committed with impunity by their respective forces.. The JW's doctrine of political neutrality has led to imprisonment of members who refused conscription. By signing up you will receive news about CSW's work and how you can support it. . isaac mogos and negede teklemariam released . TODAY, December 4, 2020, 26 brothers and 2 sisters in Eritrea were set free after being imprisoned for their faith. ERITREA Our brothers Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam released after more than 26 years in prison. 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. The prisoners had been held between two and 12 years. 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. paulos eyasu, isaac mogos and negede teklemariam releasedAppearance > Menus (619) Patriot (728-7468) lawrence township police department clearfield pa; OPR No: 12689 | Trapper ID No: 64965. Interesting article from the Experiences of Jehovahs Witnesses series. Persecution in Eritrea intensified on October 25, 1994, about a year and a half after Eritrea became an independent country from Ethiopia. [3], Presented to the UN Human Rights Council on 16 May 2019, the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea stated that Jehovahs Witnesses face severe persecution, including denial of citizenship and travel papers, for their political neutrality and conscientious objection to military service. Administrative Office 2525 W. Greenway Rd., Ste. 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. The This is awesome news. They were released after 26 years on February 5th, 2021. Apparently one of the brothers being released. There are currently 52 Jehovah's Witnesses being held without trial in Eritrea, according to the Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information. Citing eyewitnesses he met during a recent visit to Mai Aini, the High Commissioner said many refugees appear to have been "caught in crossfire, abducted and forced to return to Eritrea under duress by Eritrean forces. The majority of the imprisoned male Jehovahs Witnesses are incarcerated indefinitely, with no hope of release until they die or are near death. Prior to enforcing conscription, Eritrean authorities had provided genuine alternatives with civilian service. "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. I cannot imagine how these dear ones will adjust after so long imprisoned. Finally, since my appointment, I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with Eritrean officials. CSW has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical Thank you Jehovah . And when will the authorities release Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, three conscientious . 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 . Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariamhave been incarcerated in the Eritrea since 1994 Why can't the government allow them to take part in an alternative civilian service group to fulfil their obligation? 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. CSW said they were detained without charge or trial, and "should never have been incarcerated". They are now aged 41, 40, and 38 respectively, having spent their youth in confinement. However, this good news must You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN. Acts 5:19 But at night Jehovah's angel opened the prison doors and led them out .Jehovah is in control, and at his appointed time . we are so happy on their behalf and yours. He noted their honesty and that they even shared their food with other prisoners. I am also concerned of the imapact of the national serice on the right to educaiton of Eritrean students. Paulos Eyasu, Negede Teklemariam, and Isaac Mogos are Jehovah's Witnesses and have been imprisoned because of their strongly held religious beliefs. All rights reserved. In Eritrea, the report mentioned that 52 Jehovah's Witnesses were in jail (as mentioned earlier, 28 were released on December 4). Cant wait to hear more about this. 1940s First communities of Jehovah's Witnesses are established in Eritrea. The practice of arbitrary and incommunicado detentions in Eritrea has serious impact on the life of many Eritreans. ultimate responsibility for human rights violations that are allegedly being I have not yet received a response from the Eritrean authorities. 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. 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. And the e re at from a list. Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam members of the Jehovah Witness faith were arrested over 25 years ago for objecting to military service that goes against their religion. currently accessible; however, in January 2021 satellite imagery revealed that refugees from Hitsat and Shimelba camps are currently missing. None of the three have been charged or granted a hearing. I've also been praying for them by first name, when I learned they were imprisoned, for over 20 years at that time. In their August report, the Jehovah's Witnesses called on Eritrea to release the 52 prisoners, grant full citizenship rights to Jehovah's Witnesses, and permit conscientious objection to military service. Currently, our jw.org lists 7 countries by name , and "other lands" , for a total of more than 165 brothers and sisters incarcerated. 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. 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.. 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. ( sort of). More commonly though, they arrested individuals for undisclosed reasons. High Commissioner said many refugees appear to have been caught in crossfire, For years, I prayed for the three brothers in Eritrea who were imprisoned for their faith longer than anyone else in JW history: Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam. On December 4, 2020, 26 brothers and 2 sisters in Eritrea were set free after being imprisoned for their faith. Jehovah's Witnesses Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam were imprisoned in Eritrea since 1994. . Three Jehovah's Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been incarcerated for 25 years. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Jehovah's Witnesses Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam have been imprisoned in Eritrea since 1994. 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. My CO sentit to me. Many of the brothers and sisters who are in the Tigrinja Congeration in Oslo have family who have been prisoned. Since 2006, JWTalk has proved to be a well-moderated online community for realJehovah's Witnesses on the web. 