Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

Sources indicate that the Eritrean government permits the Orthodox Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Catholic Church, and Sunni Islam to operate (CSW 23 June 2016, 4; Christian Today 20 Jan. 2016). According to Christian Today [1], all other religious expressions are "outlawed" (Christian Today 20 Jan. 2016). According to Church in Chains, [2] "worship outside" of the four government sanctioned groups is "forbidden" (Church in Chains 29 July 2013). The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), "the global representative body of the humanist movement" that includes "non-religious organizations and individuals" (IHEU n.d.) indicates that "[m]embers of 'unrecognized' religions are arrested [and] detained in oppressive conditions" (IHEU 2016). Church in Chains similarly states that beginning in 2002, "Christians from banned denominations began to be arrested … and incarcerated in appalling conditions" (23 Aug. 2016). For further information on treatment of Christians, including unrecognized denominations, see Response to Information Request ERI104541 of September 2013. For further information on the treatment of Evangelical and Pentecostal Christians by authorities, see Response to Information Request ERI104987 of October 2014.

Christian Today reports that "[t]he government exercises tight control over [the] activities" of the recognized religious groups (20 Jan. 2016). According to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom's (USCIRF) Annual Report 2016, recognized religious communities

are required to submit activity reports every six months; instructed not to accept funds from co-religionists abroad (an order with which the Eritrean Orthodox Church reportedly said it would not comply); and have had religious leaders appointed by government officials. The Eritrean government has appointed the Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church … , as well as other lower-level religious officials. (US 2 May 2016)

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Africa and Middle East Team Leader for Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) [3] stated that

[t]here is no freedom of religion or belief in Eritrea. Even recognised faiths such as the Orthodox Church are subject to tight control. In fact, amongst the permitted churches and faiths, the Orthodox Church is particularly subject to intrusive official measures. The government ceases funds and even closes down monasteries. (CSW 4 Jan. 2017)

A December 2010 report from the Swiss Refugee Council (Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe, SFH) cites a 2003 In Chains for Christ (ICFC) [4] report as stating that after 1991, a reform movement developed out of the youth organization of the Eritrean Orthodox Church (SFH 13 Dec. 2010, 4). The same source cites correspondence with [translation] "an Eritrea expert" as stating that the renewal movement calls itself Tehadiso Menkesekas, [translation] "which is to say, a renewal movement within the church" (SFH 13 Dec. 2010, 4). According to the same source, the movement does not consider itself to be an independent church and has been referred to as the Medhane Alem Movement, given its origins in the Sunday school of the Medhane Alem church community in Asmara(SFH 13 Dec. 2010, 4). According to this source, the use of the name Medhane Alem Movement comes from its use on foreign Christian websites, and via these websites this name was adopted by followers of the Tehadiso movement in the Eritrean diaspora community (SFH 13 Dec. 2010, 4). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. For more information on the Medhane Alem Movement, including treatment of its members, see Response to Information Request ERI105095 of March 2015.

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Chairperson of the Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network (PAHRD-Net) and Executive Director of DefendDefenders [5] indicated that

[t]he core teachings of T[e]hadiso are based on Christian renewals, different opinions and criticism to Orthodox Church practices and beliefs. The teachings are purely religious and their views and practices could be assimilated to Born Again practices. (Chairperson 11 Jan. 2017, emphasis in original)

The Africa and Middle East Team Leader for CSW stated that "Tehadiso" means "reformed," and that "[t]he core teachings of the Tehadiso Eritrean Orthodox Church are no different from those of the rest of the Eritrean Orthodox Church" (CSW 4 Jan. 2017).

Church in Chains states that in 2005 authorities began "persecuting the Eritrean Orthodox Church, particularly those in its renewal movement" (29 July 2013). According to the 2015 report by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea,

[t]he Eritrean Orthodox Church, the predominant Christian church in Eritrea, was relatively free from any interference from the Government until the leaders and members of an emerging youth movement, Medhane Alem Church, were arrested. Abune Antoni[os], the then Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, denounced the State's actions and refused to excommunicate the members of the movement when pressured by the Government. (UN 5 June 2015, para. 659)

