CNA

Christians in Kabylia are relieved: the prefect of Bejaia reversed his decision to close seven churches. He also made a commitment to "ensure the protection and continuity of the cultural activities of the Protestant communities of the Wilaya of Bejaia." For Mustapha Krim, president of the Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA), himself a pastor in Bejaia, this change can only be an answer to prayer, even if the closure notice, served on the church at the end May, was flawed. Thus it had appeared that the decree was addressed to all the communities in the Algerian territory, however a wali can not make decisions at the national level ... Mustapha Krim had also heard a telephone conversation between the representative of the Minister of Religious Affairs and personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs who were not aware of what was happening.

Worship services in Bejaia had continued to be organized. They will continue to be, all the more, now that the administrative notification has been canceled.

In a statement released June 3, Amnesty International had expressed concern about the situation that the Algerian government was placing Christians in, contrary to the promises of change and reforms made by President Bouteflika. The organization highlighted the penalty of five years imprisonment imposed on a citizen of Oran - Siaghi Abdelkarim, 29 - for "insulting the Prophet Mohammed", after an unfair trial which leaves one to imagine that his conversion Christianity is the real cause of his prosecution and conviction.  Amnesty International also denounced the decision of the prefect of Bejaia ordering the closure of all churches of the wilaya.  The organization points out that the Algerian Constitution regards ''freedom of conscience and freedom of opinion'' as inviolable, in addition there are other Algerian laws that protect the right to freedom of religion.