The majority of the imprisoned male Jehovahs Witnesses are incarcerated indefinitely, with no hope of release until they die or are near death. Zenebu detailed how she looked on as she saw Eritrean soldiers loot the belongings from residents homes. It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved. 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. 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. More commonly though, they arrested individuals for undisclosed reasons. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. . "We feel deeply for Isaac, Negede, and Paulos, who have suffered harsh conditions for more than half their lives for refusing military service," Jehovah's Witnesses spokesperson Gilles Pichaud told Newsweek. This was the fir See more Woke up this morning and found out they were suddenly released! I can only imagine how this brother now feels. While the releases have been warmly welcomed, there is also speculation She said their pockets were filled with stolen jewelry and recalled some troops trying on looted clothing. I wonder if we'll learn at a later time the gravity of this And it has happened so suddenly! of all those detained arbitrarily on account of their religion or belief. The freed prisoners include six women who were arrested on a street after worshipping in public.. This is fantastically great news when so little news is good. Recommended for countries of particular concern: Eritrea, 2020, 2020. https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Egypt.pdfhttps://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Eritrea.pdf. Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariamhave been incarcerated in the Eritrea since 1994 Why can't the government allow them to take part in an alternative civilian service group to fulfil their obligation? . ", 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. I wonder why they dont wear masks? In a sudden turn of events, the man himself was put in prison. 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 October 2020. Update: This article has been updated to reflect a clarification from Jehovah's Witnesses spokesperson Gilles Pichaud in his statement. 1940s First communities of Jehovah's Witnesses are established in Eritrea. . These are other examples of numerous cases of individuals who are currently languishing in Eritrean prisons, with no prospect of release. Turning to the issue of the human rights situation in Eritrea, since October 2020, I have seen no concrete evidence of progress or actual improvement in the human rights situation in the country. There were over 96,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray before the crisis, living largely in four refugee camps, including Hitsats, Mai-Aini, Adi Harush, and Shemelba. Finally, since my appointment, I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with Eritrean officials. Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to work in government offices, and the state takes away their identity cards. Habtemichael Tesfamariam died at the age of76 on 3 January and Habtemichael Mekonen died at the age of77 on 6 March. This year has really had a lot of unexpected events. They would kill you for trying, or even crying, a 48-year-old woman named Zenebu who works as a healthcare worker and lives in Colorado but was trapped in Tigray for weeks while visiting her mother, was quoted as saying. In my update today, I will focus on the (a) the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the context of the ongoing Tigray crisis in Ethiopia, which added a new complicated dynamic in monitoring the human rights of the Eritrean people, and (b) the progress made in relation to the benchmarks set out in the reports of my predecessor. I am concerned that the conditions in the camp have impact on the right to education. It is also alleged that military officials in Sawa subject students to ill-treatment and harsh punishments, including corporal punishment, and students undertake forced labour. For more details about imprisoned Jehovahs Witnesses, seehttps://hrwf.eu/prisoners-database/. The Eritrean government's persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses goes back to the early 1990s, when the country became independent after a 1993 referendum. The Afwerki government revoked the citizenship of the country's Witnesses, citing their refusal to vote in the 1993 independence referendum, as well as their objection to conscription. I'm so happy about this news that I have a silly smile on my face all day!!! Sie wurden ohne Anklage oder Urteil festgehalten. trial, and should never have been incarcerated. 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. I hope the Eritrean authorities will cooperate with my mandate and I am still awaiting their response. On 18 December 2020, I requested an invitation to undertake an official visit to Eritrea in my capacity as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. Jehovah's Witnesses Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam have been imprisoned in Eritrea since 1994. If you want to discuss this subject, we prefer that you start a new topic. And when will the authorities release Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, three conscientious objectors held for 26 years? [2] Our Database is updated on a regular basis. re-designate Eritrea as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom; impose targeted sanctions on Eritrean government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals assets and/or barring their entry into the US under human rights related financial and visa authorities; use bilateral and multilateral diplomatic channels to urge the government of Eritrea to: release unconditionally detainees held on account of their religious activities; publish the registration law for religious groups along with clear guidelines for applying for or appealing decisions; end religious persecution of unregistered religious communities and grant full citizenship rights to Jehovahs Witnesses. Encouragement for the Worldwide Brotherhood, Breaking News/Eritrea prisoners released (merged), JWTalk - Jehovah's Witnesses Online Community. