Top 5 Muslim Countries Where Freedom Does Not Exist

We hear their names on the news enough for these countries to become household names. The television sets in our living rooms act as windows into the Middle East's most oppressive, totalitarian regimes. The less freedom citizens are given, the more likely they are to rebel and form terrorist groups. This does not mean that all conservative Arab nations are terrorist breeding grounds, but it increases the chances.

In conservative Muslim nations, Islam is the law of the land and there are no exceptions. In the modern world we live in today, this often conflicts with civil liberties and freedom which humans are entitled to. The following are the most conservative Middle Eastern countries in the world, according to the State of the World Liberty Index.

5. Saudi Arabia - This kingdom of 27.6 million people is world's leading exporter of petroleum while one of the most criticized nations on human rights. The Qur'an is the constitution of the land and capital punishment is used within the courts along with amputations of body parts for crimes such as: robbery, adultery, rape, homosexuality, and drug trafficking. Saudi Arabia is also the only country in the world which bans women from being behind the wheel and abayas (the full body coverings) are mandatory at all time. Also, alcohol is prohibited by law.

4. Yemen - In the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula lays Yemen, a Muslim nation suffering from rampant corruption within its government and is world renowned for its human rights infractions. People are arrested arbitrarily, torture is widespread within its prisons, and due process is virtually inexistent. Freedom of religion, press, and speech also do not exist in Yemen; Security forces tap phone calls, open letters, and monitor every internet communication.

3. Iran - Ironically, Iran has the earliest charter of human rights dating back to the 6^th century BC. Religious freedom was allowed and slavery was abolished. But today, the story is different. Since the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s, more than 10,000 political prisoners have been executed and freedom of speech has been more constrained. The government continues to close down newspaper publications and ban books and websites. Men in Iran can have up to four wives and unilaterally seek divorce from his wife. In almost all cases, child custody goes to the father.

2. Syria - President Al-Assad and his cabinet have a tight grip on Syrian freedom by controlling speech, religion, movement, amongst other liberties. Arrests are arbitrary and torture is used upon being jailed. There are currently about 4,000 political prisoners in Syrian jails next to murderers and rapists. The president and his ministers are required to be Muslim and though in the Syrian constitution freedom of religion are referred to; Jehovah Witness's are greatly discriminated against.

1. Libya - The authoritarian regime of Libya banned political parties in 1972, virtually eliminating all possible opposition; and its treatment of prisoners is only second to worst in the world, right behind North Korea. This North African nation of 6 million arrests its people arbitrarily with many never seeing the inside of the courtroom. Free press does not exist and everything is state run and organized. People are tortured and killed if they protest against the government or its leader. The death penalty is used on minimal infractions, women are frequently assaulted, and alcohol is strictly prohibited. In recent years, small reforms from the government have proved to be rays of light to the Libyan people, such as the release of political prisoners. Regardless of small actions taken on Gaddafi's part, Libya is undeniably the un-freest Middle Eastern nation in the world.