U.S. Report on Religious Freedom in Middle East

            Blasphemy and apostasy laws were applied in a discriminatory manner in several Middle Eastern and North African countries in 2012, according to a new report by the U.S. State Department. “These laws are frequently used to repress dissent, to harass political opponents, and to settle personal vendettas,” Secretary of State Kerry said on May 20. In Saudi Arabia, activists were reportedly arrested and charged with apostasy and blasphemy. Under Egypt’s new constitution, prosecutors pursued cases against individuals for denigrating religion.