ALGERS: Algeria said Monday it places no restrictions whatsoever on religious freedom, saying a US State Department report was marred by unfounded allegations.
There are no restrictions on religious freedoms in Algeria, said Minister for Religious Affairs Bouabdellah Ghlamallah, adding that the North African nation welcomes non-Muslims who live here in tranquility .
An annual report from the US State Department said there had been a deterioration of religious freedom in Algeria as well as China, Jordan and Egypt in 2007-08.
In Algeria, it said, the government s de facto and de jure policies have precipitated a decline in the status of religious freedom during this reporting period .
It underlined legislation in February banning proselytism.
Ghlamallah said: These allegations are unfounded as there is no proof of churches closing or threats being made against someone because of their religion.
I want to reassure Christians living in Algeria, whether expats or Algerian nationals, that their freedom of religious association is guaranteed.
He acknowledged that a few foreigners have been detained by the relevant authorities for illegal behavior, as has been the case with Algerians living abroad and without any religious considerations.
He went on to state that the United States itself had refused entry to Islamic preachers.
On July 3 two Algerian Protestant converts, accused of distributing literature which goes against Muslim faith, were sentenced to six month suspended jail sentences by an Algerian court.
One month earlier, four converts to Christianity were given suspended jail terms for the illegal practice of a non-Muslim religion by a criminal court in Tiaret, in southwest Algeria. -AFP
