CSW calls for end to human rights abuse in Eritrea

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) renews its call for an end to human rights violations in Eritrea, including the abuse of freedom of religion or belief, ahead of the eleventh anniversary of a government crackdown on all but three Christian denominations and the start of mass detentions of Eritrean Christians.

On 15 May 2002, all churches except those belonging to the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations were effectively banned and the era of mass arrests of Christians began. Over 2,000 Christians are currently detained in Eritrea without charge or trial, often in life threatening conditions pending denial of their faith.

Initially members of independent evangelical and charismatic churches were singled out;however, even permitted churches eventually began to experience persecution. Orthodox patriarch Abune Antonios has been under house arrest since 2006 for resisting government interference in church affairs, and priests seen as sympathizing with him are detained, harassed forced out of the church or conscripted following the 2005 revocation of clerical exemption by the government. The government has also attempted to seize Catholic schools and projects, and the conscription of seminarians and other church workers is reportedly occasioning a shortage of personnel.

CSW will join six organisations from the UK and Ireland in a protest vigil against human rights abuses in Eritrea outside the Eritrean embassy in London on Thursday 30 May, which will be followed by an evening of prayer for the nation.

Eritrea is one of the world’s most repressive regimes, often likened to North Korea. It is a single party state dominated by a dictatorial president, and the military pervades every aspect of society, including the economy. The regime demands total allegiance, thus Christians are perceived as a threat to national unity due to their ultimate allegiance to a higher being.

Thousands of Eritreans flee their country every year, risking a government shoot-to-kill border policy and at risk of being held hostage in torture camps in the Sinai Desert by abusive people traffickers, pending payment of exorbitant ransoms, or the forcible removal of organs. Many are fleeing military conscription, which can last indefinitely and is mandatory for all citizens aged between 18 and 48 years. The Eritrean security services have been known to pursue or harass refugees in foreign countries through their agents abroad, while countries such as Sudan and Egypt have in the past forcibly returned Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers despite evidence of the severe mistreatment of returnees.

On 6 July 2012 The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted its first resolution on Eritrea, approving the mandate for a Special Rapporteur who will report to the HRC and the UN General Assembly on the human rights situation in Eritrea.

CSW’s Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said, “CSW is pleased to join with the British Orthodox Church, Church in Chains-Ireland, the Evangelical Alliance-Wales, Human Rights Concern-Eritrea, Release Eritrea and Release International to protest the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Eritrean government on its people. We will continue to stand in solidarity and work alongside Eritreans who long for justice until they and their fellow citizens are able to enjoy all of the rights and freedoms enshrined in the nation’s constitution.”

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Eritrea protest and vigil will take place on Thursday 30 May 2013 between 3 and 4pm opposite the Eritrean Embassy in London.

Address: 96 White Lion Street London N1 9PF

2. The Evening of Prayer for Eritrea will take place on Thursday 30 May 2013 between 6:30pm and 9:30pm at ECFC UK Tabernacle (a short walking distance from the embassy)

Address: Pentonville Road, London N1 9NG.

3. For more information, visit www.csw.org.uk/prayforeritrea