Tuesday 25th September 2007

Open Doors comments

Dr Berhane, unable to return to Eritrea

Dr Berhane Asmelash trained and worked as a doctor until he became church director and medical projects co-ordinator of the Kale Hiwot Church, Eritrea, in 1994. He was the overseer of fourteen churches and various social projects until his Church sent him to the U.K. to pursue theological study in 1999. The situation in Eritrea meant he was unable to return. He is now director of Release Eritrea, an advocacy group that campaigns for religious freedom in Eritrea, as well as pursuing post-graduate theological study and ministerial training.

Open Doors have regularly reported the extent of persecution in Eritrea, with over 2,000 Christians detained without charge or trial. A police raid on a worship service on Sunday 29 April this year resulted in the arrest of 80 members of the Mehrete Yesus Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Asmara.

Then in May Pastor Michael Abraha was detained during recent dawn raids that targeted the homes of members of the Kale Hiwot Church in the Dekemhare area. He was later released, along with many of those who were arrested with him. However, it was reported that Christians who visited the detainees in the aftermath of the raids were themselves detained and are currently imprisoned in W'ia military training camp.

Yet a senior Eritrean government official recently categorically denied the existence of religious repression in Eritrea. The Director of the Office of the President, Mr. Yemane Gebremeskel, described reports of mass arrests as "distorted and exaggerated" and stated that in Eritrea "people have never been prevented from their right to worship freely". However, he later admitted to the "periodic arrests" of members of "new faiths" who "assemble illegally".

Dr Berhane responded to these comments, saying: "It is unfortunate that yet again the government of Eritrea has chosen the path of denial and distortion." Those attending the UNITE event on 29 September will have the opportunity to hear Dr Berhane bring the latest news of the Church in Eritrea.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

About Open Doors

Open Doors supports the Persecuted Church in 45 countries around the world by: training church leaders and Christian workers; supplying Bibles and other Christian resources to Christians who either can't get a Bible or have difficulty; providing practical livelihood training and opportunities; visiting, comforting and encouraging those who are suffering; and raising awareness of the difficulties facing persecuted Christians and mobilising prayer support throughout the western world.

You can find out more by visiting www.opendoorsuk.org, by visiting the youth site www.gounderground.org or by visiting www.odshockwave.org

View all articles by Open Doors

Reader Comments

Posted by Simon in Coventry @ 14:59 on Jan 23 2008

I'm a bit surprised by the above comments. You read a story about suffering but deny it's happening because you didn't see it? I'm reminded of Thomas...
Or use it for a morality rant about something else. Fair comment about the US government. But suffering IS happening in Eritrea - there are real people facing suffering we could not begin to believe - the article isn't a platform for a rant - more a call to prayer and rememberance.

[reply] [report abuse]

Posted by Vince Millett in Croydon, UK @ 11:07 on Oct 19 2007

Why are we concerned and outraged when Governments like this arrest and hold people without trial or charge, when most Christians seem to support the US government doing the same and torturing them too? You're all strangely silent about that. Most Christians' morality is more based on tribal affiliation than on biblical truth or concepts of justice.

[reply] [report abuse]

Posted by Alula Ghebrehannes in London @ 13:55 on Sep 27 2007

I am very surprised to hear when people criticising the government of Eritrea of being dictatorial and brutal regime. Infact Eritrea is the best country interms of human right issues. They fought for thirty bitter and hard struggle years for independence from Ethiopia. They still struggling to to make Eritrea a pesperous nation without help from the outside world. Let us respect them.

[reply] [report abuse]

Posted by Yemane in Masawa @ 16:20 on Sep 26 2007

The Eritrean Government is the most dictator regiem in the world. It presecuting belivers and at the same time lying as that of a pork. What a hell!

Please help us in getriding this burutal regim

[reply] [report abuse]

Posted by Simon in london @ 20:13 on Sep 25 2007

I visted Asmara, eritrea in May of this year. I was fortunate to attend the Eritrean Evangelical church at Geza Kenisha. The Church was full. People worshiped without any hinderance.
Near where I was staying there was a Catholic Church, who's bells tolled for the faithufull to and worship at 5 am everyday.
The clear crisp morning of Asmara was usally pierced with the call to Prayer by the local Mosques and Churchs.
So where is this repression of religious rights? It is a historical fact that, Africa was conqured in equal measure by the 'missionary' as much as by the soldier.

[reply] [report abuse]

The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

Eritrea - Over 2,000 Detained Without Charge Or Trial

Open Doors comments

Reader Comments

Add your comment

We welcome your opinions but libellous and abusive comments are not allowed.