The Government of Eritrea Denies Religious Persecution

The Government of Eritrea Denies Religious Persecution.

In a recent interview the Director of the Office of the President of Eritrea, Mr Yemane Gebremeskel, stated that no religious persecution occurs within the country. In response to a question about large numbers of arrests amongst faith groups Mr Gebremeskel stated 'small groups have emerged in the past seven, eight years. Most of these groups were beneficiaries of secret or undeclared foreign funds. Most of them went against the national fabric: to oppose the national service or to penetrate and sow division within the traditional faiths'. The Eritrean government requires faith groups to officially register and declare the origin of any funding they may receive. The government officially recognises four faiths – Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Islam. Mr Gebremeskel reported that 'the periodic arrests, which are distorted and exaggerated, occur when members of these fringe groups assemble illegally'. However, Release-Eritrea believes that 'the arrests and denial of freedom of worship far from being limited to small or new groups is a universal one aimed at curtailing freedom of worship to all.'
The Seventh Day Adventist, The Faith Mission, Kale Hiwot and Muluwengel were all shut in 2002 for operating without registration. However, these churches are not newly established and have been operational in Eritrea for at least 50 years. Yet even the recognised faith groups are not safe the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Eritrea, who is the legal head of the Church with followers accounting for 40% of the Eritrean populace, is under house arrest having been illegally deposed by a government sanctioned interference in the operation of the church.

Dr Berhane Asmelash, Director of Release- Eritrea UK, stated; ' it is unfortunate that yet again the government of Eritrea has chosen the path of denial and distortion rather that carry out a reality check in assessing the damage both to the image of the country, but perhaps more importantly to the lives of thousands of innocent Eritreans who continue to face a daily barrage of harassment, arrests, torture and even death in prison just for having a Christian faith'.

Speaking about the accusation of foreign funding and refusal of National Service Dr Asmelash stated; ' I am surprised that Mr Gebremeskel chose this path; five years after the closure of these churches and several years after the government has combed through the accounts and operations, no one has been able to produce a shred of evidence to support this accusation. On the issue of National Service it is suffice to say that the severe form of persecution in fact started and continues to be carried out at the various training camps, if these churches were opposing the National Service what is the explanation for the huge numbers represented in the army?'

There is some good news however, Pastor Michael Abraha, who was detained following a dawn raid at a home near Dekemhare, at the end of May, has been released, together with many of those who were detained at the same time. Ye despite this positive event it should be remembered that during that particular dawn raid several people, belonging to Kalw Hiwot Church, including young children were dragged out of their beds and arrested. Contacts in Asmara have however conveyed that some believers who went to visit those detained at the dawn raid were detained and have been taken to the prisons at Wea military training camp, the desert camp prison is notorious for its harsh conditions, including lack of clean drinking water.

Originally published July 2007.