Promote Religious Liberty to Reduce Forced Exile of Minorities
Religious persecution of unrecognized groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses and
evangelical Christians drives many Eritreans into exile, often through dangerous
routes. A policy solution is to promote religious liberty by legally recognizing all
practices and ending discriminatory policies. Eritrea should repeal laws banning
unregistered religious groups and release those detained for beliefs, replacing
punitive measures with a framework respecting freedom of worship per
international standards like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A Religious
Affairs Commission with diverse representation could mediate disputes and ensure
equal treatment. Public education campaigns, led by community leaders, should
foster tolerance and counter stigmatization. Internationally, Eritrea could seek
assistance from the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion to draft inclusive
policies. This reform addresses a key migration push factor, reducing the need to
flee via smugglers.
Citation on Eritrea’s Problem: Amnesty International reports that Eritrea’s
government imprisons hundreds for their religious beliefs, particularly Jehovah’s
Witnesses and evangelicals, pushing many to flee via dangerous routes (Amnesty
International, “Eritrea: Religious Persecution Continues,” 2022,
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr64/4947/2022/en/).
Example: Morocco’s 2016 reforms granted greater freedoms to religious minorities
through royal decrees promoting tolerance and interfaith dialogue, stabilizing
communities and reducing emigration (Source: U.S. Department of State, “2016
International Religious Freedom Report: Morocco,” 2017,
https://www.state.gov/reports/2016-report-on-international-religious-freedom/
morocco/). Eritrea could adopt similar reforms to protect religious minorities,
decreasing forced exile
Religious persecution of unrecognized groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses and
evangelical Christians drives many Eritreans into exile, often through dangerous
routes. A policy solution is to promote religious liberty by legally recognizing all
practices and ending discriminatory policies. Eritrea should repeal laws banning
unregistered religious groups and release those detained for beliefs, replacing
punitive measures with a framework respecting freedom of worship per
international standards like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A Religious
Affairs Commission with diverse representation could mediate disputes and ensure
equal treatment. Public education campaigns, led by community leaders, should
foster tolerance and counter stigmatization. Internationally, Eritrea could seek
assistance from the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion to draft inclusive
policies. This reform addresses a key migration push factor, reducing the need to
flee via smugglers.
Citation on Eritrea’s Problem: Amnesty International reports that Eritrea’s
government imprisons hundreds for their religious beliefs, particularly Jehovah’s
Witnesses and evangelicals, pushing many to flee via dangerous routes (Amnesty
International, “Eritrea: Religious Persecution Continues,” 2022,
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr64/4947/2022/en/).
Example: Morocco’s 2016 reforms granted greater freedoms to religious minorities
through royal decrees promoting tolerance and interfaith dialogue, stabilizing
communities and reducing emigration (Source: U.S. Department of State, “2016
International Religious Freedom Report: Morocco,” 2017,
https://www.state.gov/reports/2016-report-on-international-religious-freedom/
morocco/). Eritrea could adopt similar reforms to protect religious minorities,
decreasing forced exile
