Followers of Jesus face indefinite imprisonment, conscription, and abuse.
bottom"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.”
– Paulos
Eritrea remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for followers of Christ. The country fell two places in the rankings but retains the same score as last year’s World Watch List. Simply put, Eritrea didn’t get better, the countries that overtook it got worse.
Eritrea is often called the “North Korea of Africa” due to extreme state control. The country has retreated further into its international outcast status, which means the situation for believers will likely continue to be difficult—and ignored.
The government only recognises the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Catholic, and Lutheran Churches, and Islam. Converts from Islam or Orthodoxy to Protestantism risk severe mistreatment from their families and communities.
Daily life is heavily monitored, with phone calls and internet usage under constant scrutiny. Christians, especially those not recognised by the state, suffer the most. For many years, government security forces have conducted house-to-house raids, arresting hundreds of believers. Extreme pressure, state-sanctioned violence, and conscription are forcing some Christians to flee the country. Conscription pushes young Christians—male and female—into indefinite military service without the right to conscientious objection.
Christians who convert from Islam, or leave Orthodoxy for Protestantism, face the most pressure from family and community. But all Christians in Eritrea face intense scrutiny from the government, risking arbitrary arrest and indefinite detention for attending secret church meetings.
Pastors are especially targeted. They endure harassment, imprisonment, and constant surveillance, making it difficult to lead their communities. This persecution extends to their families, causing economic distress and social stigma.
– That arrested believers will be freed and for God to provide for their families.
– For believers forced into military service to be protected and guided in their faith.
– For imprisoned believers to not lose hope and to be immediately released.
Open Doors works through local church partners in Eritrea to provide economic empowerment projects, discipleship training, and persecution survival training.
