Christian Persecution Watchdog Rallies Prayers, Petitions for Eritrea

As Eritrea marks its 18th Independence Day this Sunday, followers of Christ around the world will be lifting up prayers on behalf of the persecuted believers in the east African nation.

Since 2002, the Marxist-style regime in Eritrea has reportedly detained more than 2,000 Christians without trial and forced dozens of churches and Christian ministries to close. Many, furthermore, have been tortured for their faith, which they are pressed to renounce.

“Imagine living as a Christian in Eritrea,” remarked Andy Dipper, CEO of Release International, which is rallying Christians around the world to join in the Day of Prayer for Eritrea on Sunday. “Your church has been closed and its assets confiscated. Every church program has been halted. You and others are forced to meet in secret. Your pastor has been arrested, imprisoned and has disappeared. His family has fled the country."

“This is the reality for many Christians in Eritrea,” he stated.

According to Release, secret police routinely spy on Christians, and many leading pastors and Christian workers have been arrested. In most cases, the organization adds, they have disappeared without trace inside Eritrea’s prison system and their relatives are often kept in the dark as to whether their loved ones are dead or alive.

In the past six months, three Christians held for their faith in military jails have reportedly died. The latest death, which happened on Jan. 16, was that of 42-year-old Mehari Gebreneguse Asgedom, who had been held in solitary confinement. The member of the Church of the Living God in Mendefera reportedly died from torture and diabetes.

“Please join our campaign to support them (Christians in Eritrea) in prayer – and bring pressure to bear so Eritrea’s National Day becomes a day for change,” Dipper urges the wider Christian community.

“Please also pray for Christians in detention, and for the many refugees now living in Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan,” he adds.

Release International is currently rallying believers to sign a petition that will be sent to the Eritrean Ambassador to the United Kingdom in London, where Release is based.

In it, the government of Eritrea is urged to “take swift and positive action to protect the rights of all citizens including their basic human rights of conscience and freedom of religion as guaranteed under Eritrea’s Constitution.”

“Please ask your friends and church members to sign the Release petition,” Dipper urges.

“Pray also for change – that Eritrea will act on our petition and respect the rights of all religious groups,” he adds.

Since 2002, Eritrea has recognized only three churches – the Orthodox Church of Eritrea, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran-affiliated Evangelical Church of Eritrea. The authorities have closed down all other churches.

On the Web:

Release International Eritrea petition at: www.releaseinternational.org/media/Eritrea2009/EritreaPetition2009.pdf