70 Christians freed from prison in Eritrea

 CSW

Dozens of Christians have been freed from prison in Eritrea after being held for years without charge. 

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports that the Christians - 70 in total - came from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds, with prison sentences ranging from two to 12 years.

CSW said they were detained without charge or trial, and "should never have been incarcerated".

The freed prisoners include six women who were arrested on a street after worshipping in public. 

Most of the prisoners were freed from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, near the capital, Asmara, on 1 February.

In December, 24 Jehovah's Witnesses were freed, among them high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years. 

Although their release has been welcomed, CSW said it is possible that Eritrea is trying to deflect international attention away from its involvement in the ongoing war in Ethiopia's Tigray region, where Eritrean troops have been accused of acts of violence that may amount to war crimes or even genocide.  

CSW's Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: "CSW welcomes the release of these Christians in Eritrea, who were detained without charge or trial, and should never have been incarcerated.

"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.

"We call on the international community to press Eritrea for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained arbitrarily on account of their religion or belief.

"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."

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Campaign seeks to put children's rights first in gay marriage debate
Campaign seeks to put children's rights first in gay marriage debate

Katy Faust is challenging the legal definition of marriage in the US, arguing that the rights of children to a mother and father have been undermined, and she sees parallels with the UK.

New report accuses Armenian government of targeting Apostolic Church
New report accuses Armenian government of targeting Apostolic Church

The report came as EU leaders gathered in Yerevan.

Reform will be 'far friendlier' to Christians than other parties if it wins office
Reform will be 'far friendlier' to Christians than other parties if it wins office

Farage is “not just giving lip service" to Christianity, says Reform's head of policy.

Council of Europe criticised over inadequate response to anti-Christian incidents
Council of Europe criticised over inadequate response to anti-Christian incidents

"There are mechanisms to combat anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, but nothing concerning Christians."