This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
On September 3, 2019, Eritrea's government intensified its crackdown on religious institutions by seizing control of seven secondary schools run by various Christian and Muslim groups.
The move, which was reportedly implemented on Tuesday morning, has left many students from economically disadvantaged families without access to education.
According to sources, security agents have already taken control of the school compounds, demanding that the religious organizations hand over the schools.
The government claims that the closures are in line with regulations introduced in 1995, which limit the activities of religious institutions.
This is not the first time the Eritrean government has targeted religious organizations. In June 2019, the government seized all health centers run by the Catholic Church, leaving thousands of patients without care.
The move was seen as a response to the church's criticism of President Isaias Afwerki's rule. Eritrean Catholic bishops had called for political reforms in the country, which has a constitution but has never held a national election.
Many of the schools targeted are respected institutions that have been in operation for over 70 years, dating back to the time of Italian colonization.
