In my update today, I will focus on the (a) the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the context of the ongoing Tigray crisis in Ethiopia, which added a new complicated dynamic in monitoring the human rights of the Eritrean people, and (b) the progress made in relation to the benchmarks set out in the reports of my predecessor. The country lacks rule of law, a constitution and an independent judiciary to enforce the protection of and respect for human rights. 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. Earlier this year, the United Nations Human Rights Committee asked Eritrea "to release all persons arrested or detained for exercising their freedom of religion, including Jehovahs Witnesses." The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". A Quarter Century Unjustly Imprisoned in Eritrea | newsfilter.io According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, approximately 20,000 refugees from Hitsat and Shimelba camps are currently missing. Just shows how things can change for the better all of a sudden. Is it related to the Civil war in Ethiopia? Three Jehovah's Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been incarcerated for 25 years. September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. Eritrea has held three Jehovah's Witnesses in jail for 25 years Eritreas president, Isaias Afewerki, is a member of the Eritrean Orthodox Church in Asmara belonging to the largest among the only three Christian denominations allowed to function in the country. "We feel deeply for Isaac, Negede, and Paulos, who have suffered harsh conditions for more than half their lives for refusing military service," Jehovah's Witnesses spokesperson Gilles Pichaud told Newsweek. Is this video confirmed ? 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. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? By The trioidentified as Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariamhave been incarcerated in the East African nation since 1994, after refusing to partake in military service, part of their pacifist beliefs as Jehovah's Witnesses. final statement Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. Four others died in prison and three died after release, reportedly as a result of their treatment. News in Brief 1 July 2020 | | UN News It does not store any personal data. 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. Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose The majority of the imprisoned male Jehovahs Witnesses are incarcerated indefinitely, with no hope of release until they die or are near death. Paulos Eyassu, Isaac Mogos, Negede Teklamarium most of all. We will all keep watching closely for the latest developments. However, 75-year-old Afewerki, the leader of the ruling Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice Party, has the reputation of being an alcoholic and a ruthless autocrat. In practice, human rights activists claim, the other faiths present in the country are not allowed to register, stripping them of their protections under the law: Last week, seven religious schools were seized by the government, including ones run by Protestant, Muslim and Catholic groups. Eritrea: Seventy Christians released from three prisons Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. According to the UN It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved. He noted their honesty and that they . 'It was very painful to lose such a friend': Jehovah's Witnesses theia group stock By signing up you will receive news about CSW's work and how you can support it. Three young men; Isaac, Negede and Paulos; were 18 and 21 year old when they were arrested in September 24, 1994. Breaking News/Eritrea prisoners released (merged) - JWTalk acusaes em julgamento - Traduo em espanhol - exemplos portugus I wonder why they dont wear masks? It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved. The situation of detainees and political prisoners is particularly concerning. What a brilliant day this is for not just them but all of us that have prayed for them over the years. Petition Release Imprisoned Jehovah's Witnesses & Others Imprisoned I too was thinking about that same thing, what significance is this for Jehovah? UNESCO urges caution over fraudulent African artefacts sold in its name. In October last, 69 Christians had been released, apparently due to the Covid, but five more had been arrested. If you want to discuss this subject, we prefer that you start a new topic. "They have never been charged nor given the opportunity to defend themselves in court. Statements 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/. Jehovahs Witnesses behind bars: some statistics. On December 4, 2020, 26 brothers and 2 sisters in Eritrea were set free after being imprisoned for their faith. We believe no one should suffer discrimination, harassment or persecution because of their beliefs. Furthermore, Jehovahs Witnesses decline to participate in political elections. Apa Arti " PAULOS " Dalam Bahasa Indonesia On 27 January 2021, six female prisoners detained for worshipping in public in September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. I am also concerned of the imapact of the national serice on the right to educaiton of Eritrean students. He noted their honesty and that they even shared their food with other prisoners. CSW welcomes the release of these Christians in Eritrea, who were detained without charge or trial, and should never have been incarcerated, CSW President Mervyn Thomas said. Known as the Tigray War, the armed conflict has been ongoing since last November between the Tigray Regional Government (led by the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front) and forces supportive of the Ethiopian government, which include military forces from Eritrea. (845) 744-6000, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, who have been in prison in Eritrea since September 17, 1994. While in prison, this man saw firsthand that Jehovahs Witnesses live by what they teach. Finally, since my appointment, I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with Eritrean officials. See our advertising page if you would like more information. On December 4, 2020, 26 brothers and 2 sisters in Eritrea were set free after being imprisoned for their faith. Gilles Pichaud ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. Some of the prisoners had been held without charge or trial for up to 12 years. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1991 after 30 years of continuous armed struggle by the Eritrean Liberation Front. I cannot imagine how these dear ones will adjust after so long imprisoned. They were released after 26 years on February 5th, 2021. Authorities arrested Eyasu, Mogos and Teklemariam on September 17, 1994, but formal charges were never filed and they've never come before the court. 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. Jehovahs Witnesses will continue to inform government officials and others in authority about the situation in Eritrea. , Amazing how Jehovah moved those authorities to release them - the officials are probably scratching their heads, wondering why. Eritrea Imprisons Jehovah's Witnesses for Their Faith - JW.ORG 70 Christians freed from prison in Eritrea | gatewaynews.co.za CSW said they were detained without charge or trial, and "should never have been incarcerated". In a sudden turn of events, the man himself was put in prison. 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. Esteemed Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. She also urged the Government to provide members of this congregation with the opportunity to participate in a form of civil service that is consistent with their religious beliefs.[5]. HRWF puts a database of news from a variety of outside sources at the disposal of human rights researchers.