Eritrea: Christians Continue to Face Persecution
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
ASMARA, ERITREA (Worthy News)– Religious persecution in Eritrea is at its highest ever and getting even worse, according to World Watch Monitor, the news outlet of Open Doors, a Christian charity that ranked Eritrea 10th on its World Watch List.
This year alone, 191 Christians have already been arrested in the African country as Eritrea lives up to its epithet: “the North Korea of Africa”.
After 2002, Eritrea only recognized several state-sanctioned religions, such as Sunni Islam; this has allowed the government of President Isaias Afewerki to incarcerate up to 3,000 Christians for both political and religious reasons, according to Ecumenical News.
“Any religion that is not willing to come under the control of the government is being persecuted,” said Selem Kidane, the director of Release Eritrea, a UK-based human rights organization. “It’s not just confined to Christians. But in terms of being completely banned, it’s the minority churches that have suffered the most …”
Amnesty International reported in May that there is still “rampant repression” in the country 20 years after it became independent from Ethiopia.
“The government has systematically used arbitrary arrest and detention without charge to crush all opposition, to silence all dissent, and to punish anyone who refuses to comply with the repressive restrictions it places on people’s lives,” said Claire Beston, a researcher for Amnesty International.
People caught trying to illegally leave Eritrea are detained and held in horrible conditions; many are kept in metal shipping containers without ventilation, according to Voice of the Martyrs.
Christians trying to escape from Eritrea are often kidnapped by human traffickers; if their ransoms aren’t paid, they are sold to other criminal groups that in turn ransom them again.
The chairman of the Eritrean Democratic Alliance, Tewelde Gebresilase, said human trafficking has proved to be a lucrative business for Bedouins and local Eritrean officials who are bribed to facilitate the trade.
Source: http://www.worthynews.com/12334-eritrea-christians-continue-to-face-persecution
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).