women were arrested after worshipping in public as they were walking down a Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. In Eritrea, Jehovahs Witnesses are in prison as conscientious objectors to military service, for holding underground religious meetings or for attempts to share their beliefs with others. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. For example, since the last report of my predecessor, some prisoners such as Dawit Isaak, a Swedish-Eritrean journalist, and of ten of his colleagues remain for two decades in incommunicado detention. 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. 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 The women were arrested for worshiping in public, a video of which was shared by some on social media, CSW said. 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. And when will the authorities release Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, three conscientious objectors held for 26 years? On 1 February, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released Eritrea is the center point of some of the most intense persecution of Jehovahs Witnesses in modern times. Three young men; Isaac, Negede and Paulos; were 18 and 21 year old when they were arrested in September 24, 1994. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. JWTalk - Jehovah's Witnesses Online Community One man who tried to escape from a military camp was kept in this position for two weeks, while a soldier who refused an order was tied for four hours. In total, over 50 Jehovah's Witnesses are currently imprisoned in Eritrea, and all are kept at Mai Serwa prison. Numerous Jehovahs Witnesses took part in these alternative options under different government administrations. 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. 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. However, the Ethiopian government has denied the involvement of Eritrean soldiers in the conflict. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. And the e re at from a list. They are now aged 41, 40, and 38 respectively, having spent their youth in confinement. However, this good news must However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. [4], The Special Rapporteur urged the Government of Eritrea to engage in dialogue with this congregation and release those in prison. abducted and forced to return to Eritrea under duress by Eritrean forces., CSWs Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: CSW welcomes On 27 January, six female prisoners who were detained in The Eritrean government's persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses goes back to the early 1990s, when the country became independent after a 1993 referendum. Last month, witnesses spoke with TheAssociated Press, detailing killings, looting and other abuses committed by Eritrean soldiers in Tigray. This is awesome news. Male Jehovah's Witnesses between 18 and 40 often live in hiding, and if found by police, they face torture for objecting to military service. Three men, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been in prison for conscientious objection to compulsory military service since 17 September 1994. Since there are no effective domestic legal procedures or remedies available to them, their imprisonment amounts to a de facto life sentence. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Turning to the issue of the human rights situation in Eritrea, since October 2020, I have seen no concrete evidence of progress or actual improvement in the human rights situation in the country. Three Jehovah's Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been incarcerated for 25 years. The releases also coincide with reports The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended that the US government: [1] For more religious statistics, see U.S. Department of State, Office of International Religious Freedom, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Report on international Religious Freedom: Eritrea 2018, 2018. https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/eritrea/. "They have never been charged nor given the opportunity to defend themselves in court. All rights reserved. I can only imagine how this brother now feels. ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. 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 . Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in Eritrea. His heartmust be overflowing with praise and thanks to Jehovah. September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. Sie wurden ohne Anklage oder Urteil festgehalten. In Eritrea, the report mentioned that 52 Jehovah's Witnesses were in jail (as mentioned earlier, 28 were released on December 4). Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Since I started my mandate on 1 November 2020, I am monitoring the ongoing Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, which erupted on 4 November 2020, and its impact on the Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers. 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. Wouldn't it be thrilling if Jehovah was securing their release because the Great Tribulation was about to start? 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. Ten other men have been in prison for over ten years. As a result, Witnesses are not allowed to hold government identity cards or business licenses, or to complete high school. UNESCO urges caution over fraudulent African artefacts sold in its name. Is this video confirmed ? Jehovahs Witnesses behind bars: some statistics. 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. galaxy s22 ultra s view flip cover support@missionbadlaav.com; withings account already exists Menu. The releases also coincide with reports that have emerged consistently since December 2020 of thousands of refugees being forcibly returned to Eritrea from two camps in Tigray, many of whom were allegedly detained. You can unsubscribe at any time. The UN Human Rights Office and the mechanisms we support work on a wide range of human rights topics. I am also concerned about allegations of possible implication of Eritrean troops in cases of serious human rights violations, including acts of abductions, forceful or unvoluntary return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers, and their imprisonment in different prisons in Eritrea. We will all keep watching closely for the latest developments. [4] General Assembly of the United Nations, Situation of human rights in Eritrea. They would kill you for trying, or even crying, a 48-year-old woman named Zenebu who works as a healthcare worker and lives in Colorado but was trapped in Tigray for weeks while visiting her mother, was quoted as saying. We expect allcommunity members to be active publishers in their congregations,therefore, please do not apply for membership if you are not currently one of Jehovah's Witnesses. If you have any questions about our services, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us.. On 1 February 2021, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons near Asmara. Police arrested others who were attending Christian meetings or publicly sharing their faith. 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 October 2020. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Neither camp is currently accessible; however, in January 2021 satellite imagery revealed that both had been extensively and deliberately destroyed. She saw trucks being loaded with boxes of looted items that were to be delivered to places in Eritrea. , Amazing how Jehovah moved those authorities to release them - the officials are probably scratching their heads, wondering why. I urge the Eritrean authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all of those who remain in prison because of their faith or belief. On 1 February 2021, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons near Asmara. The prisoners had been held between two and 12 years. one in charge of a division or department.". In September, HRWF had published its report In Prison For Their Faith 2020. 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). According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, approximately 20,000 refugees from Hitsat and Shimelba camps are currently missing. Sixty-four of the Christians had no charges and some of them were jailed for worshipping in public. Kate Forbes: Would a Christian be permitted to lead Scotland. What's wrong with the House of Bishops' proposed same-sex prayers? I am also concerned about allegations of possible implication of Eritrean troops in cases of serious human rights violations, including acts of abductions, forceful or unvoluntary return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers, and their imprisonment in different prisons in Eritrea. In 2013, Amnesty International researcher Claire Beston called Eritrea "one of the most repressive, secretive and inaccessible countries in the world.". 70 Christen mit orthodoxem und evangelischem Hintergrund sind in Eritrea aus dem Gefngnis entlassen worden. This week marked 25 years in prison without charges or trial for three men in Eritrea. I cannot imagine how these dear ones will adjust after so long imprisoned. They also cannot receive a complete education: 12th-grade education takes place at the Sawa military camp, but because Jehovah's Witnesses conscientiously object to military service, they do not register for their final year of education. December 4, 2020 in JW.org Press Releases & JW's in the News, BREAKING NEWS| Eritrea Releases 28 Jehovahs Witnesses From Prison Dennis Christensen and many otherstoo. These are other examples of numerous cases of individuals who are currently languishing in Eritrean prisons, with no prospect of release.
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