Open Doors calls for the release of seven pastors imprisoned in Eritrea for 21 years

Please join us in praying for the impact of a campaign calling for the release of seven imprisoned pastors in Eritrea.

Open Doors UK & Ireland has joined with other charities to call for the immediate release of seven pastors in Eritrea who have been imprisoned for 21 years.

The launch of this campaign is on Friday (22 August), which is UN International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, and is being done in collaboration with Voices 4 Justice, a new consortium of charities from different countries aimed at highlighting specific violations of religious freedom.

21 years of suffering

For more than 20 years, Eritrea’s autocratic regime only recognises three Christian denominations – Catholic, Orthodox and Lutheran. Those who seek to express their faith outside these groups risk raids, fines and imprisonment in deplorable conditions. The country – often called the ‘North Korea of Africa’ – is infamous for holding some prisoners in shipping containers. Even those part of the three recognised groups can experience hostility. The persecution facing many Christians is extreme – and that’s why Eritrea is sixth on the World Watch List.

“Eritrean church leaders – the Rev. Haile Naizge, Dr Kuflu Gebremeskel, Rev. Million Gebreselassie, Dr Futsum Gebrenegus, Rev. Dr Tekleab Menghisteab, Rev. Gebremedhin Gebregiorgis, Rev. Pastor Kidane Weldou – have been detained arbitrarily for at least 20 years,” says Tiffany Barrens, Open Doors’ International Global Advocacy Director.

“Not one has been charged or brought before a court,” she continues. “They have had no legal representation, and their families have not been permitted to visit them. Their plight epitomises the suffering of thousands of prisoners of conscience currently held without charge or trial in Eritrea. We are calling for their immediate release.”

Why are the pastors being held?

The seven church leaders – who were arrested in morning raids, at police checkpoints, or picked up off the street – are believed to be held incommunicado in Wengel Mermera Criminal Investigation Centre, a dungeon-like maximum security prison in the capital Asmara. Since being detained, some of their family members have died, while others have been forced to flee the country.

Among the seven are three Orthodox priests – and that’s despite the Orthodox Church being recognised by the authorities. Dr Futsum Gebrenegus, Rev. Dr Tekleab Menghisteab and Rev. Gebremedhin Gebregiorgis were all involved in a renewal movement within the denomination. This was unpopular with the government, who ordered the then-Orthodox patriarch to put an end to the movement and excommunicate its 3,000 members. The patriarch’s refusal to do so, and his stance against further government interference, led to his removal from office and house arrest.

The specific reasons for the arrests of the other pastors are unclear. However, according to one country expert, the government views churches – especially Orthodox and Protestant – churches ‘as a hindrance to the new national identity the ruling group wants to create in the country’.

“Anything done by any churches or its members seen as a threat to the absolute control currently in place will be subjected to punishment,” he added.

Nighttime raids

Voices 4 Justice are scheduled to hold a peaceful protest tomorrow (21 August) outside the Eritrean Embassy in London, with demonstrators due to hand in a letter to the Embassy.

According to research by Open Doors, over 120 Christians were detained without any charges between January and May 2024. On 24 April 2024, in the towns of Agordat, Barentu and Teseney in western and central Eritrea, over 35 Christians were arrested at their homes during coordinated nighttime raids.

Please pray into this campaign, and for all Christians who suffer so much at the hands of a regime that wants to stifle their right to believe. Thank you.