Churches in Algeria are facing intimidation and harassment, despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of worship in the country, it was reported in April.
On 24 April, a church in Mâatkas, in the north-eastern province of Kabylie, was ordered to cease all religious activities on the grounds that it was in breach of a 2006 law which regulates non-Muslim worship.
Freedom of worship?
The authorities have threatened to commence legal proceedings against the church if Christian worship continues in the building currently being used by the church. The notice provides no further detail about the alleged infringement, nor any timeframe within which steps should be taken to ensure compliance with the law.
