Since Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1991, its government has grown increasingly ruthless. In May 2002 the government of Eritrea banned all Christian denominations except Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran, and ended all other religious practices apart from Sunni Islam. Approximately 3,000 Christians are imprisoned for their faith.

As well as ruling the nation with fear and intimidation, the government requires all citizens to serve a disproportionately long military service, akin to forced labour. The government also requires each citizen living outside the country to pay a 2% ‘diaspora tax’; not paying the tax results in pressure on family members within Eritrea.

This week, please:

• Thank God for milestones like the appointment of the UN Special Rapporteur, tasked with investigating human rights in Eritrea;
• Pray that the government of Eritrea would stop oppressing its own people and allow them to live in peace and freedom;
• Ask God to strengthen and comfort the families of those who are held incommunicado;
• Ask God to protect those held in Eritrea’s huge network of inhumane prisons;
• Pray that churches in Eritrea would be able to meet without fear or intimidation;
• Ask God to protect Eritrean refugees who flee the country,
• Pray for the international community to hold Eritrea to its international human rights obligations and end the suffering of millions.