Libya: Situation of Christians, including treatment by the current regime, various armed groups, and society. (2012-January 2015)

1. Overview

Sources indicate that the vast majority of Libyans are Sunni Muslims (UN 15 Mar. 2013; US 28 July 2014, 1). Sources also report that the non-Muslim population is comprised mainly of foreign residents (ibid.; St John 11 Jan. 2015; BBC 30 Dec. 2012). Sources vary in their account of the number of Christians in Libya: citing estimates by "local Christian authorities," the United Nations' Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), indicates that the Christian foreign resident community is made up of approximately 100,000 people (UN 15 Mar. 2013). The CIA World Factbook estimates that Christians comprise 2.7 percent of Libya's total population of 6.2 million (US 20 June 2014). Other sources state that there are an estimated 50,000 Egyptian Coptic Christians in the country (US 28 Jul. 2014, 2; ECLJ 2014, 4). According to a joint report on vulnerable groups in Libya prepared by country analysts from the governments of Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, there is "no indigenous community of Christians in Libya" (Belgium et al. 19 Dec. 2014). A February 2013 article in the Guardian similarly states that Libya has "no known Christian minority" and that churches are "the preserve of foreign residents" (The Guardian 17 Feb. 2013).

2. Treatment of Christians

The Guardian quotes a Libyan security officials' observation that "we are a 100% Muslim country" (ibid.). In the joint report on vulnerable groups in Libya, the authors state that

we find it likely that people who [convert to Christianity] publicly - and who will be considered apostates - may face problems with their family and their local community. There is also a considerable chance they would face aggression from extremist [I]slamists, based on the numerous attacks on foreign Christians in Libya, which are sometimes justified by claims that the victims were involved in missionary activities. (Belgium et al. 19 Dec. 2014, 22)

The same report indicates that, although various sources affirm that there are Libyans who have converted from Islam to Christianity, there are "no reports of publicly known cases of conversion" (ibid.).

Sources report the following incidents involving Christians in Libya:

In February 2014, seven Egyptian Christians were found dead on a beach near Benghazi, having been shot in the head (BBC 24 Feb. 2014; AP 3 Jan. 2015; Reuters 24 Feb. 2014). Reuters reports that the victims had been abducted from their homes by gunmen who were specifically targeting Christians, although no group claimed responsibility for the "execution-style" killings (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

In late December 2014 a Coptic couple working as doctors in Sirte, and their daughter, were killed (AP 3 Jan. 2015; Reuters 3 Jan. 2015).

On 3 January 2015, 13 Egyptian Coptic Christians were abducted in Sirte from a residence by unknown gunmen (ibid.; AP 3 Jan. 2015). A witness interviewed by the Associated Press (AP) indicated that the gunmen had gone from room to room to separate the Christians from the Muslims before abducting them (ibid.). Sources report that on 12 January 2015, a Libyan affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed to have abducted 21 Christians in Libya and released photos of some of the captives (AFP 12 Jan. 2015; AP 12 Jan. 2015). AP suggests that the ISIS captives include the Egyptians abducted from Sirte in early January (ibid.). However, Agence France-Presse (AFP) notes that, as of 12 January 2015, ISIS had not indicated where the men were abducted nor had it made any demands for their release (12 Jan. 2015).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, Bruce St John, an independent scholar who specializes in the North Africa and the Middle East, indicated that

[f]ollowing the successful conclusion of the February 17 Revolution [of 2011], the ensuing political chaos and mounting economic uncertainty resulted in more...expatriate Christians returning to their country of origin. In addition, Salafists and other militant Islamists have targeted Christians, Christian churches and Christian cemeteries. (St John, 11 Jan. 2015)

Media sources have also reported attacks on Christian churches in 2012 and 2013, including the following:

In December 2012, an explosion at a Coptic church near the city of Misrata killed two people and injured two more (BBC 30 Dec. 2012; Bloomberg 31 Dec. 2012).

In Benghazi, unknown gunmen reportedly assaulted and injured two priests at a Coptic church (Reuters 3 Mar. 2013; UN 15 Mar. 2013).

In 2012, at least a dozen armed men attacked and damaged 200 gravestones and a cross at a war cemetery for Commonwealth soldiers in Benghazi, and a video of the incident was posted online (BBC 4 Mar. 2012, Al Jazeera 5 Mar. 2012).

