Freedom of religion in Syria

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The constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic guarantees freedom of religion. Syria has had two constitutions: one passed in 1973, and one in 2012 through the 2012 Syrian constitutional referendum. Opposition groups rejected the referendum; claiming that the vote was rigged.[1]

Syria has come under international condemnation over its sectarian policies towards Syrian Sunnis, prohibition on religious groups like Jehovah's witnesses, suppression of Protestant churches and for normalising anti-Semitic tropes through state media.[2][3][4][5]

In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom,[6] with the government controlling the appointment of Muslim religious leaders, restricted proselytizing, a ban on conversion of Muslims and active terror threats.

In the same year, the country was ranked as the 12th most difficult place in the world to be a Christian.[7]

  1. ^ Phil Sands (28 February 2012). "Referendum was 'rigged', Syria opposition groups claim". Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  2. ^ US State Dept 2022 report
  3. ^ "2010 Syria". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Protestant Christianity in Syria". Harvard.edu. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Don't try too hard: Protestant Christians are under rare fire". The Economist. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022.
  6. ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08
  7. ^ Open Doors website, retrieved 2023-08-08