2011 Report on International Religious Freedom - Western Sahara
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Publication Date | 30 July 2012 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, 2011 Report on International Religious Freedom - Western Sahara, 30 July 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/502105725a.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| 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. |
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
July 30, 2012
[Covers calendar year from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011]
Executive Summary
The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom but, in practice, the government restricted religious freedom in some cases. The government did not demonstrate a trend toward either improvement or deterioration in respect for and protection of the right to religious freedom. 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 were no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.
The U.S. ambassador and senior administration officials discussed religious freedom with the government of Morocco within the context of official visits and the annual bilateral human rights dialogue.
Section I. Religious Demography
A majority of the population is Sunni Muslim. Islamic practice in the Western Sahara is frequently characterized by maraboutism, the veneration of religious figures and the tombs in which they are believed to be interred. There is a small group of Catholics who live and worship freely.
There is a small foreign community working for the United Nations Mission for a Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Many of its members are non-Muslims.
Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom
Legal/Policy Framework
The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom, but, in practice, the government restricts religious freedom in some cases. 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.
Government Practices
There were no reports of abuses of religious freedom.
Moroccan law prohibits efforts to proselytize Muslims who adhere to the Maliki rite of Sunni Islam. Conversion from Islam is discouraged but not explicitly prohibited.
Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom
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, discussed religious freedom with the government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights. The U.S. ambassador and senior administration officials discussed religious freedom with the government of Morocco within the context of official visits and the annual bilateral human rights dialogue.
