Fighting Anti-Christian Persecution in Algeria

As our international work continues in protecting religious and human rights on a global scale, I want to report to you a very important development at the United Nations as the world begins to look closer at the anti-Christian persecution underway in the country of Algeria.

An important meeting occurred yesterday as The Human Rights Council of the United Nations began its examination of the questions surrounding the protection of human and religious rights in the country of Algeria.  The European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) - one of the few non-governmental organizations permitted to speak out on this issue - provided important information in addressing specific concerns about Algeria's treatment of Christians to the world community.

ECLJ's representative Gregor Puppinck denounced the "intolerable pressure under the Christian communities" created by a 2006 Algerian governmental resolution.  This resolution puts specific limits on the "conditions and rules concerning the exercise of religious rites for non-Muslims" as well as increases punishment for anyone who proselytizes Muslims.  Further, the resolution made the importation of non-Islamic religious materials illegal.

The ECLJ called on the Algerian government to suspend the application of the resolution and urged the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Religious Freedom to conduct a fact-finding mission regarding these human and religious rights violations.  The ECLJ said the 2006 Algerian resolution clearly was the origin of a new wave of "anti-Christian persecution" that is putting the future of the Christian church at risk of elimination in Algeria.

Within the past six months, Algerian authorities have shut down more than two-thirds of the Protestant churches in Algeria - closing 19 of the 32 churches.  If the trend continues, the Algerian Protestant church will be eliminated by the end of this year, forcing many Christians to conduct and practice their faith in a clandestine manner.  The ECLJ also pointed out that many Algerian Christians, from all denominations, are being convicted and in some cases sent to jail because of their religious beliefs.

Further, the member nation of Belgium announced its support for the suffering Christian minority in Algeria and denounced Algeria's anti-Christian resolution.

It's an important development and as this continues to unfold, we'll keep you posted as we continue to work to protect religious freedom here in this country and in nations around the world.