We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.

Eritrea

World Watch List ranking: 4

How many Christians?

1.7 million (46%)

Leader

President Isaias Afwerki

SUMMARY

Christians in churches the government refuses to formally approve are considered enemies of the state and have faced beatings, imprisonment and torture. Those who are arrested have been locked in metal shipping containers battling with horrific heat in the day and freezing temperatures at night. Islamic extremism is on the rise, and radical groups seem well connected with country leaders.

EVERY £8

Could provide a young person from Central Asia with a Bible in their own language

EVERY £26

Could provide trauma care for a victim of violent persecution

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“Even when we are in suffering, we rejoice. Our happiness is not based on what we have or do not have. When people see that, they accept Jesus.”

Pastor Gideon, who has spent more than six years in prison for his faith

ERITREA: QUICK FACTS

  • Christians in non approved denominations are considered enemies of the state and have faced beatings, imprisonment, harassment and torture.
  • Those who are arrested have been locked in metal shipping containers battling with horrific heat in the day and freezing temperatures at night.
  • Islamic extremism is on the rise, and radical groups seem well connected with country leaders.
  • Christians from unapproved denominations are looked at suspiciously, and the government encourages people to spy on them.

ERITREA: THE BASICS

It’s known as the ‘North Korea of Africa’ due to its intense authoritarian government. Eritrea only recognises three heavily monitored Christian denominations (Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran), so anyone who follows Jesus outside of these denominations – such as evangelicals or Pentecostals – is at constant risk. Speaking out about persecution or government interference in church matters is not tolerated at all. 

Raids to round up ‘unsanctioned’ believers are common, with church leaders particularly targeted. Those seized in these raids are often sent into Eritrea’s notorious prison network, where they can be detained indefinitely. Current estimates suggest around 1,000 Eritrean Christians are imprisoned, and they haven’t been charged with any crime. Members of some house churches have been in prison for more than 10 years, enduring shocking conditions, including solitary confinement in tiny cells.

The government watches every citizen of Eritrea, promoting a stigma against Christians. This means that anyone who converts from Islam or joins a non-approved Christian denomination is likely to come under intense pressure from their family and community, along with the government. Women are particularly vulnerable – converts risk abduction, house arrest, forced marriage to a Muslim or removal of their children. 

Following Jesus in Eritrea comes at an incredible cost, but courageous believers continue to walk with Him. 

Eritrea: More Details

Abdullah’s story

Becoming a Christian in Eritrea cost Abdullah* everything. His job, his freedom and eventually his life. This persecution might have ended if he’d renounced Jesus – but that was something he refused to do. He knows Jesus is worth the cost. 

Like most Eritreans, Abdullah grew up in a Muslim home. When he decided to follow Jesus, he could have been a secret believer – but he was so passionate about his new faith that he couldn’t keep it quiet. He told everyone at work about Jesus – he wanted them to know the good news too! One of his coworkers was angry, and secretly recorded him while baiting him into making political comments. The next day, Abdullah was arrested and imprisoned. 

In prison, he was only given food three times a week. His wife wasn’t allowed to bring him any extra food or clothes, or even to see him – though she did receive letters, in which she learned that he was getting increasingly sick in prison. Tragically, he eventually died.  

Those close to the family say that Abdullah was imprisoned to discourage his faith. Ultimately, the authorities wanted him to deny Christ and convert back to Islam. He was told that, were he to do this, the charges against him would be dropped. But no imprisonment, hunger, torture or sickness could separate Abdullah from the love of God.

*Name changed for security reasons

Watch Eyal’s Story

In this inspiring video Eyal shares how the courage of Eritrean believers is helping them to stand firm in the face of persecution, imprisonment and even death.

How is Open Doors helping

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

PRAY NOW

Heavenly Father, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Eritrea. They have been so faithful for so long despite decades of unceasing risk and violence. We pray especially for those believers who are in prison – please be with them and comfort them, right now. We boldly ask for a change in Eritrea, that You would change the hearts of the authorities who target Your people. We ask these things in Jesus' name, Amen. 

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LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:

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400,000 (1.5% of the population)

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Somalia

Hundreds (in a population of 16.8 million)

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Libya

35,100 (0.5%)

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Yemen

A small number (exact figures are hard to define)

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Nigeria

103 million (46.4%)

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Pakistan

4.2 million (1.8%)

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Sudan

2 million (4.3%)

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Iran

1.2 million (under 1.4% of the population)

Converting to Christianity from Islam is illegal in Iran, a place where Christians ca be arrested simply for attending a house church…

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Afghanistan

Thousands (in a population of 41 million)

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