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in Eritrea. In addition, 39 men and 10 women who are Witnesses are also imprisoned. They were paraded round the camp in the back of a Toyota pickup truck. He noted their honesty and that they even shared their food with other prisoners. See brochure: SPECIAL REPORT: The Persecution of Jehovahs Witnesses in Eritrea.. Was this article helpful? His heartmust be overflowing with praise and thanks to Jehovah. Known as the Tigray War, the armed conflict has been ongoing since last November between the Tigray Regional Government (led by the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front) and forces supportive of the Ethiopian government, which include military forces from Eritrea. The prisoners had been held between two and 12 years. Kate Forbes: Would a Christian be permitted to lead Scotland. Witnesses, including the high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Your email address will not be published. Alex Murdaugh trial: Murderer sentenced to consecutive life sentences after being found guilty. Three brothersPaulos Eyassu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariamhave been in prison since September 1994, and the government has held another nine brothers for at least ten years. Additionally, Jehovahs Witnesses develop missionary activities in close social networks and hold religious meetings in private homes, which is illegal. Around 3,000 former residents of Shimelba and Hitsat have reportedly https://www.jw.org/en/news/jw/#newsAlerts, Trimis de pe al meu Redmi Note 4 folosind Tapatalk, This so wonderful for our brothers!!!! 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. I urge the Eritrean authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all of those who remain in prison because of their faith or belief. At Sawa, Mai Serwa, and other prisons and camps, detainees are often held in shipping containers. I am concerned that the conditions in the camp have impact on the right to education. 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. orange and black striped caterpillar australia; why is wcco off the air. Paulos Eyassu, Isaac Mogos, Negede Teklamarium most of all. Special Procedures, 46rd Session of the Human Rights Council. That was the last time I saw my friend. That they were released just now and so many of them. 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. I have not yet received a response from the Eritrean authorities. [6] United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, Annual Report, USCIRF. Ten other men have been in prison for over ten years. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Click to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The I have tears in my eyes while at work. By signing up you will receive news about CSW's work and how you can support it. On Jan. 27, six female prisoners, who had been in detention since last September, in Dekemhare, which is southeast of Asmara, were also released. If this is due to COVID-19 ( some news sources indicate others are being released for this reason). women were arrested after worshipping in public as they were walking down a paulos eyasu, isaac mogos and negede teklemariam releasedherramientas usadas para taller paulos eyasu, isaac mogos and negede teklemariam released. For example, since the last report of my predecessor, some prisoners such as Dawit Isaak, a Swedish-Eritrean journalist, and of ten of his colleagues remain for two decades in incommunicado detention. Some of the prisoners had been held without charge or trial for up to 12 years. This week marked 25 years in prison without charges or trial for three men in Eritrea. She added that some Eritrean soldiers went from door-to-door, killing Tigrayan men and boys as young as 7 years old. As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years. 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. 70 Christen mit orthodoxem und evangelischem Hintergrund sind in Eritrea aus dem Gefngnis entlassen worden. "They have never been charged nor given the opportunity to defend themselves in court. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. 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 Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. On 1 February 2021, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons near Asmara. CSW has offices in London, Brussels, Casper WY, Edinburgh, Washington DC and Kaduna. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in Eritrea. Soon after Eritrea gained independence in 1993, President Isaias Afwerki began a crackdown on religious groups he felt opposed to the state. The situation of detainees and political prisoners is particularly concerning. The releases also coincide with reports Thanks for your help Tortuga !!! After 19 years in detention, where is Dawit Isaak and when will he be released? Most of the prisoners were freed from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, near the capital, Asmara, on 1 February. 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 genocide. We expect allcommunity members to be active publishers in their congregations,therefore, please do not apply for membership if you are not currently one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Od wielu lat wadze Erytrei bez procesw i aktw oskarenia pod zarzutem dziaalnoci religijnej lub bez podania powodu aresztuj i wtrcaj do wizienia wiadkw Jehowy, w tym kobiety i starcw. Why is same-sex marriage an issue in the election of the new Scottish First Minister? In March 2002, the country passed a referendum requiring all religious groups outside of the four largest the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Eritrean Catholic Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea and Sunni Islamto obtain yearly registrations. ( As I have their names memorized)! Paulos Eyasu, Negede Teklemariam, and Isaac Mogos are Jehovah's Witnesses and have been imprisoned because of their strongly held religious beliefs. Since there are no effective domestic legal procedures or remedies available to them, their imprisonment amounts to a de facto life sentence. What a brilliant day this is for not just them but all of us that have prayed for them over the years. 