, or utilizes means of seduction tending to convert a Muslim to another religion; or by using to this end establishments of teaching, education, health, social, culture, training … or any financial means.” Making, storing, or distributing printed documents or audiovisual materials with the intent of “shaking the faith” of a Muslim may also be punished in this manner, but the government does not always enforce these restrictions.

The ministries of religious affairs, foreign affairs, interior, and trade must approve the import of non-Islamic religious writings. Foreigners may legally import personal copies of non-Islamic religious texts, such as the Bible. The government prohibits dissemination of any literature portraying violence as a legitimate precept of Islam.