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Evangelical church shut down by authorities in Algeria

by Marcus Jones

Concern is growing for Christians in Algeria where yet another church has been closed down.

House of Hope Evangelical Church in Ayoun Turk, Oran City, received a closure order from the Administrative Court in Oran last week.

The ruling is linked to a 2006 law which states that all non-Muslim places of worship must be authorised.

Religious freedom groups claim it's really hard to get buildings authorised as the Commission set up to do that doesn't actually meet.

In total, 13 churches have been closed since 2018.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide chief executive Mervyn Thomas said: "The closure of House of Hope church and the increased government pressure on Christians and other religious minorities in Algeria is a cause for concern. 

"The 2006 law is being used as a pretext to clamp down on churches in Algeria despite the fact that the Commission it created is yet to meet to consider the requests it has already received. 

"This is manifestly unjust. If the Commission is unable or unwilling to fulfil this essential part of its mandate, then the government should either reconstitute it entirely, or the law itself should be repealed in order to ensure the right to freedom of religion or belief for religious minorities in the country."

The church has one month to appeal the court verdict.
 

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