This week marked 25 years in prison without charges or trial for three men in Eritrea. It's well past the time they were released. It hurt my heart to know that the best years of their lives were completely wasted in prison. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In addition, 39 men and 10 women who are . Furthermore, Jehovahs Witnesses decline to participate in political elections. I know he has not done anything wrong, and he has been suffering for so long, it really breaks my heart. The freed prisoners include six women who were arrested on a street after worshipping in public.. In a sudden turn of events, the man himself was put in prison. I also received first-hand accounts of allegations of grave human rights and humanitarian law violations, including extra judicial killings, targeted abductions and forced return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers to Eritrea, allegedly by Eritrean forces. However, the Ethiopian government has denied the involvement of Eritrean soldiers in the conflict. Numerous Jehovahs Witnesses took part in these alternative options under different government administrations. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that there have been a series of fatal assaults committed against citizens in Tigray, a predominantly-Christian northernmost region of Ethiopia. Powered by Invision Community. In the context of COVID-19, I call on Eritrean authorities to release those particularly vulnerable, including older detainees and those who are sick. While I welcome the release by the authorities of the Christians and Jehovahs Witnesses, I have to note that Eritrea continues to impose restrictions on religious freedoms. I recently spoke with an ex-prisoner that spent a couple of years in Sawa prison with Jehovah's Witnesses (including Isaac, Negede and Paulos). All Witnesses currently in prison have never been charged, appeared in court, or sentenced. Afewerkis policy of restrictions is more about his fear that religion will mobilize people as a political force than religion per se. On 4 December 2020, the government released 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea in her final statement to the UN Third Committee in New York in . If this is due to COVID-19 ( some news sources indicate others are being released for this reason). Eritrea's military abducted the victims with- out warrant or legitimate cause on September 17, 1994, ap- parently because they conscientiously objected to military service. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. (845) 744-6000, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, who have been in prison in Eritrea since September 17, 1994. a essas acusaes em julgamento. Some Jehovahs Witness prisoners have been detained in metal shipping containers, while others were held in stone or metal buildings half buried in the ground. On 6 July 2017, the European Parliaments resolution on Eritrea, notably the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak, condemned in the strongest terms Eritreas systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations, and called upon the Eritrean Government to put an end to detention of the opposition, journalists, religious leaders and innocent civilians. The Eritrean government's persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses goes back to the early 1990s, when the country became independent after a 1993 referendum. All have maintained uncompromising integrity to Jehovah God. Prior to independence, Eritrea allowed conscientious objectors to join an alternative civilian service group to fulfill their obligation.The Eritrean constitution, ratified in 1997, officially grants citizens the right to freedom of religion, but it has limitations. As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years.In addition, 39 men and 10 women who are Witnesses are also imprisoned. [4], The Special Rapporteur urged the Government of Eritrea to engage in dialogue with this congregation and release those in prison. both had been extensively and deliberately destroyed. Sixty-four of the Christians had no charges and some of them were jailed for worshipping in public. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in Eritrea. currently accessible; however, in January 2021 satellite imagery revealed that In 2017, they were transferred to Mai Serwa prison, where they were allowed visitors for the first time, according to Human Rights Watch. By a presidential decree dated 25 October1994, President Afewerki revoked citizenship for Jehovahs Witnesses because they did not participate in the 1993 independence referendum and they are conscientious objectors to military service. Was this article helpful? "The courage of these three men, along with the other 39 men and 10 women, imprisoned in Eritrea for refusing to compromise their faith have been an inspiration to Jehovah's Witnesses all around the world," Pichaud told Newsweek, adding that the church has requested a meeting with President Afwerki. However, this good news must Get the latest from our news, events and meetings. , Amazing how Jehovah moved those authorities to release them - the officials are probably scratching their heads, wondering why. that they mark the latest effort by the Eritrean regime to distract international I have received information from credible sources that, as of November 2020, the situation of these refugees and asylum seekers has become more precarious and worrisome. There are currently 52 Jehovah's Witnesses being held without trial in Eritrea, according to the Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Is something happening on a global scale that we donot yet know about? Neither camp is While the releases have been warmly welcomed, there is also speculation that they mark the latest effort by the Eritrean regime to distract international attention from the country's active role in the ongoing war in Ethiopia's Tigray region, where Eritrean troops have been accused of violence which may amount to crimes against humanity, war crimes and possibly genocide. Recommended for countries of particular concern: Eritrea, 2020, 2020. https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Egypt.pdfhttps://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Eritrea.pdf. 24 left!!!! After 19 years in detention, where is Dawit Isaak and when will he be released? This year has really had a lot of unexpected events. In this oral update, I request the Eritrean authorities to give me full access to refugees and asylum seekers allegedly held in various prisons inside Eritrea. They have spent between 5 and26 yearsin prison. Is it related to the Civil war in Ethiopia? Wouldn't it be thrilling if Jehovah was securing their release because the Great Tribulation was about to start? "Our families spent the whole evening together. In December, 24 Jehovah's Witnesses were freed, among them high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. Press briefing note on Myanmar/Bangladesh - Rohingya, UN expert implores Myanmars Suu Kyi: open your eyes, listen, feel with your heart, National institutions and regional mechanisms. