by admin_HRWF | Dec 4, 2020 | Uncategorized. He has been imprisoned for the past 25 years. of human rights, both within its own borders and now in Tigray. Several new topics have been merged into this topic. parties, and sanctions on the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea, who bear genocide. She saw trucks being loaded with boxes of looted items that were to be delivered to places in Eritrea. Then from this day forward I will have a warm place in my heart for SARS-COVID-2. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. 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. As a result, Witnesses are not allowed to hold government identity cards or business licenses, or to complete high school. 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. 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. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Like many others imprisoned in Eritrea, detained Jehovahs Witnesses have no legal recourse and so cannot challenge their indefinite detention. The UN Human Rights Office and the mechanisms we support work on a wide range of human rights topics. Most of the prisoners were freed from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, near the capital, Asmara, on 1 February. Sorry for the Trouble. In addition, 39 men and 10 women who. 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. On Jan. 27, six female prisoners, who had been in detention since last September, in Dekemhare, which is southeast of Asmara, were also released. that they mark the latest effort by the Eritrean regime to distract international In recent years, prominent human rights bodies have expressed increasing concern over Eritreas blatant disregard for international human rights standards, including cases involving Jehovahs Witnesses. On Dec. 4, the government released 24 Jehovahs Witnesses, including conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years. Jehovahs Witnesses behind bars: some statistics. We send them this sms this morning and we are sure you would agree:Dear brothers, how wonderful Jehovah is. If you have any questions about our services, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us.. 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. . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I remain willing to engage constructively with the Government of Eritrea on urgent human rights concerns. I am also concerned of the imapact of the national serice on the right to educaiton of Eritrean students. Paulos Eyassu, Isaac Mogos, Negede Teklamarium most of all. Last month, witnesses spoke with TheAssociated Press, detailing killings, looting and other abuses committed by Eritrean soldiers in Tigray. 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. That they were released just now and so many of them. She added that some Eritrean soldiers went from door-to-door, killing Tigrayan men and boys as young as 7 years old. Three men, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been in prison for conscientious objection to compulsory military service since 17 September1994. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, approximately 20,000 As of 1 June 2020, HRWF documented 55 cases of Jehovahs Witnesses in its Prisoners Database,[2] 46 men and 9 women. Numerous Jehovahs Witnesses took part in these alternative options under different government administrations. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. We also call for urgent action to arrest the According to reports, four . However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Kate Forbes: Would a Christian be permitted to lead Scotland. ERITREA Our brothers Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam released after more than 26 years in prison. In September 2018, he was baptized as one of Jehovahs Witnesses. 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. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/eritrea/, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2017-0309_EN.html, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/G1914037.pdf, https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Egypt.pdf, https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Eritrea.pdf, Human Rights Without Frontiers International. This was the fir See more This year has really had a lot of unexpected events. a essas acusaes em julgamento. Many of the brothers and sisters who are in the Tigrinja Congeration in Oslo have family who have been prisoned. PaulosEyassu, Isaac Mogos, Negede Teklamarium most of all. 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. 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. Because they will not participate in compulsory military service, Eritrean authorities consider them to be opposed to the regime. unfolding crisis in Tigray, including by imposing arms embargoes on the warring ultimate responsibility for human rights violations that are allegedly being All rights reserved. Registered in England and Wales 5090917, Christian Today, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN, Evangelical church redirects payments after CofE gay blessing vote, Evangelical church pursues alternative oversight after CofE same-sex blessing vote. In Eritrea, the report mentioned that 52 Jehovah's Witnesses were in jail (as mentioned earlier, 28 were released on December 4). 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. 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. 