In spite of the significant regional political changes, Eritrea continues to have one of the worst religious freedom records in Africa and it has shown little interest in concretely improving the situation. No new religious institutions were officially registered, and thus only four religious communities remain legally permitted to operate: the Coptic Orthodox Church of Eritrea, Sunni Islam, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Evangelical Church of Eritrea, a Lutheran-affiliated denomination.

Source: THE ABUNA BLESSES THE FOUNTAIN IN ASMARA FOR TIMKET, RUETERS / Old

RELIGIOUS PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE

Patriarch Abune Antonios

Patriarch Abune Antonios was born on July 12, 1927, in Himberti, a town north of the Eritrean capital, Asmara. He was ordained as the third Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tawahedo Church in 2004.

At age 5, Patriarch Antonios… Read More >

RELIGIOUS PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE

Patriarch Abune Antonios

Patriarch Abune Antonios was born on July 12, 1927, in Himberti, a town north of the Eritrean capital, Asmara. He was ordained as the third Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tawahedo Church in 2004.

At age 5, Patriarch Antonios… Read More >

Recent News

All
Press Releases
Op-Eds
Speeches
Spotlight

USCIRF Releases Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Violations against Muslims in Africa

USCIRF Releases New Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Conditions in Eritrea

VOA: Annual Report on International Religious Freedom

USCIRF Releases 2021 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy

USCIRF Releases New Report about Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses

View All News

USCIRF Releases Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Violations against Muslims in Africa

USCIRF Releases New Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Conditions in Eritrea

USCIRF Releases 2021 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy

USCIRF Releases New Report about Global Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses

USCIRF Raises Alarm about Speech Laws that Restrict Religious Freedom in More than Half of African Countries

View Press Releases

The Hill: The List No One Wants to Be On

Washington Examiner: Restoring religious freedom in the 'North Korea of Africa'

Religion News Service: Stripped of his title and illegally replaced, Eritrea’s spiritual leader languishes in detention

Philadelphia Inquirer -- Commentary: Release every religious prisoner of conscience

The Christian Science Monitor - Is Eritrea the North Korea of Africa?

View Op-Eds

Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett, 2013 Annual Report, National Endowment for Democracy

View Speeches
Sorry, no results found.
View Spotlight

Publications

Annual Report
Reports, Briefs, and Factsheets

2021 Annual Report

Eritrea Annual Report Chapters and Translations

View Annual Report Chapters & Translations

Violations against Muslims in Africa Factsheet

October 20, 2021

Eritrea Country Update

August 19, 2021

Factsheet: Nonbelievers in Africa

June 11, 2021

Issue Update: The Global Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses

November 10, 2020
View Reports, Briefs, and Factsheets

Congressional Testimony

Congressional Testimony
Government Correspondence

Testimony of Vice Chair Maenza on Global Persecution of Christians

July 09, 2019

Testimony of Commissioner Thomas Reese on Refugees and Religious Freedom Eritrea

April 18, 2018

View Congressional Testimony
Sorry, no results found.
View Government Correspondence