El Salvador

El Salvador generally respects freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief, though there is special recognition and privilege for the Catholic Church, and “insulting” religion is an imprisonable offence.

The penal code imposes criminal sentences of six months to two years on those who publicly offend or insult the religious beliefs of others, or damage or destroy religious objects. If such acts are carried out with and for the purpose of publicity, sentences increase to one to three years in prison. Repeat offenders face prison sentences of three to eight years. There appear to have been no recent prosecutions under this law.