In June 2014 the UN Human Rights Council set up a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate human rights in Eritrea. The CoI identified widespread gross attacks on human rights, including violations of religious freedom – some of which may be crimes against humanity.

The Commission is now investigating whether or not the Eritrean authorities have committed crimes against humanity. Despite the appalling violations catalogued by the CoI, some European countries seem to be more concerned with reducing the number of Eritreans fleeing to their borders than with tackling government repression – the root cause of the exodus. European Union officials recently outlined plans to deport Eritreans who flee to Europe, and to fund development projects in Eritrea. But Eritreans are not economic migrants. They’re fleeing a government that ruthlessly persecutes ordinary citizens, and a country where thousands of Christians are in prison.

We’re committed to seeking justice for the people of Eritrea. On 20 October, we held an event in the UK Parliament to raise awareness of the real reasons Eritreans flee their country – please pray that this would lead to better understanding of the situation.

• Thank God for the Commission of Inquiry and the UN’s perseverance in bringing to light the violations of human rights in Eritrea;
• Pray for the softening of hearts in the Eritrean government towards the report, and those attempting to disrupt the COI;
• Ask God for further action to be taken against the attacks on human rights, and specifically on religious freedom;
• Pray that the event on Eritrea we held in the UK parliament last week would bear strong and effective fruit;
• Give thanks for CSW’S Sub Saharan Africa team and pray for continual breakthrough in Eritrea;
• Lift up in prayer the people of Eritrea, and the Christians facing persecution;
• Pray for an end to the injustice, and for God’s peace throughout Eritrea.