September 12 2002

Persecution of evangelical and charismatic Christians has broken out in Eritrea following several years of harassment.

In 2001, young people were beaten, their property vandalised, and Bibles and other religious materials burned in an officially sanctioned attack within an Orthodox church in the capital Asmara.

Church leaders initiated the attack on the pretext of dealing with so-called 'heretics' in their midst.

In 2002, government spokespersons began comparing Pentecostal/charismatic and evangelical churches with Islamists and branded them a danger to national security.

As a consequence of this, all churches not belonging to the Orthodox, Catholic or Lutheran denominations in Eritrea were ordered to close in May 2002.

More than 36 churches have been closed so far and some Christians even find it difficult to meet in their homes.

For some years now, followers of newer denominations deemed 'heretical' by the authorities, have experienced harassment. Non-Orthodox church buildings have been confiscated and some church leaders have been detained in rural areas. Officials now seem to be increasing their clampdown on believers throughout the country.

Persecution is reported to be particularly bad in the armed forces after large numbers of Eritrean soldiers were strengthened in their faith by tuning in to FEBA radio, which broadcasts Christian programmes from the Seychelles.

Prayer meetings in the army are now forbidden and attendance is punishable by imprisonment. Anyone found in possession of a Bible faces severe punishment and there are unconfirmed reports of several young Christian soldiers having been shot after being discovered reading the Bible.

CSW is calling on the Government of Eritrea to honour its commitments under both national and international law to respect religious freedom.

CSW is encouraging supporters to write to the Eritrean ambassador in London asking him to urge his government to reconsider its enmity towards Christians who belong to the newer denominations.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: "Religious freedom has been gradually eroded in Eritrea until today when there seems to be a renewed clampdown on believers.

"We call on the international community to speak up for those who are being persecuted for their faith before the situation becomes even more serious and we call on church leaders of all denominations to work for reconciliation and unity."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Eritrea became independent of Italy in 1941 after over 50 years of colonial rule, but a 30-year war of independence from Ethiopia began in 1962. In 1993 Eritrea became Africa's 52nd state, but war broke out again between Eritrea and Ethiopia in 1998.

In 2000 an international peacekeeping force created a buffer zone between the two countries.

In the last two years, the ruling Popular Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) has become increasingly intolerant of dissent.

Under the pretext of maintaining national unity, the government has banned religious organisations from involvement in politics. The PFDJ has also placed such severe restrictions on international NGOs that they have all but wound up their activities.

The population of Eritrea is divided almost equally between Muslims and Christians and interfaith relations are generally good. The PFDJ, which is close to the Orthodox Church, is concerned to crack down on any perceived extremism, be it from Muslims or Christians.

Civil servants, students and politicians are fleeing the repression and during the first two weeks of August this year, 26 Eritreans fled to Ethiopia and on September 6 Eritrea's ambassador to Sudan abandoned his post and fled to Europe.