In Eritrea, the report mentioned that 52 Jehovah's Witnesses were in jail (as mentioned earlier, 28 were released on December 4). On 4 December 2020, the government released 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea in her final statement to the UN Third Committee in New York in In recent years, several human rights bodies have expressed increasing concern over Eritrea's treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses. Their detention has also proven painful for friends and family, and one described his sorrow at losing his friend a quarter-century ago. detained. However, this good news must not obscure the Eritrean regime's continued complicity in egregious violations of human rights, both within its own borders and now in Tigray. My wife work in the same company as family members of one of the 3 brothers who have been in prison for so long time. I also welcome the release, on 4 December 2020, of 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the three conscientious objectors, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea in her statement during the They hav, Sorry sister,but did you quote that from Wikipedia or have you actually been exposed to East African culture? Jehovahs Witnesses will continue to inform government officials and others in authority about the situation in Eritrea. Seventy Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds, including women, have been released from three prisons in Eritrea, some after being held without charge for more than a decade, according to the U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide. . Thus, as the physical head directs the movements and operations of the body, or the head one of a department supervises the organization and work of his staff, so the . The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is the leading United Nations entity in the field of human rights, with a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people. However, our community is not an official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. . I recently spoke with an ex-prisoner that spent a couple of years in Sawa prison with Jehovah's Witnesses (including Isaac, Negede and Paulos). Last month, witnesses spoke with TheAssociated Press, detailing killings, looting and other abuses committed by Eritrean soldiers in Tigray. This experience made a deep impression on this sincere man, and after settling in Norway, he wanted to find out why Jehovahs Witnesses have such strong faith. The women were arrested after worshipping in public as they were walking down a street, an event which was caught on camera and circulated via social media. I'm so happy about this news that I have a silly smile on my face all day!!! And when will the authorities release Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, three conscientious objectors held for 26 years? While I welcome the release by the authorities of the Christians and Jehovahs Witnesses, I have to note that Eritrea continues to impose restrictions on religious freedoms. [2] Our Database is updated on a regular basis. Now for the rest of our brothers and sister's to come on out!!! Some of the prisoners had been held without charge or trial for up to 12 years. The trioidentified as Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariamhave been incarcerated in the East African nation since 1994, after refusing to partake in military service, part of their pacifist beliefs as Jehovah's Witnesses. Eritrea has not yet put in place an institutional and legal framework to uphold minimum human rights standards in a democratic society. Then from this day forward I will have a warm place in my heart for SARS-COVID-2. Update: This article has been updated to reflect a clarification from Jehovah's Witnesses spokesperson Gilles Pichaud in his statement. In 2013, Amnesty International researcher Claire Beston called Eritrea "one of the most repressive, secretive and inaccessible countries in the world.". Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Eritreas president, Isaias Afewerki, is a member of the Eritrean Orthodox Church in Asmara belonging to the largest among the only three Christian denominations allowed to function in the country. It is my honour to present my first oral update to the Council since taking up the role of Special Rapporteur last November 2020. On 1 February 2021, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons near Asmara. I am particularly concerned about the two refugee camps, which hosted over 25,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray region, Hitsats and Shemelba, and which were allegedly destroyed in attacks carried out by Eritrean and Ethiopian troops between November 2020 and January 2021, despite their protected humanitarian status under the 1951 Convention on the Protection of refugees. The UN Human Rights Office and the mechanisms we support work on a wide range of human rights topics. Stand up for Human Rights. Jehovah's Witnesses Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam were imprisoned in Eritrea since 1994. Since 2006, JWTalk has proved to be a well-moderated online community for realJehovah's Witnesses on the web. Cant wait to hear more about this. September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. Saddleback Church doubles down on support for female pastors, Mormonisms slow shift away from demonizing working mothers, Faith leaders urge Biden to sign executive order for reparations study by Juneteenth, For many congregations, wiping out medical debt has become a popular calling, Copyright 2020, Religion News Service. In the context of COVID-19, I call on Eritrean authorities to release those particularly vulnerable, including older detainees and those who are sick. All have maintained uncompromising integrity to Jehovah God. It is also not acceptable for Eritrea to arbitrary detain political opponents in secret prisons without charge or trial in violation of human rights standards. "We also call for urgent action to arrest the unfolding crisis in Tigray, including by imposing arms embargoes on the warring parties, and sanctions on the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea, who bear ultimate responsibility for human rights violations that are allegedly being committed with impunity by their respective forces.". The trioidentified as Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariamhave been incarcerated in. My CO sentit to me. While I welcome the release by the authorities of the Christians and Jehovahs Witnesses, I have to note that Eritrea continues to impose restrictions on religious freedoms. Please click here to learn how. In September, HRWF had published its report In Prison For Their Faith 2020. Male Jehovah's Witnesses between 18 and 40 often live in hiding, and if found by police, they face torture for objecting to military service. It hurt my heart to know that the best years of their lives were completely wasted in prison. CSW has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. In addition, 39 men and 10 women who are Witnesses are also imprisoned. According to July 2018 estimates by the US government, the total population of Eritrea is six million. The Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam are Je - hovah's Witnesses who are being held incommunicado by the State of Eritrea. Prior to enforcing conscription, Eritrean authorities had provided genuine alternatives with civilian service. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? Eritrea is the center point of some of the most intense persecution of Jehovahs Witnesses in modern times. I am concerned that the conditions in the camp have impact on the right to education. Theshouts of praise and sayings of gratitude to Jehovah from his heavenly and earthly children!! HRWF (04.12.2020) On December 4, 2020, 26 male and 2 female Jehovahs Witnesses in Eritrea were set free after being imprisoned for their faith. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in Eritrea. