Eritrea

What does persecution look like in Eritrea?

Eritrea’s persecution landscape is complex. On the church front, the government recognises only the Eritrean Orthodox Church (EOC), Catholic and Lutheran churches, and Islam. Converts from Islam or Orthodoxy to Protestantism risk severe mistreatment from their families and communities. Non-traditional churches face the harshest violations from both the government and the EOC. For many years, government security forces have conducted house-to-house raids, arresting hundreds of Christians. 

In Eritrea, daily life is heavily monitored, with phone calls and internet usage under constant scrutiny. Eritrea is often called the ‘North Korea of Africa’ due to extreme state control. Christians, especially those not recognised by the state, suffer the most. Extreme pressure, state-sanctioned violence and conscription are forcing some Christians to flee the country. Conscription presses young Christians into indefinite military service without the right to conscientious objection.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?

Christians who convert from Islam (and, to a lesser extent, leave Orthodoxy for Protestantism) face the most pressure from family and community. But all Christians in Eritrea face intense scrutiny from the government, risking arrest and indefinite detention. Hotspots for Islamist extremism are the lowlands, both in western and eastern regions. 

Meet "Paulos"

We live in fear of who will be arrested next. Will it be another brother in Christ? Will it be me? But we must continue to walk with God.

a believer in Eritrea

What has changed this year?

Eritrea fell two places in the rankings, but retains the same score as last year's World Watch List. It remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for followers of Christ. Things haven't changed much during the last year. This year saw yet another mass arrest of Christians. If anything, Eritrea has retreated further back into its international outcast status. This increasing isolation means the situation for believers in Eritrea will likely continue to be difficult... and ignored.

What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Eritrea?

Open Doors works through local church partners in Eritrea to provide economic empowerment projects, discipleship training and persecution survival training.

How can you pray for Eritrea?

• Eritrea has one of the most notorious prison networks in the world. Pray for imprisoned believers... that they will not lose hope. And pray for their immediate release.
• Pray for those believers who are forced into military service against their will. Pray God will protect them and guide them to live out their faith.
• Pray for the families of those arrested. Children grow up without knowing their mother or father. Pray that God will provide for all their needs.

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