CSW, Church in Chains (Ireland), Human Rights Concern-Eritrea and Release Eritrea held a peaceful protest vigil outside the Eritrean Embassy in London on 21 May to commemorate the closure of churches in Eritrea and the indefinite detention of religious adherents, including several senior Christian leaders.
The protest vigil has taken place every year since 2003 to mark the anniversary of the Eritrean government’s effective outlawing of religious practices not affiliated with the Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Orthodox Christian denominations or Sunni Islam in May 2002, the ensuing and ongoing crackdown on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), and the widespread arbitrary detention of members of both proscribed and permitted faith traditions.
Speaking at the protest, Dr Berhane Asmelash, Director of Release Eritrea, said: ‘In Eritrea the persecution is continuing, although in recent years we have heard of some prisoners being released. In the past six months 300 prisoners have been released - most were short-term prisoners, only one was released after 18 years. Sometimes we think these are the only ones, but there are many, who sometimes we don’t know, who are still suffering in many Eritrean prisons. There is one Christian who has been imprisoned for eight years in an isolated container and his family has had no chance to see him. But there is also good news. The good news is people are still worshipping wherever they are – in prison or outside prison, in houses everywhere... We are proud of all of these people... Sometimes we forget to name their names, but they will never be forgotten by the Lord.’
Elsa Chyrum, Director of Human Rights Concern-Eritrea, highlighted the plight of Eritrean refugees and victims of trafficking, saying: ‘Many Eritreans first flee to Sudan, only to become trapped in war, hunger, displacement, and violence. Others flee to Ethiopia through Tigray, where human trafficking has become rampant. Eritrean asylum seekers are kidnapped, tortured and held for ransom. Families sell everything they have to save their loved ones, yet many are sold again and again by traffickers… In Libya, Eritrean refugees face torture, detention and abuse. In Egypt, thousands of Eritrean refugees have reportedly been arrested, with reports of torture and deportation. And many Eritrean asylum seekers in Europe, the United States and elsewhere continue to live with fear, uncertainty and the risk of deportation.’
CSW’s Director of Advocacy and Team Leader for Africa and the Middle East Dr Khataza Gondwe detailed the injustices perpetrated by the Eritrean government, including its use of indefinite military service, and the destabilising role the country has played in the wider region. ‘Under President Isaias Afwerki, Eritrea has endured more than three decades without national elections, without an implemented constitution, and without fundamental rights and freedoms.’
Dr Gondwe also highlighted the particular importance of the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council, ‘as it is the only independent international mechanism for monitoring this human rights crisis.’
During the protest, representatives from CSW, Church In Chains (Ireland), Human Rights Concern-Eritrea and Release Eritrea attempted to deliver a letter to the Eritrean Head of Mission in the UK and Ireland, Mr Salih Abdalla, calling on the government of Eritrea to reverse the prohibition of targeted religious denominations, to fulfil the right to freedom of religion or belief for all faith communities, and to release all prisoners of conscience unconditionally. As in previous years, the embassy refused to open the door to receive the letter directly, so it was posted through its letter box.
Notes to Editors:
- Additional photos are available on request.
- Protests were held online from 2020-2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.