More Christians Arrested While Persecution Denied

Continuing their assault on evangelical Christians, Eritrean authorities arrested the vice manager of the Housing and Commerce Bank of Eritrea, Demoze Afwerki, on March 18.  According to an April 1 report from Compass Direct, Afwerki is an active member of the Full Gospel Church and serves on the executive committee of Gideons International in Eritrea.  He is believed to be incarcerated at Wongel Mermera, a government investigation center in Asmara. 

Compass also confirms a police raid at a home in Assab on March 9 in which ten members of the Kale Hiwot (Word of Life) Church were arrested.  The ten remain jailed at the Assab police station without charges against them.  Eritrean authorities often accuse evangelicals of being a threat to national security.

On March 22, officials from the Eritrea's National Security Office raided a private printing company in Asmara.  The owner, Mr. Tekete, was accused of printing Christian publications for various churches.  After posting bail, Tekete was allowed to resume work on the condition that he obtain permission before publishing any Christian materials. 

Yemane Gebremeskel Image from hornofafrica.de

Responding to reports such as these, the Eritrean government denied this week that there is any religious persecution in Eritrea.  Yemane Gebremeskel, director of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki's office, told the AFP news agency, "These accusations are groundless."  Gebremeskel claims that these allegations are either "due to a lack of knowledge or done in the interest of smearing this country…. One cannot question the credentials of this country on religious rights and religious tolerance," he said.

Gebremeskel admitted that members of unregistered religious groups may be detained for a few hours and then let off with a warning, but denies any incarceration for religious reasons.  Those who are detained are held, he said, because they are found to be guilty of other crimes, such as evading compulsory military service.  

The Eritrean government continues to face pressure from various sectors for their violation of basic religious rights; including from the U.S. State Department and various human rights agencies.  Amnesty International issued a report on March 24, condemning the arrest of Pastor Kidane Weldu, who they say was "detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of religion." At least 241 Christians have been arrested since the beginning of 2005.

Continue to pray for the many Christians detained for their faith in Eritrea, who often suffer in intolerable conditions.  Pray that international pressure will continue to encourage the Eritrean government to respect the religious freedom of its citizens.

For more information on persecution in Eritrea, click here.  More information is also available through two video reports on Eritrea that can be viewed in the Video section of our multimedia website https://www.vomcanada.com/.