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. It was very painful to lose such a friend. With no beauracracy or lengthy procedure - just released suddenly! The president also stripped them of basic civil rights. Information about Eritrea and the Horn of Africa, Source: UNhttps://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26795&LangID=E, Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights situation in Eritrea,Mr Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, 46rd Session of the Human Rights Council. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved. They were held at the Sawa military training camp until 2017, when they were transferred to Mai Serwa prison, where they were briefly granted access to visitors for the first time since their imprisonment. Thomas called on the international community to press Eritrea for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained arbitrarily on account of their religion or belief., We also call for urgent action to arrest the unfolding crisis in Tigray, including by imposing arms embargoes on the warring parties, and sanctions on the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea, who bear ultimate responsibility for human rights violations that are allegedly being committed with impunity by their respective forces.. The country lacks rule of law, a constitution and an independent judiciary to enforce the protection of and respect for human rights. It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved. On 4 December 2020, the government released 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea in her final statement to the UN Third Committee in New York in They are now in their late 30's-early 40's and still in prison. By signing up you will receive news about CSW's work and how you can support it. When Jehovahs Witnesses called on him, he told them that he had met Witnesses in his homeland. "They have never been charged nor given the opportunity to defend themselves in court. Made me think of Joseph in prison, and how we never know what can happen. Last night I spoke to my husband about my prayers and what more I could say, as I had already given Jehovah several valid reasons why this matter had to come to a close. We will continue to merge any new topics that are created about this Breaking News. In September 2018, he was baptized as one of Jehovahs Witnesses. committed with impunity by their respective forces.. genocide. In December, 24 Jehovah's Witnesses were freed, among them high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years., Although their release has been welcomed, CSW said it is possible that Eritrea is trying to deflect international attention away from its involvement in the ongoing war in Ethiopia's Tigray region, where Eritrean troops have been accused of acts of violence that may amount to war crimes or even genocide.. CSW's Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: "CSW welcomes the release of these Christians in Eritrea, who were detained without charge or trial, and should never have been incarcerated. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Eritrea has failed to implement the recommendations issued by these authorities. Seventy Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds, including women, have been released from three prisons in Eritrea, some after being held without charge for more than a decade, according to the U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide. This is fantastically great news when so little news is good. This experience made a deep impression on this sincere man, and after settling in Norway, he wanted to find out why Jehovahs Witnesses have such strong faith. CSW has offices in London, Brussels, Casper WY, Edinburgh, Washington DC and Kaduna. Brothers Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam were released after 26 years of imprisonment.They were put in Prison for refusing Military Service. On December 4, 2020, 26 brothers and 2 sisters in Eritrea were set free after being imprisoned for their faith. It is also alleged that military officials in Sawa subject students to ill-treatment and harsh punishments, including corporal punishment, and students undertake forced labour. We also call for urgent action to arrest the Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose On 27 January 2021, six female prisoners detained for worshipping in public in September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. A man came to Norway as a refugee from Eritrea in 2011. ", Pichaud added that while the trio have been pressured to deny their faith in return for freedom, "they are not bitter against the authorities.". According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, approximately 20,000 refugees from Hitsat and Shimelba camps are currently missing. This was the fir See more We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. The prisoners had been held between two and 12 years. On Jan. 27, six female prisoners, who had been in detention since last September, in Dekemhare, which is southeast of Asmara, were also released. Many of the brothers and sisters who are in the Tigrinja Congeration in Oslo have family who have been prisoned. galaxy s22 ultra s view flip cover support@missionbadlaav.com; withings account already exists Menu. The Eritrean authorities will demonstrate their genuine commitment to human rights when they release those individuals arbitrarily held in Eritrean prisons and provide information about those who have . We will need lots and lots of tissues for that broadcast. We call on the Ive prayed for these brothers and sisters ( often by name ) for many years. While I welcome the release by the authorities of the Christians and Jehovahs Witnesses, I have to note that Eritrea continues to impose restrictions on religious freedoms. