Photo: Wikipedia / John Beso
Eritrean authorities continued their ongoing crackdown on unregistered religious groups when 30 guests were arrested at a wedding ceremony in late June. These Christians were arrested in the capital city of Asmara, joining 15 others who had been previously arrested in April and sent to a prison camp.
The government of Eritrea is known as one of the most oppressive in the world, notorious for its arbitrary arrests and detention of people -- without any trial. Last year alone, between May and August, more than 330 Christians were arrested.
Since religious restrictions were instituted in 2002, only four religious groups are legally allowed by the government: Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Sunni Islam. Membership in any other group is strictly prohibited, and even members of these legally recognized groups are not necessarily immune from harassment.
View an informative video report, including interviews with persecuted Eritrean believers. Additional reports on incidents of persecution in this country are available at our online country report.
Remember the hundreds of believers presently being imprisoned in Eritrea, some of them already having endured many years of inhumane treatment under terrible conditions. Pray that these prisoners and their families be endowed with inner strength through the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit. May those responsible for the country's oppressive laws realize the error of their ways and come to respect the rights of all citizens by treating others as they themselves would like to be treated.
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