 Photo: CSW |
An Eritrean Christian woman has become the latest known prisoner of conscience to have died in Eritrea. Wehazit Berhane Debesai, who was in her thirties, died of pneumonia during the week of October 14th, following a year of imprisonment in harsh conditions. Despite the seriousness of her failing health, she was denied access to medical treatment for refusing to denounce her Christian beliefs.
Wehazit had been taking part in Eritrea's national service when she was arrested last year for her involvement in Christian activities outside of the government-sanctioned Orthodox, Catholic and evangelical Lutheran church groups.
The young woman, who was engaged to be married, was then kept incommunicado in the town of Adi Quala, which is located near the Ethiopian border. Her death coincided with the arrest of about 70 Christians at a prayer gathering in Asmara, the country's capital. To view a 10-minute video clip documenting the dire situation facing thousands of Christians in Eritrea, click here.
While we can praise God that Wehazit has indeed gone on to receive her eternal reward for remaining faithful to the very end, her loved ones are now greatly in need of His comforting presence, including her fiancé who was also arrested and imprisoned. Please lift up this broken young man and the numerous other Eritrean believers who are struggling to survive the torturous treatment of the prison guards and the inhumane conditions of the country's deplorable prisons/metal shipping containers. Ask the Lord to strengthen and minister in a special way to their distraught family members. In addition, may He somehow capture the attention of Eritrea's president and other governing officials so they will realize the seriousness of their crimes against His beloved children.
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