Letter to Eritrean Head of Mission Salih Abdalla

Mr Salih Abdalla

Head of Mission

Embassy of the State of Eritrea

96 White Lion Street

London N1 9PF

United Kingdom

Your Excellency,

We extend our warmest regards to the people of Eritrea as your nation prepares to mark its 33^rd year of independence.

We also write to acknowledge and welcome the recent series of prisoner releases that have taken place in the past year in which over 400 detained Christians were freed. We are concerned, however, by reports that several were obliged to sign documents prior to their release renouncing their denominational affiliations, and agreeing to any punishment that may ensue in the event they renege on this undertaking.

Regrettably, these releases represent a fraction of the number of Eritreans in indefinite detention. Credible reports continue to indicate that more than 10,000 people are held arbitrarily in over 300 sites nationwide, enduring unacceptable conditions, including shortages of food, potable water and medical care, while torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment occur routinely.

This month also marks the 24^th anniversary of the decision to proscribe all but three of Eritrea’s Christian denominations, and a continuing campaign of arbitrary arrest and indefinite detention. Among those still imprisoned are three clergy from the Eritrean Orthodox Church, ostensibly a permitted denomination, and four leaders from sanctioned evangelical churches. All of them have been imprisoned without charge, trial, legal representation or family access for over two decades. Their prolonged incarceration is emblematic of the plight of all prisoners of conscience in Eritrea.

We continue to appeal to your government to reverse the prohibition of targeted religious denominations, and to fulfil the right to freedom of religion or belief for all faith communities, in accordance with Eritrea’s obligations under Article 8 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

In conclusion, we respectfully urge you to use your good offices to encourage the Government of Eritrea to release all prisoners of conscience unconditionally, to uphold the rights and fundamental freedoms articulated in the country’s commendable but unimplemented Constitution, and to ensure that Eritrea’s citizens are finally able to enjoy the full dividends of independence, for which so much was sacrificed by so many.

Yours sincerely,

• Church in Chains (Ireland)
• CSW
• Human Rights Concern-Eritrea
• Release Eritrea