Print this pageFor Immediate Release
August 18, 2008
Systematic arrests in Eritrea aggressively target minority faith
ASMARA, Eritrea—In what is the most open attempt in recent history to shut down a minority religion in Eritrea, police have systematically arrested 15 of Jehovah’s Witnesses during July and August. Some of them are presently confirmed to be imprisoned, but the whereabouts of others have not been disclosed.
On Tuesday, July 8, 2008, authorities began conducting raids on the local residences of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Long-time members of the congregations, men in their 50’s, 60’s and even 70’s, were subsequently rounded up in their homes or places of work. In most cases these are the breadwinners for their families.
As of May 2008, there were 21 other Jehovah’s Witnesses in prison in Eritrea. False hopes of progress were raised in May, and again in July, when three of them were released. The events of recent weeks prove that such hope was premature-the number of prisoners has since nearly doubled.
Contact: J. R. Brown, telephone: (718) 560-5600