Other sources similarly indicate that Patriarch Abune Antonios was removed from leading the Orthodox Church on 20 January 2006 after he refused a government order to excommunicate members of his Church (Christian Today 20 Jan. 2016; US 10 Jan. 2017). In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a representative of USCIRF explained that the government removed Patriarch Abune Antonios after he refused to heed their call to excommunicate several thousand church members due to their political activities (US 10 Jan. 2017). A 2013 report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to the Human Rights Council for Eritrea's Universal Periodic Review states that UN Special Procedures mandate holders sent communications in 2007 and 2012 to Eritrean authorities

regarding Abune Antonios, Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewhado Church, who has been under house arrest since January 2006 for refusing to excommunicate 3,000 members of the Medhane Alem Sunday School movement and calling for the release of other imprisoned Christians. On 27 May 2007, Patriarch Antonios was forcibly removed from his residence and taken to an undisclosed location, and has since been detained incommunicado. (UN 11 Nov. 2013, para. 19)

The USCIRF representative similarly indicated that Patriarch Abune Antonios was put under house arrest in May 2007 at an "undisclosed location" (US 10 Jan. 2017). Christian Today states that Patriarch Abune Antonios has been under house arrest since May 2007 (20 Jan. 2016). The Africa and Middle East Team Leader for CSW stated that:

[a] patriarch is appointed for life by the Pope in Egypt and can only be replaced if he is mentally infirm, has committed heresy, or has engaged in immorality. [The] opponents [of Patriarch Antonios] tried to prove Patriarch Antonios had committed heresy by supporting the Medhane Alem or Renewal branch of the Orthodox Church, which was popular with young Eritreans, but this was dismissed as erroneous and the Egyptian Orthodox Papacy under Popes Shenouda and Tawadros has continued to advocate for the reinstatement of Patriarch Antonios. (CSW 4 Jan. 2017)

The 2015 report of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea states that the Commission had received information indicating that "rumours had been spread, allegedly by the Government, that the Patriarch was 'a Protestant and interested in converting the Church into a protestant religion' and had 'neglected his people'" (UN 5 June 2015, para. 659, italics in original). The same source further indicates that

[t]he Government officially announced that it was taking over the administration of the Church in a 2005 circular. Abune Antonius was ultimately replaced by Abune Dioskoros, Bishop of Mendefera, in contravention of the procedures of the Church whereby a patriarch is only replaced upon his death and only by election. (UN 5 June 2015, para. 659, italics in original)

The Africa and Middle East Team Leader for CSW stated that "[t]he death of Dios[k]oros at the end of 2015 has left the church without a leader. The government appears hesitant to choose another unrecognised replacement, and will not reinstate the legitimate patriarch" (CSW 4 Jan. 2017).

The same source added that

[b]y describing [people] as "Tehadiso", the government seeks to identify them as heretical. Since in Orthodox tradition, this refers to churches following a corrupted version of doctrine, the aim is to mark them out as followers of impure doctrine that must be shunned. (CSW 4 Jan. 2017)

The same source further stated that "[t]hose deemed Tehadiso are persecuted in the same severe manner as Evangelicals and others deemed to be against the government" (CSW 4 Jan. 2017).

The Chairperson of the PAHRD-Net and Executive Director of DefendDefenders stated that

Tehadiso is a new ideology to the Eritrean society … Members of society including families are hostile to the [Tehadiso] ideology and often create discrimination and rejection. To some extent[,] they are excommunicated from their community. Although it is not clearly mentioned in law, it is illegal to freely assemble any Tehadiso gatherings. Possible sanction could be repression, arrest, ban or even detention incommunicado. The most plausible justification could even … in some cases [amount] to treason. (Chairperson 11 Jan. 2017)

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The Africa and Middle East Team Leader for CSW stated that

[s]ince the patriarch was imprisoned, priests, nuns and laypeople who remained loyal to him have been imprisoned, forced into military training or have felt obliged to leave the country. 

Meanwhile, the government has effectively seized control of the church's finances and administration. (CSW 4 Jan. 2017)

Sources similarly indicate that there are instances where individuals, including clergy who protest the removal of Patriarch Abune Antonios, have been detained (US 10 Jan. 2017) or that "increasing numbers" of Orthodox clergy who remain loyal to the Orthodox Patriarch are detained (CSW 23 June 2016, 4). Church in Chains states that "[s]everal priests have been in prison since 2004 because of their involvement in a renewal movement within the Orthodox Church" (23 Aug. 2016). The 2015 report by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea states that, according to information obtained by the Commission,

[t]he third Patriarch's secretary was … allegedly arrested following [the deposition of Abune Antonios]. Information received suggests that he has not been released.

