Two Decades of Suffering: Eritrean Christians Demand Freedom for Detained Leaders

Religious freedom advocates gathered outside the Eritrean Embassy in Washington, D.C., on August 21, to urge the release of seven Christian leaders who have been imprisoned without charges for over 20 years. The embassy refused to accept a petition highlighting the severe human rights and religious freedom abuses in Eritrea, which violate the country’s constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

A Long History of Persecution
The detained leaders include Orthodox priests and Evangelical pastors, many of whom are suffering from serious health issues due to prolonged imprisonment. Rev. Million Gebreselassie, arrested in 2004, has been held for over 21 years without charge. Dr. Kuflu Gebremeskel faces stress-related hypertension and diabetes due to his detention. According to Wendy Wright of Christian Freedom International, these leaders are just a few examples of the many Christians persecuted in Eritrea.

Voices of Protest
Araya Debessay, an Eritrean-born activist, emphasized the lack of religious freedom in Eritrea, stating, “There is no religious freedom in Eritrea. There are so many who are being persecuted because of their religious beliefs. This is unconstitutional, this is wrong, and this should not happen.” Haile Tesfay added, “All is controlled by the government, and there is infiltration of the government in all religious institutions.”

Harsh Realities
Faith McDonnell of Katatismos Global described the harsh conditions faced by prisoners, including confinement in shipping containers and extreme forms of torture. Eritrea remains one of the world’s worst countries for Christian persecution, ranked sixth by Open Doors and designated a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. State Department.

Call to Action
The advocates’ efforts highlight the urgent need for international attention and action to address the human rights and religious freedom abuses in Eritrea. As the situation continues to deteriorate, it is essential for governments and organizations to work together to protect the rights of Christians and other persecuted groups in Eritrea.