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Eritrea's population is composed mainly of [[Muslims]] and [[Orthodox Christians]] and in comparison a small amount are [[Roman Catholic]]. Most Muslims follow [[Sunni Islam]]. The Christians consist primarily of the [[Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church]], which is the local [[Oriental Orthodox]] church, and considerable groups of [[Roman Catholic]]s (including Italian Eritreans), [[Protestant]]s, and other denominations also exist.

Eritrea's population is composed mainly of [[Muslims]] and [[Orthodox Christians]] and in comparison a small amount are [[Roman Catholic]]. Most Muslims follow [[Sunni Islam]]. The Christians consist primarily of the [[Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church]], which is the local [[Oriental Orthodox]] church, and considerable groups of [[Roman Catholic]]s (including Italian Eritreans), [[Protestant]]s, and other denominations also exist.

Since May 2002, the Government of Eritrea has officially recognized the [[Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church]], [[Sunni Islam]], [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]], and the Evangelical [[Lutheran]] church. All other faiths and denominations are required to undergo a registration process. {{Fact|date=January 2009}} Among other things, the Government's registration system requires religious groups to submit personal information on their membership to be allowed to [[worship]]. {{Fact|date=January 2009}} The few organizations that have met all of the registration requirements have still not received official recognition. {{Fact|date=January 2009}}

Since May 2002, the Government of Eritrea has officially recognized the [[Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church]], [[Sunni Islam]], [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]], and the Evangelical [[Lutheran]] church. All other faiths and denominations are required to undergo a registration process. Among other things, the Government's registration system requires religious groups to submit personal information on their membership to be allowed to [[worship]]. The few organizations that have met all of the registration requirements have still not received official recognition.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3663654.stm</ref>

[[Jehovah's Witnesses]], [[Bahá'í Faith]], the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], and numerous Protestant denominations are not registered and cannot worship freely. They have effectively been banned, and measures have been taken against their adherents. Many have been incarcerated for months or even years. None have been charged officially or given access to the judicial process. In its 2006 religious freedom report, the U.S. State Department for the third year in a row named Eritrea a "Country of Particular Concern", designating it one of the worst violators of religious freedom in the world.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108367.htm | title=Eritrea. International Religious Freedom Report 2008|publisher= U.S. Department of State. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor| accessdate=2008-11-08}}</ref><ref>http://www.cswusa.com/Reports%20Pages/Reports-Eritrea.htm</ref>

[[Jehovah's Witnesses]], [[Bahá'í Faith]], the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], and numerous Protestant denominations are not registered and cannot worship freely. They have effectively been banned, and measures have been taken against their adherents. Many have been incarcerated for months or even years. None have been charged officially or given access to the judicial process. In its 2006 religious freedom report, the U.S. State Department for the third year in a row named Eritrea a "Country of Particular Concern", designating it one of the worst violators of religious freedom in the world.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108367.htm | title=Eritrea. International Religious Freedom Report 2008|publisher= U.S. Department of State. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor| accessdate=2008-11-08}}</ref><ref>http://www.cswusa.com/Reports%20Pages/Reports-Eritrea.htm</ref>