Clerics who addressed a letter to the Government on behalf of the Synod in protest of the deposition of Abune Antoni[o]s were also arrested. (UN 5 June 2015, paras. 660-661)

The 2016 report by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea states that in April 2016 "over ten Orthodox Priests were detained" for protesting the continued detention of Abune Antonios as well as government plans to appoint a new Patriarch after the death of Dioskoros (UN 8 June 2016, para. 117). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] Christian Today is an "independent Christian media company" established in 2004 and based in London, UK (Christian Today n.d.).

[2] Church in Chains is "an independent Irish charity … that encourages prayer and action in support of persecuted Christians worldwide," including Eritrea (Church in Chains n.d.).

[3] Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organization advocating for religious freedom, that "works in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, defending everyone's right to freedom of religion or belief," "prioriti[zing] working for Christians of all denominations and traditions" (CSW n.d.).

[4] In Chains for Christ is the website of the St. Athanasius Charitable Society (SACS), a US-based, Christian, "human rights and charitable organization dedicated to advocating for religious freedom in Eritrea" (SACS n.d.).

[5] The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP), [DefendDefenders] supports human rights defenders by "reducing their vulnerability and … enhancing their capacity to effectively defend human rights," including in Eritrea (The EHAHRDP n.d.). DefendDefenders "serves as the Secretariat of The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network representing more than 70 members … and their organizations" (EHAHRDP n.d.).

References

Chairperson of the Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network (PAHRD-Net) and Executive Director of DefendDefenders. 11 January 2017. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). 4 January 2017. Correspondence from the Team Leader for Africa and the Middle East to the Research Directorate.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). 23 June 2016. Religious Persecution and Refugees. [Accessed 23 Dec. 2016]

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 16 Jan. 2017]

Christian Today. 20 January 2016. Mark Woods. "Eritrea: Calls for Orthodox Patriarch's Release 10 Years after Government Deposed Him." [Accessed 4 Jan. 2017]

Christian Today. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 19 Jan. 2017]

Church in Chains. 23 August 2016. "Eritrea." [Accessed 28 Dec. 2016]

Church in Chains. 29 July 2013. "Eritrea: 29 Christian Students Arrested; Christian Dies in Prison." [Accessed 28 Dec. 2016]

Church in Chains. N.d. "What We Do." [Accessed 13 Jan. 2017]

The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP). N.d. "About EHAHRDP." [Accessed on 16 Jan. 2017]

International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). 2016. "Eritrea." The Freedom of Thought Report. [Accessed 28 Dec. 2016]

International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). N.d. "About IHEU." [Accessed 20 Jan. 2017]

Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe (SFH). 13 December 2010. Alexandra Geiser. "Eritrea: Die Mekane-Hiwot-Medhanie-Alem-Kirche. Auskunft der SFH-Länderanalyse." [Accessed 28 Dec. 2016]

St. Athanasius Charitable Society (SACS). N.d. "In Chains for Christ.org." [Accessed 18 Jan. 2017]

United Nations (UN). 8 June 2016. Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea. Detailed Findings of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea. (A/HRC/32/CRP.1) [Accessed 16 Jan. 2017]

United Nations (UN). 5 June 2015. Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea. Report of the Detailed Findings of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea. (A/HRC/29/CRP.1) [Accessed 16 Jan. 2017]

United Nations (UN). 11 November 2013. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). "Eritrea." Compilation Prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Accordance with Paragraph 15(b)and Paragraph 5 of the Annex to Human Rights Council Resolution 16/21. (A/HRC/WG.6/18/ERI/2) [Accessed 28 Dec. 2016]

United States (US). 10 January 2017. United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Telephone interview with a representative.

United States (US). 2 May 2016. US Commission on International Religious Freedom

(USCIRF). "Eritrea (Tier 1)." Annual Report 2016. [Accessed 21 Dec. 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Association of Evangelicals in Africa; Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Archdiocese of North America; Human Rights Concern Eritrea; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; Researcher at the African Studies Center, Boston University; United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea; World Council of Churches.

Internet sites, including: All Africa; Al Jazeera; Amnesty International; BBC; Coptic Centre; Ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; Institute for War and Peace Reporting; International Crisis Group; The Guardian; IRIN News; La Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme; Minority Rights Group International; The New York Times; Radio France internationale; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Tewahdo Church; UN – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Development Programme, ReliefWeb, UN Women; UPR Info; World Council of Churches.