2008 Report on International Religious Freedom - Western Sahara
Publisher | United States Department of State |
Author | Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor |
Publication Date | 19 September 2008 |
Cite as | United States Department of State, 2008 Report on International Religious Freedom - Western Sahara, 19 September 2008, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/48d5cc0da.html [accessed 12 October 2022] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
The Constitution of Morocco provides for the freedom to practice one's religion. Due to continuing Moroccan administrative control of the territory of Western Sahara, the laws and restrictions regarding religious organizations and religious freedom are the same as those in the Kingdom of Morocco.
There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the Government during the reporting period.
There were no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.
The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom with the Government of Morocco as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.
Section I. Religious Demography
Western Sahara has an area of 165,000 square miles and a population of 394,000. A majority of the population is Sunni Muslim, while a very small Catholic minority appears to function openly without significant problems. Islamic practice in the Western Sahara is frequently characterized by maraboutism, the veneration of religious figures and their assumed tombs.
There is a small foreign community working for the U.N. peacekeeping contingent, the United Nations Mission for a Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Most of its members are not Muslims.
Section II. Status of Religious Freedom
Legal/Policy Framework
Due to continuing Moroccan administrative control of the territory, laws and restrictions regarding religious organizations and religious freedom are the same as those in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Restrictions on Religious Freedom
Restrictions on religious freedom in the territory are the same as those in the Kingdom of Morocco.
There were no reports of religious prisoners or detainees in the country.
Forced Religious Conversion
There were no reports of forced religious conversion, including of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or of the refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.
Section III. Societal Abuses and Discrimination
There were no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.
Section IV. U.S. Government Policy
The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Embassy in Morocco, discusses religious freedom with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.