Source: www.uscirf.gov
Date: November 28, 2023
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Compendium of National Anti-Conversion Laws – This report documents the text of the 73 national anti-conversion laws on the books around the world. In total, 46 countries have at least one national anti-conversion law in force. Four types of national anti-conversion laws are documented: anti-proselytism laws, interfaith marriage laws, apostasy laws, and identity documentation laws. The report explains how each type violates international human rights law by restricting an individual’s freedom to leave or change their religion. The report also provides a global and regional analysis of national anti-conversion laws that highlights similarities among them.
This report builds upon USCIRF’s recent publications on India’s State-Level Anti-Conversion Laws and Blasphemy and Related Laws in ASEAN Member Countries. USCIRF also recently released a Blasphemy Law Compendium and a Legislation Factsheet on Blasphemy.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at