ALGERIA USCIRF–RECOMMENDED FOR SPECIAL WATCH LIST KEY FINDINGS I n 2020, religious freedom conditions in Algeria remained poor, with the government continuing its systematic repression of Christians as well as minority Muslim communities. The government resumed its campaign against the Ahmadiyya community, sentencing dozens of Ahmadis to multiyear prison sentences and often interrogating them about their religious beliefs during trials. In October, the government handed down several two-year prison sentences for Ahmadiyya Muslims in Constantine, while in December a court in Tizi Ouzou sentenced 25 Ahmadis to extended prison time. On December 14, a court in Khenchela sentenced a prominent Ahmadiyya leader to six months in prison and a fine of 20,000 Algerian dinars (DA) ($150 USD), nearly half the country’s average monthly wage. The prosecutor has appealed the verdict to pursue a blasphemy conviction and harsher sentence. Non-Muslim communities also faced discrimination. The governor of Oran forced two Protestant churches to close in January, and in August a court in Tizi Ouzou upheld the state governor’s October 2019 decision to close three Protestant churches. The government also collected information on the religious affiliations of teachers and reportedly handed the data over to the Department of Intelligence and Security. Moreover, having issued restrictions on places of worship in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government granted mosques and Catholic churches permission to reopen in August, but Evangelical churches remained closed through the end of the year. In addition, a constitutional referendum passed in November indicated further erosion in religious freedom conditions in Algeria. Religious minority communities report that the government failed to consult them while drafting the referendum. The new constitution has removed language protecting “freedom of conscience” for all Algerians, raising concerns that the government may use this alteration to oppress religious minorities further. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT • Include Algeria on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA); • Encourage U.S. Embassy officials to meet with the National Commission for Non-Muslim Religious Groups and other relevant government officials, and insist the government deliver clear and timely responses to registration requests by non-Muslim organizations as required by Ordinance 06-03; • Encourage U.S. Embassy officials to attend and observe court proceedings on church closures and against Ahmadiyya Muslims to emphasize the U.S. government’s concerns about such cases; and • Monitor the impact of changes in the new constitution regarding freedom of conscience and advocate that the government continue to protect the rights of its citizens to freedoms protected under international human rights law. The U.S. Congress should: • Hold public hearings to encourage Algeria to reverse decisions that have led to religious freedom violations and reform procedures related to religious minorities. KEY USCIRF RESOURCES & ACTIVITIES • Press Statement: USCIRF Raises Alarm about Speech Laws that Restrict Religious Freedom in More than Half of African Countries • Event: USCIRF Conversation on Religious Freedom in Algeria 56 USCIRF | ANNUAL REPORT 2021