Since 2006, JWTalk has proved to be a well-moderated online community for realJehovah's Witnesses on the web. 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. And when will the authorities release Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, three conscientious . Sixty-four of the Christians had no charges and some of them were jailed for worshipping in public. He was a very honest, hardworking, upright man. The prisoners had been held without charge or I have received information from credible sources that, as of November 2020, the situation of these refugees and asylum seekers has become more precarious and worrisome. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Vote Religious Freedom Updates Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. Paulos Eyassu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, among others, have been imprisoned for over 20 years for their Christian faith. However, this good news must not obscure the Eritrean regimes continued complicity in egregious violations of human rights, both within its own borders and now in Tigray.. 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. Eritrea has failed to implement the recommendations issued by these authorities. After 19 years in detention, where is Dawit Isaak and when will he be released? I am in tears . However, our community is not an official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam are Je - hovah's Witnesses who are being held incommunicado by the State of Eritrea. 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 WARWICK, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Eritrea is the center point of some of the most intense persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in modern times. Is it related to the Civil war in Ethiopia? Special Procedures, 46rd Session of the Human Rights Council. "Our families spent the whole evening together. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? The men's families appealed for help to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, but the Eritrean government has ignored their request to allow lawyers, family members, and doctors to visit the three prisoners. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. This year has really had a lot of unexpected events. The new president declared that Eritrean-born Jehovahs Witnesses were no longer considered citizens primarily because they stood firm to their position of Christian neutrality by refusing to take part in National Service. On 1 February, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. Ten other men have been in prison for over ten years. Tuesday marks the 25th anniversary of the imprisonment of three Jehovah's Witnesses in Eritrea, where they have been subject to torture and allowed little contact with the world outside the prison walls. We send them this sms this morning and we are sure you would agree:Dear brothers, how wonderful Jehovah is. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, approximately 20,000 refugees from Hitsat and Shimelba camps are currently missing. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, approximately 20,000 They have spent between 5 and 26 years in prison. Authorities arrested Eyasu, Mogos and Teklemariam on September 17, 1994, but formal charges were never filed and they've never come before the court. What's wrong with the House of Bishops' proposed same-sex prayers? It is my honour to present my first oral update to the Council since taking up the role of Special Rapporteur last November 2020. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. The UN Human Rights Office and the mechanisms we support work on a wide range of human rights topics. The situation of detainees and political prisoners is particularly concerning. The JW's doctrine of political neutrality has led to imprisonment of members who refused conscription. international community to press Eritrea for the immediate and unconditional release We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Please click here to learn how. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. I am also concerned of the imapact of the national serice on the right to educaiton of Eritrean students. unfolding crisis in Tigray, including by imposing arms embargoes on the warring She added that some Eritrean soldiers went from door-to-door, killing Tigrayan men and boys as young as 7 years old. On 27 January, six female prisoners who were detained in September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. I was speaking with Jehovah, petitioning and giving all the reasons why their trial had to come to an end. the release of these Christians in Eritrea, who were detained without charge or By a presidential decree dated 25 October1994, President Afewerki revoked citizenship for Jehovahs Witnesses because they did not participate in the 1993 independence referendum and they are conscientious objectors to military service. 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. I am in tears . "Some of those Witnesses have been imprisoned for more than 20 years. trial, and should never have been incarcerated. Three men, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been in prison for conscientious objection to compulsory military service since 17 September 1994. The prisoners had been held between two and 12 years. I call on Eritrean authorities to put an end to such treatments and comply with their international human rights obligations. not obscure the Eritrean regimes continued complicity in egregious violations This week marked 25 years in prison without charges or trial for three men in Eritrea. In Eritrea, the report mentioned that 52 Jehovah's Witnesses were in jail (as mentioned earlier, 28 were released on December 4). He was young and a person of impeccable character.". He noted their honesty and that they . It is my honour to present my first oral update to the Council since taking up the role of Special Rapporteur last November 2020. Is something happening on a global scale that we donot yet know about? [2] Our Database is updated on a regular basis. In 2013, Amnesty International researcher Claire Beston called Eritrea "one of the most repressive, secretive and inaccessible countries in the world.". Jehovahs Witnesses will continue to inform government officials and others in authority about the situation in Eritrea. And when will the authorities release Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, three conscientious objectors held for 26 years? Was this article helpful? Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! Woke up this morning and found out they were suddenly released! . I canimagine a broadcast in the coming months containinginterviews with these faithful brothers and sisters. Esteemed Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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 I call on Eritrean authorities to put an end to such treatments and comply with their international human rights obligations. Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to work in government offices, and the state takes away their identity cards. Ten other men have been in prison for over ten years. 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. https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&prefer=lang&docid=502019283&par=2. September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. 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. 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. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1991 after 30 years of continuous armed struggle by the Eritrean Liberation Front. She also urged the Government to provide members of this congregation with the opportunity to participate in a form of civil service that is consistent with their religious beliefs.[5]. These are other examples of numerous cases of individuals who are currently languishing in Eritrean prisons, with no prospect of release. When Jehovahs Witnesses called on him, he told them that he had met Witnesses in his homeland. 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. Around 3,000 former residents of Shimelba and Hitsat have reportedly managed to reach Mai Aini, one of the two remaining camps for Eritrean refugees in Tigray. In a sudden turn of events, the man himself was put in prison. In 2018, two Jehovahs Witnesses died after their transfer to the Mai Serwa Prison. Apparently one of the brothers being released. Eritrean officials declined to attend a July hearing before the commission, in which the prisoners' lawyers said they would like to discuss a resolution to the case. Additionally, Jehovahs Witnesses develop missionary activities in close social networks and hold religious meetings in private homes, which is illegal. In a sudden turn of events, the man himself was put in prison. Furthermore, Jehovahs Witnesses decline to participate in political elections. For more details about imprisoned Jehovahs Witnesses, seehttps://hrwf.eu/prisoners-database/. . I also welcome the release, on 4 December 2020, of 24 Jehovahs 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 presentation of her report to the Human Rights Council in June 2020, and her interactive dialogue with the UN General Assembly on 26 October 2020. 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. of human rights, both within its own borders and now in Tigray. Since gaining independence, Eritrea's government has required indefinite national service by physically able adults between 18 and 70 years of age. UNESCO urges caution over fraudulent African artefacts sold in its name. PaulosEyassu, Isaac Mogos, Negede Teklamarium most of all. On 1 February, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, close to the capital city, Asmara. On 1 February 2021, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons near Asmara. theia group stock As a worldwide association of brothers, we rejoice over this development. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Four Witness men have died while in prison, and three died after they were released because of the harsh conditions they suffered. Your email address will not be published. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Press briefing note on Myanmar/Bangladesh - Rohingya, UN expert implores Myanmars Suu Kyi: open your eyes, listen, feel with your heart, National institutions and regional mechanisms. This is awesome news. "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. I've also been praying for them by first name, when I learned they were imprisoned, for over 20 years at that time. On 6 July 2017, the European Parliaments resolution on Eritrea, notably the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak, condemned in the strongest terms Eritreas systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations, and called upon the Eritrean Government to put an end to detention of the opposition, journalists, religious leaders and innocent civilians. Brothers Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam were released after 26 years of imprisonment.They were put in Prison for refusing Military Service. 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. 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. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Some Jehovahs Witness prisoners have been detained in metal shipping containers, while others were held in stone or metal buildings half buried in the ground. 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. Eritrea continues to have no national assembly to adopt laws, including those regulating fundamental rights and the right of the Eritrean people to participate freely in the public life of their country. 1940s First communities of Jehovah's Witnesses are established in Eritrea. Turning to the issue of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, there has been no progress. All rights reserved. None of the three have been charged or granted a hearing. According to July 2018 estimates by the US government, the total population of Eritrea is six million. Because they will not participate in compulsory military service, Eritrean authorities consider them to be opposed to the regime. See brochure: SPECIAL REPORT: The Persecution of Jehovahs Witnesses in Eritrea.. I hope the Eritrean authorities will cooperate with my mandate and I am still awaiting their response. Required fields are marked *. street, an event which was caught on camera and circulated via social media. In almost all cases, Jehovahs Witnesses are arrested and imprisoned without any formal criminal charges, trial or sentencing. As our audience increases - so do our costs. Eritrea is the center point of some of the most intense persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in modern times. "Some of those Witnesses have been imprisoned for more than 20 years. With one recent exception, those imprisoned have never had the opportunity to offer a defence in court. Administrative Office 2525 W. Greenway Rd., Ste. Or is something happening on a global scale that we donot yet know about? Information about Eritrea and the Horn of Africa, Source: UNhttps://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26795&LangID=E, Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights situation in Eritrea,Mr Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, 46rd Session of the Human Rights Council. We need your help to continue this work. in Tigray. And the e re at from a list. There he found himself with three WitnessesPaulos Eyasu, Negede Teklemariam, and Isaac Mogoswho had been incarcerated for their faith since 1994. On 1 February, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, close to the capital city, Asmara.