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Religious Freedom Summary* (1997) Although the Constitution provides for freedom of religion, the Government has banned religious organizations from involvement in politics. The Government has discouraged foreign religious groups and NGO's from proselytizing, as it believes this could create unnecessary friction in the delicate balance between the Muslim and Christian populations. In a 1995 proclamation, it described specific guidelines on the role of religion and religion-affiliated NGO's in development and government, stating that development, politics, and public administration are the sole responsibility of the Government and people. As a result, religious organizations may fund, but not initiate or implement, development projects. The proclamation also sets out rules governing relations between religious organizations and foreign sponsors. The Constitution provides for the "freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice." However, government persecution of the small community of Jehovah's Witnesses continued. In 1994 the Government revoked the trading licenses of Jehovah's Witnesses and dismissed those who worked in the civil service. This governmental action resulted in economic, employment, and travel difficulties for Jehovah's Witnesses, especially former civil servants and businessmen. In addition, in April, the government labor office issued a form to all employers in Asmara and the surrounding area requesting information on any personnel who were Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses have refused universally on religious grounds to participate in national service or vote in a referendum. This spurred widespread criticism that the members were collectively shirking their civic duty. The harsh measures for refusal to participate in national service were applied only to Jehovah's Witnesses. In addition to the Government's continued denial of passports, Jehovah's Witnesses are also denied identification cards, trading licenses, and government housing. However, they are not barred from meeting in private homes. Authorities closed a foreign-based NGO associated with an evangelical church because, according to the Government, its proselytizing activities in a Muslim district could have caused religious friction. The Government restricts the rights of the religious media to comment on politics or government policies (see Section 2.a.). *Source: County Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997, U.S. Department of State |