Eritrea orders Protestant assets confiscated

ASMARA, Eritrea — The Eritrean government demanded this September that the Kale Hiwot Church surrender all its property and physical assets to the government. The written confiscation order targets possessions of the Protestant church’s relief department, including all church buildings, schools, vehicles and other assets. Security police raided and closed down the central offices of the Kale Hiwot Church in Asmara’s Paradizo district last October.

The raid in effect closed down not only the church office but also several humanitarian aid projects operated by Kale Hiwot, which oversees an orphanage and kindergartens throughout the country. “This is a direct attack upon the church,” one source said. “It is the final act of banning this church.