United Nations: ECLJ Denounces Anti-Christian Persecution in Algeria
The ECLJ, represented by Gregor Puppinck, denounced the "intolerable pressure under the Christian communities" created by a 2006 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.
