Algeria Shuts Down Protestant Churches, Pushing Christians Underground
Algeria has continued closing Protestant churches in 2026, forcing Christian communities to worship in private homes. Rights groups say dozens of churches have been sealed since 2017, with no signs of the campaign slowing.
Algeria's government has shut down more Protestant churches this year, continuing a campaign that began in 2017 and has left thousands of Christians without legal places to worship.
Rights organizations tracking religious freedom say the closures affect congregations across northern Algeria, where most of the country's estimated 50,000 to 100,000 Protestant Christians live. Church buildings are sealed by local authorities, often without formal legal proceedings or advance notice.
The Algerian government has not publicly explained the closures. Officials have previously cited building code violations and unauthorized religious activity as justifications. Christian leaders say those reasons are pretexts.
"The churches are being closed one by one," said a pastor who asked not to be named for safety reasons. "We meet in homes now. It is not ideal, but we have no choice."
The Algerian government requires religious groups to register with the state. Protestant churches say the registration process is effectively blocked for non-Muslim groups, making legal operation impossible.
International Christian advocacy groups have called on Western governments to raise the issue in diplomatic talks with Algiers. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has listed Algeria as a country of concern in recent years.
Algeria's constitution guarantees freedom of conscience, but a 2006 law restricts non-Muslim religious practice and criminalizes proselytizing. Violations can result in fines and prison sentences.
The closures have not stopped church growth. Pastors say congregations continue to meet in apartments and private homes, though the risk of arrest remains real. Several Christians have faced prosecution in recent years for sharing their faith.
Human rights observers say the situation reflects broader restrictions on civil society in Algeria, where the government has tightened controls on independent organizations since mass protests in 2019.