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? We need your help to continue this work. ultimate responsibility for human rights violations that are allegedly being Since there are no effective domestic legal procedures or remedies available to them, their imprisonment amounts to a de facto life sentence. Woke up this morning and found out they were suddenly released! The prisoners had been held without charge or trial for periods of between two and 12 years. That was the last time I saw my friend. Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam were detained on Sept. 17, 1994,apparently because they conscientiously objected to military service, according to a report published in August by the Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information. I wonder why they dont wear masks? In Eritrea, the report mentioned that 52 Jehovah's Witnesses were in jail (as mentioned earlier, 28 were released on December 4). Numerous Jehovahs Witnesses took part in these alternative options under different government administrations. This year has really had a lot of unexpected events. Detainees and conscripts at military training camps are subject to torture, including a method called "otto," in which hands are tied together behind the back while victims lie on their stomachs. Zenebu detailed how she looked on as she saw Eritrean soldiers loot the belongings from residents homes. December 4, 2020 in JW.org Press Releases & JW's in the News, BREAKING NEWS| Eritrea Releases 28 Jehovahs Witnesses From Prison ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. Big cities run by Democrats for decades are now supposedly 'ungovernable', HBO's sexploitation is a workers' rights travesty, WATCH: Steven Spielberg likens rise in antisemitism to 'Germany in the '30s', AOC gloats after construction of Virginia Amazon headquarters delayed as company cuts jobs, Alex Murdaugh trial: Watch the key video that could've sealed guilty murder verdict. We have been working with them in the field ministry and I had the priviledge of having a public talk, translated into Amahric. The situation of detainees and political prisoners is particularly concerning. It is also not acceptable for Eritrea to arbitrary detain political opponents in secret prisons without charge or trial in violation of human rights standards. The prisoners had been held between two and 12 years. Human Rights Watch reported this was "the most common torture method noted by former conscripts and detainees, practiced in all the prisons and in Wi'a and Sawa military camps. On 4 December 2020, the government released 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea in her final statement to the UN Third Committee in New York in . theia group stock Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/eritrea/, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2017-0309_EN.html, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/G1914037.pdf, https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Egypt.pdf, https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Eritrea.pdf, Human Rights Without Frontiers International. On Dec. 4, the government released 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years. Special Procedures, 46rd Session of the Human Rights Council. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Jehovahs Witnesses behind bars: some statistics. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. In a sudden turn of events, the man himself was put in prison. We believe no one should suffer discrimination, harassment or persecution because of their beliefs. "However, this good news must not obscure the Eritrean regime's continued complicity in egregious violations of human rights, both within its own borders and now in Tigray. Authorities arrested Eyasu, Mogos and Teklemariam on September 17, 1994, but formal charges were never filed and they've never come before the court. "Some of those Witnesses have been imprisoned for more than 20 years. of human rights, both within its own borders and now in Tigray. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in Eritrea. In their August report, the Jehovah's Witnesses called on Eritrea to release the 52 prisoners, grant full citizenship rights to Jehovah's Witnesses, and permit conscientious objection to military service. I was speaking with Jehovah, petitioning and giving all the reasons why their trial had to come to an end. All Witnesses currently in prison have never been charged, appeared in court, or sentenced. one in charge of a division or department.". Habtemichael Tesfamariam died at the age of76 on 3 January and Habtemichael Mekonen died at the age of77 on 6 March. Since gaining independence, Eritrea's government has required indefinite national service by physically able adults between 18 and 70 years of age. A man came to Norway as a refugee from Eritrea in 2011. However, the Ethiopian government has denied the involvement of Eritrean soldiers in the conflict. Because they will not participate in compulsory military service, Eritrean authorities consider them to be opposed to the regime. What will happen to immigrants admitted through Bidens illegal parole program? Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! Made me think of Joseph in prison, and how we never know what can happen. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. In total, over 50 Jehovah's Witnesses are currently imprisoned in Eritrea, and all are kept at Mai Serwa prison. I proposed that I visit Eritrea from 21 to 31 January 2021 to hold consultations with relevant officials from the Government and a range of actors with a view to assessing the human rights situation on the ground, and to exploring jointly future avenues for constructive engagement for the sake of the protection and promotion of human rights in the country. Most of the prisoners were freed from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, near the capital, Asmara, on 1 February. A positive development occurred in January 2016 when a court brought to trial the Witnesses arrested at the Memorial in Asmara in April 2014. They were held at the Sawa military training camp until 2017, when they were transferred to Mai Serwa prison, where they were briefly granted access to visitors for the first time since their imprisonment. We also call for urgent action to arrest the unfolding crisis in Tigray, including by imposing arms embargoes on the warring parties, and sanctions on the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea, who bear ultimate responsibility for human rights violations that are allegedly being committed with impunity by their respective forces. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. "Some of those Witnesses have been imprisoned for more than 20 years. The country lacks rule of law, a constitution and an independent judiciary to enforce the protection of and respect for human rights. Is this video confirmed ? in Tigray. This week marked 25 years in prison without charges or trial for three men in Eritrea. I can only imagine how this brother now feels. They also cannot receive a complete education: 12th-grade education takes place at the Sawa military camp, but because Jehovah's Witnesses conscientiously object to military service, they do not register for their final year of education. parties, and sanctions on the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea, who bear The country lacks rule of law, a constitution and an independent judiciary to enforce the protection of and respect for human rights. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. , Amazing how Jehovah moved those authorities to release them - the officials are probably scratching their heads, wondering why. ( As I have their names memorized)! Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam imprisoned without charge or trial. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Soon after Eritrea gained independence in 1993, President Isaias Afwerki began a crackdown on religious groups he felt opposed to the state. Neither camp is To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser.