70 Christians Remain Jailed in Eritrea

Seventy Christians still remains in jail after the mass arrests during a wedding celebration in Eritrea's capital Asmara on 28th May 2005.

During the wedding party approximately 250 attendants were arrested and held in prison for several days. During that time police contacted their families to find out who were members of state approved churches.

Afterwards they were moved to separated cells and later released. However, seventy Christians belonging to the outlawed Protestant Church still remain imprisoned and according to Compass Direct, an unidentified source reports that they are being forced to recant their faith and become members of one the legal churches.

According to Compass Direct, among the detainees are Pastor Gideon of the Meserete Kristos Church, an evangelist identified only as Immanuel from the Kale Hiwot Church, and Esaye Stefanos, a nationally known gospel singer from the Full Gospel Church.

It is believed that these violations are a "retaliation for [a] protest vigil" held on 25th May 2005 in front of Eritrean embassy in Washington.

The rally was held to coincide with the third anniversary of the Eritrean government's campaign against evangelical Christians in Eritrea, as President Isaias Afewerki ordered registration for all religious groups and organisations. In addition he also ordered that all churches awaiting the registration process to be completed must be closed down also.

The only exceptions from the strict registration requirements are the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Sunni Islam, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Lutheran-affiliated Evangelical Church of Eritrea.

Since the new legislation, Christians not belonging to the 3 main Christian denominations have faced persecutions and have reportedly been imprisoned during New Year Celebrations, weddings and other social functions throughout the year.

Many of detained Christians are subjected to torture, kept in miserable conditions for even years in order to make them change their confession. Despite the testimonies of arrested Christians, the government still denies that any violations has taken place against the religious minorities.