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. Then from this day forward I will have a warm place in my heart for SARS-COVID-2. 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. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? A Christian migrant from Eritrea shows a crucifix made of wood after she attended a Sunday mass at the makeshift church in "The New Jungle" near Calais, France, August 2, 2015. According to July 2018 estimates by the US government, the total population of Eritrea is six million. The country is ruled by a totalitarian one-party dictatorship of Maoist inspiration. Neither camp is currently accessible; however, in January 2021 satellite imagery revealed that both had been extensively and deliberately destroyed. Citing eyewitnesses he met during a recent visit to Mai Aini, the "[We] hope our desire to find a solution will be considered," he said. Return to homepage. 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. PaulosEyassu, Isaac Mogos, Negede Teklamarium most of all. detained. All 52 Jehovahs Witnesses in prison in Eritrea have never been charged, appeared in court, or sentenced. We believe no one should suffer discrimination, harassment or persecution because of their beliefs. In this oral update, I request the Eritrean authorities to give me full access to refugees and asylum seekers allegedly held in various prisons inside Eritrea. "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. In recent years, several human rights bodies have expressed increasing concern over Eritrea's treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses. We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. "The courage of these three men, along with the other 39 men and 10 women, imprisoned in Eritrea for refusing to compromise their faith have been an inspiration to Jehovah's Witnesses all around the world," Pichaud told Newsweek, adding that the church has requested a meeting with President Afwerki. to the UN Third Committee in New York in October 2020. In addition, 39 men and 10 women who. 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, our community is not an official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved. This week marked 25 years in prison without charges or trial for three men in Eritrea. Since then, national presidential or legislative elections have never taken place. Cant wait to hear more about this. ", Pichaud added that while the trio have been pressured to deny their faith in return for freedom, "they are not bitter against the authorities.". However, this good news must It hurt my heart to know that the best years of their lives were completely wasted in prison. We send them this sms this morning and we are sure you would agree:Dear brothers, how wonderful Jehovah is. Dennis Christensen and many otherstoo. They also requested Eritrea to "ensure the legal recognition of conscientious objection to military service and provide for alternative service of a civilian nature for conscientious objectors.. 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. I also received first-hand accounts of allegations of grave human rights and humanitarian law violations, including extra judicial killings, targeted abductions and forced return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers to Eritrea, allegedly by Eritrean forces. On 28 January 2021, in my letter to the Government of Ethiopia, I called on the Ethiopian authorities to protect the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the Tigray region, and to ensure respect for their rights under human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law. On 27 January 2021, six female prisoners detained for worshipping in public in September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. On 27 January, six female prisoners who were detained in September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. Such allegations need to be investigated promptly and thoroughly by independent mechanisms. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1991 after 30 years of continuous armed struggle by the Eritrean Liberation Front. I too was thinking about that same thing, what significance is this for Jehovah? A positive development occurred in January 2016 when a court brought to trial the Witnesses arrested at the Memorial in Asmara in April 2014. Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea (Report A/HRC/41/53) May 16, 2019. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/G1914037.pdf. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. They were released after 26 years on February 5th, 2021. Sixty-four of the Christians had no charges and some of them were jailed for worshipping in public. and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in I hope the Eritrean authorities will cooperate with my mandate and I am still awaiting their response. Since I started my mandate on 1 November 2020, I am monitoring the ongoing Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, which erupted on 4 November 2020, and its impact on the Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers. from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, close to the capital city, Asmara. Is something happening on a global scale that we donot yet know about? , Amazing how Jehovah moved those authorities to release them - the officials are probably scratching their heads, wondering why. 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. As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years. Eritrea has failed to implement the recommendations issued by these authorities. 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. Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! In September 2018, he was baptized as one of Jehovahs Witnesses. Therefore, they do not know when they will be released.
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