Eritrea evangelicals face neighborhood ‘spying’

ERITREA, North Africa — Eritrea’s outlawed Protestants confirmed that their neighbors are being hired to report to security agents any gatherings of evangelical believers in their communities. Police ‘spies’ are rewarded with special benefits, including exemption from military service and extra allotments of sugar and flour.

Since May 2002, when the government ordered Eritrea’s 12 independent Pentecostal and charismatic churches closed, their 20,000 members have gathered secretly in small groups in private homes. Hundreds have been arrested for holding worship services, possessing Bibles or witnessing about their faith.

Currently at least 286 Eritrean evangelicals are known to be imprisoned in nine different locations in the country. Protestant pastors say the Department of Religious Affairs has made no progress toward the official registration of their churches.

“The only answer we get is that our applications are with the president,” one remarked.  (TAB)