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. A number of beliefs and practices of Jehovahs Witnesses have been perceived negatively by the current government. I have not yet received a response from the Eritrean authorities. Turning to the issue of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, there has been no progress. It is also alleged that military officials in Sawa subject students to ill-treatment and harsh punishments, including corporal punishment, and students undertake forced labour. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In addition, 39 men and 10 women who are Witnesses are also imprisoned. Since there are no effective domestic legal procedures or remedies available to them, their imprisonment amounts to a de facto life sentence. These are other examples of numerous cases of individuals who are currently languishing in Eritrean prisons, with no prospect of release. In Eritrea, the report mentioned that 52 Jehovah's Witnesses were in jail (as mentioned earlier, 28 were released on December 4). Acts 5:19 But at night Jehovah's angel opened the prison doors and led them out .Jehovah is in control, and at his appointed time . we are so happy on their behalf and yours. I also welcome the release, on 4 December 2020, of 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the three conscientious objectors, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been. If you want to discuss this subject, we prefer that you start a new topic. He noted their honesty and that they even shared their food with other prisoners. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in Eritrea. Dozens of Christians have been freed from prison in Eritrea after being held for years without charge.. Sixty-four of the Christians had no charges and some of them were jailed for worshipping in public. On 4 December 2020, the government released 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea in her final statement to the UN Third Committee in New York in . refugees from Hitsat and Shimelba camps are currently missing. The UN Human Rights Office and the mechanisms we support work on a wide range of human rights topics. What will happen to immigrants admitted through Bidens illegal parole program? Ive prayed for these brothers and sisters ( often by name ) for many years. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Like many others imprisoned in Eritrea, detained Jehovahs Witnesses have no legal recourse and so cannot challenge their indefinite detention. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? Reports indicate that, in recent weeks, Eritrea has released 70 jailed Christians of evangelical and orthodox who were held in three prisons. "However, this good news must not obscure the Eritrean regime's continued complicity in egregious violations of human rights, both within its own borders and now in Tigray. Apparently one of the brothers being released. A proper head is, as Webster's New Third International Dictionary describes, "one who stands in relation to others somewhat as the head does to other members of the body . It is also not acceptable for Eritrea to arbitrary detain political opponents in secret prisons without charge or trial in violation of human rights standards. ERITREA Our brothers Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam released after more than 26 years in prison. At the same time, we will continue to keep the 24 brothers and sisters who remain in prison in Eritrea in our thoughts and prayers.Acts 12:5. See brochure: SPECIAL REPORT: The Persecution of Jehovahs Witnesses in Eritrea.. re-designate Eritrea as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom; impose targeted sanctions on Eritrean government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals assets and/or barring their entry into the US under human rights related financial and visa authorities; use bilateral and multilateral diplomatic channels to urge the government of Eritrea to: release unconditionally detainees held on account of their religious activities; publish the registration law for religious groups along with clear guidelines for applying for or appealing decisions; end religious persecution of unregistered religious communities and grant full citizenship rights to Jehovahs Witnesses. Esteemed Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. At Sawa, Mai Serwa, and other prisons and camps, detainees are often held in shipping containers. Update: This article has been updated to reflect a clarification from Jehovah's Witnesses spokesperson Gilles Pichaud in his statement. On 1 February, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released 70 Christen mit orthodoxem und evangelischem Hintergrund sind in Eritrea aus dem Gefngnis entlassen worden. I have tears in my eyes while at work. See our advertising page if you would like more information. I wonder why they dont wear masks? . As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years. Statements I also welcome the release, on 4 December 2020, of 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the three conscientious objectors, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea in her statement during the On 4 December 2020, the government released 24 Jehovahs PaulosEyassu, Isaac Mogos, Negede Teklamarium most of all. On 28 January 2021, in my letter to the Government of Ethiopia, I called on the Ethiopian authorities to protect the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the Tigray region, and to ensure respect for their rights under human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law. In recent years, prominent human rights bodies have expressed increasing concern over Eritreas blatant disregard for international human rights standards, including cases involving Jehovahs Witnesses.
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