Eritrea is a single-party state led by the Popular Front for Democracy and Justice party (PFDJ) under the leadership of President Isaias Afwerki since its independence in 1993. The constitution of Eritrea states that the government must protect freedom of thought, conscience, and belief, as well as the right of individuals to practice the religion of their choice, but this right is not protected in practice. Eritrea’s population is split in half between Christians (49 percent) and Muslims (49 percent). The Christian population mainly resides in the southern and central regions of the country, whereas the Muslim population lives predominantly in the northern region. The Muslim population is predominantly Sunni, and the Christian community is predominantly Eritrean Orthodox, with various denominations including Catholics, Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Pentecostals also represented. In addition to these two main religious groups, there is a small community of Baha’is (approximately 200 individuals) and a tiny Jewish community. Finally, about 2 percent of the population, who resides in the southwestern region, practice African traditional religions. In 1995, the government passed Proclamation No. 73, allowing it to intervene in and exert full control of political, civic, and religious activities. Using this law, the government systematically oppresses secular and religious activists for advocating for human rights or dissenting from the government’s positions. Using intimidation, imprisonment, and torture against those who oppose his government, President Afwerki has consolidated power in Eritrea. For example, in 2019 when Eritreans took to the street to demand the advancement of basic human rights, including religious freedom, the government deployed its security forces to disperse the protests, killing and injuring tens of peaceful protesters. In July 2018, Eritrea signed the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship with its neighbor, Ethiopia, ending years of hostility and conflict between the two countries. The peace accord was anticipated to usher in a new era of respect for civic and political liberties as it ended Eritrea’s diplomatic isolation. However, the government continued its systematic oppression of political, human rights and religious activists by severely limiting their activities and imprisoning many of them. The 2020 internal war in Ethiopia had a direct impact on religious freedom issues in Eritrea. According to reports, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) accused Eritrea of supporting and aiding the Ethiopian military to carry out air strikes against it. In retaliation, the TPLF launched attacks against Eritrea, forcing tens of thousands of Eritreans to flee to neighboring Sudan and Ethiopia, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. Using this as a pretense, the Eritrean government further limited freedom of expression, including religious freedom. In 2020, refugees continued to flee Eritrea on a regular basis to the neighboring countries of Sudan, Ethiopia, and beyond to escape persecution and inhumane treatment by their government. Repression of Unregistered Religious Groups The government of Eritrea deems unregistered religious groups illegal and bans them from openly practicing their faiths. The most prominent unregistered religious groups include: Protestants (Pentecostals and Seventh-day Adventists), Salafi Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, Baha’is, Shi’a Muslims, and adherents of African Indigenous Religions. According to reports, members of these groups are constantly harassed, arrested, and deprived of their civic and human rights. Nontheists are also denied legal rights and equal protection and run the risk of arrest. Coming out as an atheist or agnostic in Eritrea would provoke arrest by the government and social pressure and isolation. The government particularly views Jehovah’s Witnesses and Salafi Muslims as political forces and therefore severely restricts their activities and punishes them with long prison sentences for practicing their faith. Positive Developments In 2020, authorities in Asmara released from prison a total of 244 prisoners of conscience from various religions and denominations. Some of those religious prisoners were released conditionally. Releases included 22 Methodist Christians in July, 101 Muslims in August, 27 Evangelical Christians and 66 Pentecostals in September and 28 Jehovah’s Witnesses in December. Observers suggested these releases were made to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in overcrowded prisons. While these releases were positive steps, hundreds of individuals remain detained for practicing their faith. In addition to these prisoner releases, the government also eased some restrictions on the Baha’i community, the tiny Jewish community and Greek Orthodox by allowing their members to worship openly in 2020. Specifically, the government permitted the Baha’i community to operate its center in Asmara as well as join the international Baha’i community as an active member. However, the government banned the Baha’i community from soliciting or accepting foreign funding. Additionally, the Greek Orthodox church in Asmara was open to the public as a heritage site as well as a worship place in 2020. The Greek Orthodox congregation worshiped there regularly throughout the year. Finally, the tiny Jewish community was allowed to worship at its synagogue in Asmara. Key U.S. Policy Since 2010, Eritrea and the United States have not exchanged ambassadors due to poor diplomatic relations. In recent years, however, the two countries have been engaging to improve their bilateral relations. In May 2019, a congressional delegation led by Representative Karen Bass (D-CA) visited Eritrea—the first congressional visit in 14 years. In September 2019, a U.S. Department of State delegation visited Asmara to open a direct dialogue with Eritrean officials. The delegation also met with human rights activists and faith leaders. During both visits, the delegations highlighted the importance of advancing human rights issues, including freedom of religion or belief. They also discussed the unlawful imprisonment of religious leaders, human rights activists, and political leaders, as well as the need to allow for alternative civilian services for conscientious objectors. Finally, the U.S. Embassy in Asmara has engaged young Eritreans to build their leadership skills by participating in the East Africa regional leadership academies and attending trainings in Washington, DC, to advance civic and political rights in Eritrea. The State Department has designated Eritrea as a CPC for systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom since 2004. Most recently, on December 2, the State Department redesignated it and maintained an arms embargo on Eritrea under 22 CFR 126.1 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. U S C I R F – R E C O M M E N D E D F O R C O U N T R I E S O F PA R T I C U L A R C O N C E R N ( C P C ) 21 ERITREA Background