A number of children are among the 218 Christians arrested by the Eritrean Government in the last year as it steps up its campaign against Christianity across the country. This latest crackdown means that around 400 Christians are currently imprisoned – indefinitely, without trial or charge – because of their faith.
UK-based Release International (RI) partner Dr Berhane Asmelash, a former prisoner of faith, says: ‘Most were taken from their houses, some at 3am. In the last round of arrests not only have children been arrested with their parents, but in some cases entire families are now in prison.
‘We are very concerned for the physical and mental wellbeing of the children, some of whom are only two years old. This is totally unacceptable, and we strongly condemn this inhuman act by the Eritrean Government.’
Eritrea, in the horn of east Africa, is a single-party state headed by Isaias Afwerki, who came to power in 1993. He cancelled elections pledged for 1997 and thereafter suspended the country’s draft democratic Constitution. In 2002, the regime banned most Christian denominations. Since then, it has routinely rounded up Christians and jailed them indefinitely without trial.
Some have been behind bars for more than 20 years. A number have been held in steel shipping containers in the heat of the desert. Many have been tortured and some have died from abuse and untreated illness. Some have been forced to renounce their faith in order to be released. Eritrea is often described as ‘the North Korea of Africa’.
Whilst in prison in Eritrea, Dr Berhane spent time with prisoners who were on death row and led some to faith. He was subject to a mock execution. Several times he could have escaped, but felt God wanted him to remain to serve the prisoners.
When he was finally able to leave the country, he came to Britain and has campaigned tirelessly since for the persecuted church in Eritrea.