3. Legislation

Sources note that while Libya's 2011 interim constitution protects religious freedom, it also designates Islam as the state religion and Sharia law as the principal source of legislation (ECLJ 2014, 1; US 28 Jul. 2014, 2). The US International Religious Freedom Report for 2013 notes that although there is no law prohibiting proselytizing,

the practice of detaining suspected proselytizers and deporting them is not uncommon. Some Christians accused of disseminating religious material have reportedly been charged with crimes of "instigating division" and insulting Islam or the Prophet Muhammad, charges that could carry a maximum sentence of death. (ibid., 3)

In contrast, other sources indicate that proselytizing was illegal under the Gaddafi regime and that the prohibition remains in place (St John 11 Jan. 2015; The Guardian 17 Feb. 2013). The European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ), an international NGO dedicated to "promoting and protecting human rights around the world," states in its report titled Universal Periodic Review 2014: Religious Freedom in Libya that there is an "unstated policy preventing proselytizing by non-Muslims" (ECLJ 2014, 1). In an interview with the Guardian, Benghazi lawyer and human rights activist Bilal Bettamer expressed his opinion that proselytizing is "disrespectful" and indicated that the maximum penalty is death (The Guardian 17 Feb. 2013).

Sources report that in March 2013, four Christian foreign nationals were detained by officials on charges of proselytizing and distributing Christian literature (The Guardian 17 Feb. 2013; UN 15 Mar. 2013). The US Department of State's 2013 International Religious Freedom Report indicates that the four were detained in Benghazi and jailed for a total of two months (28 Jul. 2014, 4).

4. State Protection

Sources indicate that the interim government is limited in its capacity to enforce laws (Al Jazeera 28 Aug. 2014; UN 15 Mar. 2013; US 28 July 2014, 1) including attacks on religious minorities (ibid.; UN 15 Mar. 2013). The International Religious Freedom Report highlights the authorities' limited ability "to prevent violent extremist groups from taking advantage of the post-revolution security vacuum to attack religious minorities" (28 Jul. 2014, 1). For further information on the security situation in Libya, please see Response to Information Request LBY105017.E.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 12 January 2015. "ISIS Claim Abduction of 21 Christians in Libya: Activists." [Accessed 12 Jan. 2015]

Al Jazeera. 28 August 2014. "Libya Ambassador Warns of Looming Civil War." [Accessed 5 Jan. 2015]

_____. 5 March 2012. "World War II Graves Smashed in Libya." [Accessed 13 January 2015]

Associated Press (AP). 12 January 2015. "Libyan ISIS Affiliate Claims Kidnap of 21 Christians." [Accessed 12 Jan. 2015]

_____. 3 January 2015. Maggie Michael. "At Least 20 Egyptian Christians Kidnapped in Libya." [Accessed 14 Jan. 2015]

Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. 19 December 2014. Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (Belgium), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Security and Justice (Netherlands), Landinfo (Norway), Lifos (Sweden). Libya: Vulnerable Groups. [Accessed 8 Jan. 2015]

Bloomberg. 31 December 2012. "Bomb Blast at Egyptian Coptic Church in Libya's Misrata Kills 2." [Accessed 14 January 2015]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 24 February 2014. "Seven Egyptian Christians Found Dead near Benghazi." [Accessed 12 Jan. 2015]

_____. 30 December 2012. "Libya Coptic Church Blast Kills Two Egyptians." [Accessed 7 Jan. 2015]

_____. 4 March 2012. "Fury over Attack on British War Graves in Benghazi." [Accessed 14 January 2015]

European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ). 2014. Universal Periodic Review 2014: Religious Freedom in Libya. [Accessed 5 January 2015]

The Guardian. 17 February 2013. Chris Stephen. "Libya Arrests Foreign 'Missionaries'." [Accessed 5. Jan 2015]

Reuters. 3 January 2015. "Thirteen Egyptian Christians Kidnapped in Libya: State Media." [Accessed 5 January 2015]

_____. 24 February 2014. "Seven Egyptian Christians Found Shot Execution-Style on Libyan Beach." [Accessed 5 January 2015]

_____. 3 March 2013. "Gunmen Attack Church in Libya's Benghazi: State Media." [Accessed 7 January 2015]

St John, Bruce. 11 January 2015. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate.

United Nations (UN). 5 September 2014. Security Council. Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. (S/2014/653) [Accessed 9 January 2015]

_____. 15 March 2013. Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). "Security of Christian Communities 'Precarious' in Libya - Archbishop." [Accessed 8 Jan. 2015]

United States (US). 28 July 2014. Department of State. "Libya." 2013 International Religious Freedom Report. [Accessed 5 Jan. 2015]

_____. 20 June 2014. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "Libya." The World Factbook. [Accessed 12 Jan. 2015]

_____. 27 Feburary 2014. "Libya." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013. [Accessed 7 Jan. 2015]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral Sources: Attempts to contact the following individuals and organizations were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response: Canada - Embassy to Tunisia; a researcher specializing in Libyan minorities from the Institute for Social Anthropology; Libya Mission to the United Nations; Libya - Embassy to Canada.

Internet sites, including: The Christian Post; ecoi.net; Egypt - Middle East News Agency; Factiva; Foreign Policy; Global Security; Human Rights Watch; The New York Times; United Kingdom - Country of Origin Information Service; United Nations - High Commissioner for Refugees.