Eritrea Refuses Letter Calling For Release of 7 Church Leaders

Police hands letter back to CFI’s rep after Eritrean officials refused it

The Eritrean Embassy in Washington, DC, refused to accept a hand-delivered letter calling for the release of 7 church leaders who are imprisoned with no charges, no court cases, no legal representation, no family visits for over twenty years. The letter was addressed to the Embassy of Eritrea in DC and signed by a dozen organizations and over 60 individuals.=

The letter reminds Eritrean officials of their obligations under international treaties and the Eritrean Constitution. Their constitution stresses the presumption of innocence and that anyone charged with an offense “is entitled to a fair, speedy and public” court hearing, and should not be punished until found guilty by a court. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African charter on Human and Peoples Rights both prohibit arbitrary arrest or detention, and emphasize the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time.

Eritrea, a small country in Africa, is often referred to as the ‘North Korea of Africa’ due to its lack of freedom. The government exerts control over nearly every aspect of life, including religion, forcing many Christians to practice their faith in secret. Many believers are imprisoned or locked in metal shipping containers under the scorching sun.

The 7 Church leaders are:

• Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel — taken in 2004, husband to Elsa, father of four, Chairman of the Eritrean Evangelical Alliance.
• Rev. Haile Naizgi — arrested in 2004, World Vision accountant, husband to Rahel, father of three.
• Rev. Million (Meron) Gebreselassie — arrested in 2004, pastor and anesthetist, leader of Rhema Evangelical Church.
• Dr. Futsum Gebrenegus — arrested in 2004, Eritrea’s only psychiatrist and priest, widowed in prison, father of one son.
• Rev. Dr. Tekleab Menghisteab — abducted in 2004, physician and theologian, husband to Wubie, father of three.
• Rev. Gebremedhin Gebregiorgis — taken in 2004, arrested for teaching Scripture in the local language, widowed in detention, father of three.
• Rev. Pastor Kidane Weldou — arrested in 2005, beloved pastor, husband to Tirhas, father of four daughters.

Demonstrations or prayer campaigns to “Release the 7” were held in London, Switzerland, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Canada, New Zealand, Finland.

The demonstrations were spearheaded by the Religious Liberty Partnership’s Voices for Justice campaign.

Eritrean embassies in at least 3 countries rejected letters signed by citizens in those countries.

Christian Freedom International invited supporters to join in this global campaign by signing onto the letter. If you’d like to receive future alerts like this and to learn how Christian Freedom International aids, equips, and advocates for persecuted Christians, sign up here.

Ella Elwin, CFI’s Cultural Specialist, stated outside the Eritrean embassy:

We’re gathered here today outside the Eritrean Embassy to raise our voices for Christian brothers who are imprisoned simply for their faith.

They weren’t caught committing a crime. They didn’t threaten anyone. Their only offense was to follow Jesus, something so many of us do freely, without fear. But in Eritrea, that simple act of faith can lead to arrest, abuse, and years in prison.

This isn’t new. For years, the Eritrean government has cracked down on Christians especially those who are not part of the few state-approved churches. Hundreds have been arrested. Many are held without trial in inhumane conditions, some in underground prisons, others inside shipping containers exposed to extreme heat during the day and freezing cold at night.

And yet, despite all of this, Eritrean Christians continue to stand firm in their faith. They continue to gather quietly. They continue to pray. They continue to believe that God is with them.

That’s why we’re here. To say to those seven believers you are not forgotten. and we will keep raising our voices until you are free.

To the Eritrean authorities we urge you to release these prisoners of faith. Let them return to their families. Let them worship freely. Religious freedom is not a privilege, it’s a right.

And to everyone here and listening: please keep praying. Keep speaking out. When we show up like today we send a message not just to the government, but to the persecuted church: you are not alone.

We will stand with you. We will pray with you. And we will not stop until justice is done and you are free.