A/HRC/23/53 63. There is currently no single international non-governmental organization operating in Eritrea. Over time, the working environment for such organizations became increasingly restrictive, with no travel permits delivered allow them to leave the capital city to visit projects. While some non-governmental organizations were explicitly asked to leave, others faced severe restrictions on their operations, which eventually forced them to leave the country. G. Freedom of religious belief 64. The right to profess one’s religion freely, to change it or to practice either alone or in community with others in public or in private is enshrined in international law. 6 Eritrea officially recognizes only four religions: the Evangelical Church of Eritrea, the Orthodox Church of Eritrea, the Roman Catholic Church, and Sunni Islam. Those interviewed reported that the Government interferes in the internal matters of recognized religions through controls and invasive policies, including the lack of provisions for exemption from military service for conscientious objection. 65. The followers of unrecognized religious denominations, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches, among others, face draconian restrictions and are persecuted, and may be denied administrative services, such as the issuance of national identity cards, as this would require denouncing their religion on the application form. It was reported that followers of these religions are regularly arrested, detained and tortured, and submitted to sever pressure to renounce their faith. Worshipping in someone’s home or possession of religious material, including Bibles, can be a reason for arrest. As at August 2012, there were 56 Jehovah’s Witnesses in prison, including 21 who were older than 60 years of age. 66. Followers of unrecognized religions are often accused of being foreign agents who obtain money from external sources to spy on the regime. Reportedly, there are some 2,000 people currently in jail because of their religious belief, without any charge or trial. A woman from a minority religious group indicated that she had been released from jail only after having signed a document to the effect that she would no longer worship as part of a congregation. An elderly lady was released after four years in detention because of her faith; her health had deteriorated visibly. Eritrea does not provide for exemption from military service for conscientious objection, which leads to a large number of Jehovah’s Witnesses being placed in detention, given that their religion does not permit them to carry a gun. Furthermore, Jehovah’s Witnesses are unable to continue education beyond the eighth grade, as students who wish to register for ninth grade are required to register for national service at the same time, which is incompatible with their belief. H. Freedom of movement 67. Travel within the country is extremely restricted and requires a travel permit, which is difficult to obtain. Controls are frequent at checkpoints between cities. The freedom to leave the country is even more tightly controlled. Exit visas are required to travel abroad, and they are not granted to men between 18 to 54 years of age and women between 18 and 47. Reports have been received about children as young as 5 years of age being denied applications for exit visas. The payment of the “diaspora tax”, a 2 per cent tax often levied 6 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 18; International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, art. 18. See also CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.4. 13