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 experience made a deep impression on this sincere man, and after settling in Norway, he wanted to find out why Jehovahs Witnesses have such strong faith. Ten other men have been in prison for over ten years. Interesting article from the Experiences of Jehovahs Witnesses series. The national service requirements oblige all secondary school students in the country to complete their final year at the Warsai Yekalo Secondary School, located in the Sawa military camp, and to undertake mandatory military training for approximately five months of that year. Now for the rest of our brothers and sister's to come on out!!! The trioidentified as Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariamhave been incarcerated in the East African nation since 1994, after refusing to partake in military service, part of their pacifist beliefs as Jehovah's Witnesses. "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. one in charge of a division or department.". "[We] hope our desire to find a solution will be considered," he said. The trioidentified as Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariamhave been incarcerated in the East African nation since 1994, after refusing to partake in military service, part of their pacifist beliefs as Jehovah's Witnesses. Please click here to learn how. Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam imprisoned without charge or trial. attention from the countrys active role in the ongoing While the releases have been warmly welcomed, there is also speculation that they mark the latest effort by the Eritrean regime to distract international attention from the country's active role in the ongoing war in Ethiopia's Tigray region, where Eritrean troops have been accused of violence which may amount to crimes against humanity, war crimes and possibly genocide. As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years. They were focused on trying to take everything of value, she added, saying that they even stole diapers. 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. 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. https://www.jw.org/en/news/jw/#newsAlerts, Trimis de pe al meu Redmi Note 4 folosind Tapatalk, This so wonderful for our brothers!!!! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In 2018, two Jehovahs Witnesses died after their transfer to the Mai Serwa Prison. Return to homepage. currently accessible; however, in January 2021 satellite imagery revealed that Reports indicate that, in recent weeks, Eritrea has released 70 jailed Christians of evangelical and orthodox who were held in three prisons. I'm so happy about this news that I have a silly smile on my face all day!!! By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. I am in tears . As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years. For more details about imprisoned Jehovahs Witnesses, seehttps://hrwf.eu/prisoners-database/. Afewerkis policy of restrictions is more about his fear that religion will mobilize people as a political force than religion per se. Theshouts of praise and sayings of gratitude to Jehovah from his heavenly and earthly children!! managed to reach Mai Aini, one of the two remaining camps for Eritrean refugees paulos eyasu, isaac mogos and negede teklemariam releasedherramientas usadas para taller paulos eyasu, isaac mogos and negede teklemariam released. Dozens of Christians have been freed from prison in Eritrea after being held for years without charge.. However, 75-year-old Afewerki, the leader of the ruling Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice Party, has the reputation of being an alcoholic and a ruthless autocrat. 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. They refuse to kill or receive training on how to kill. Earlier this year, the United Nations Human Rights Committee asked Eritrea "to release all persons arrested or detained for exercising their freedom of religion, including Jehovahs Witnesses." We call on the I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? 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. Eritrean authorities imprisoned both men in 2008 without charges. Jehovahs Witnesses will continue to inform government officials and others in authority about the situation in Eritrea. ", 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. A number of beliefs and practices of Jehovahs Witnesses have been perceived negatively by the current government. Thanks for your help Tortuga !!! See brochure: SPECIAL REPORT: The Persecution of Jehovahs Witnesses in Eritrea.. The releases also coincide with reports that have emerged consistently since December 2020 of thousands of refugees being forcibly returned to Eritrea from two camps in Tigray, many of whom were allegedly detained. I hope the Eritrean authorities will cooperate with my mandate and I am still awaiting their response. 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. 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. 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. The situation of detainees and political prisoners is particularly concerning. The women were arrested for worshiping in public, a video of which was shared by some on social media, CSW said. Jehovah's Witnesses Imprisoned for Their Faith By Location We lock topics that areover 365 days old, and the last reply made in this topic was 758 days ago. "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. 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. Update: This article has been updated to reflect a clarification from Jehovah's Witnesses spokesperson Gilles Pichaud in his statement. If this is due to COVID-19 ( some news sources indicate others are being released for this reason). What will happen to immigrants admitted through Bidens illegal parole program? the release of these Christians in Eritrea, who were detained without charge or 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. 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. that have emerged consistently since December 2020 of thousands of refugees being The national service requirements oblige all secondary school students in the country to complete their final year at the Warsai Yekalo Secondary School, located in the Sawa military camp, and to undertake mandatory military training for approximately five months of that year. In the context of COVID-19, I call on Eritrean authorities to release those particularly vulnerable, including older detainees and those who are sick. I was speaking with Jehovah, petitioning and giving all the reasons why their trial had to come to an end. ", Pichaud added that while the trio have been pressured to deny their faith in return for freedom, "they are not bitter against the authorities.".