WESTERN SAHARA

Although the Moroccan Constitution provides for freedom of religion, only Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are tolerated in practice; however, several foreign communities enjoy some religious privileges.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report.

Relations among religious believers were generally amicable.

The U. S. Embassy in Morocco discusses religious freedom issues in the overall context of the promotion of human rights in the Western Sahara.

Section I. Government Policies on Freedom of Religion

Legal/Policy Framework

Due to continuing Moroccan administrative control of the territory of the Western Sahara, conditions for religious freedom in that territory are similar to those found in the Kingdom of Morocco. Although the Moroccan Constitution provides for freedom of religion, only Islam, Christianity and Judaism are tolerated in practice; however, several foreign communities enjoy some religious privileges.

Religious Demography

Apart from a tiny foreign community working for the United Nations Interposition Force in the territory (known by its French acronym, MINURSO), the overwhelming majority of the population are Sunni Muslim.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report.

There were no reports of religious detainees or prisoners.

Forced Religious Conversion of Minor U.S. Citizens

There were no reports of the forced religious conversion of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or of the authorities' refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.

Section II. Societal Attitudes

Relations among religious believers were generally amicable.

Section III. U.S. Government Policy

The U.S. Embassy in Morocco discusses religious freedom issues in the overall context of the promotion of human rights in the Western Sahara.

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