'Jesus Revolution' leaves out the tough stuff but gets the music right, Mark Wahlberg gives lessons on fasting during Lent, Sacked chaplain to appeal after losing employment tribunal case. Turning to the issue of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, there has been no progress. Image copyright: Jehovah's Witnesses Office of Public Information. Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! We believe no one should suffer discrimination, harassment or persecution because of their beliefs. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. They hav, Sorry sister,but did you quote that from Wikipedia or have you actually been exposed to East African culture? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 24 left!!!! [6] United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, Annual Report, USCIRF. 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. "Our families spent the whole evening together. In September 2018, he was baptized as one of Jehovahs Witnesses. Learn about how you can report a human rights violation. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. ", In one case of torture at Sawa, a witness said unsuccessful deserters were tied to a corpse: One had been shot running away, the other two had their hands tied to the feet of the dead person. It's well past the time they were released. Eritreas president, Isaias Afewerki, is a member of the Eritrean Orthodox Church in Asmara belonging to the largest among the only three Christian denominations allowed to function in the country. 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. In a 1994 decree, President Isaias Afwerki revoked Jehovah's Witnesses' citizenship because they remained neutral during the fight for independence, did not participate in the 1993 referendum, and conscientiously objected to military service. I am in tears . Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. 70 Christen mit orthodoxem und evangelischem Hintergrund sind in Eritrea aus dem Gefngnis entlassen worden. international community to press Eritrea for the immediate and unconditional release I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? "Some of those Witnesses have been imprisoned for more than 20 years. Sorry for the Trouble. Since I started my mandate on 1 November 2020, I am monitoring the ongoing Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, which erupted on 4 November 2020, and its impact on the Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers. unfolding crisis in Tigray, including by imposing arms embargoes on the warring Required fields are marked *. In addition, 39 men and 10 women who. UNESCO urges caution over fraudulent African artefacts sold in its name. ", Pichaud added that while the trio have been pressured to deny their faith in return for freedom, "they are not bitter against the authorities.". Among other restrictions, Jehovahs Witnesses are not able to receive a full secular education, own a business, or travel outside of the country. Soon after Eritrea gained independence in 1993, President Isaias Afwerki began a crackdown on religious groups he felt opposed to the state. What will happen to immigrants admitted through Bidens illegal parole program? "[We] hope our desire to find a solution will be considered," he said. With one recent exception, those imprisoned have never had the opportunity to offer a defence in court. Their detention has also proven painful for friends and family, and one described his sorrow at losing his friend a quarter-century ago. 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. Reports indicate that, in recent weeks, Eritrea has released 70 jailed Christians of evangelical and orthodox who were held in three prisons. ( As I have their names memorized)! 25 padziernika 1994 roku prezydent Afewerki wyda dekret, ktry pozbawi wiadkw Jehowy praw obywatelskich, poniewa w roku 1993 nie wzili udziau w referendum . We send them this sms this morning and we are sure you would agree:Dear brothers, how wonderful Jehovah is. Since I started my mandate on 1 November 2020, I am monitoring the ongoing Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, which erupted on 4 November 2020, and its impact on the Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports that the Christians - 70 in total - came from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds, with prison sentences ranging from two to 12 years. They were held at the Sawa military training camp until 2017, when they were transferred to Mai Serwa prison, where they were briefly granted access to visitors for the first time since their imprisonment. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended that the US government: [1] For more religious statistics, see U.S. Department of State, Office of International Religious Freedom, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Report on international Religious Freedom: Eritrea 2018, 2018. https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/eritrea/. Thus, when the Witnesses contacted him, he immediately began to study the Bible with them and to attend their meetings. Four Witness men have died while in prison, and three died after they were released because of the harsh conditions they suffered. Od wielu lat wadze Erytrei bez procesw i aktw oskarenia pod zarzutem dziaalnoci religijnej lub bez podania powodu aresztuj i wtrcaj do wizienia wiadkw Jehowy, w tym kobiety i starcw. Finally to the clandestine world of art fraud and African artefacts, which are being sold to unsuspecting buyers, thanks to the fake UNESCO stamp they . It is reported that approximately 60 to 65 per cent of students at Sawa do not obtain the results needed for further studies and are either drafted directly into military service or sent to vocational training programmes. The prisoners had been held between two and 12 years. I recently spoke with an ex-prisoner that spent a couple of years in Sawa prison with Jehovah's Witnesses (including Isaac, Negede and Paulos). If you want to discuss this subject, we prefer that you start a new topic. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26795&LangID=E, Eritrea one of the least accessible countries for humanitarian organisations, Searches, Arrests, and Tension in Eritrea, Eritreas jailed journalist exhibition opens in UK Parliament, Dispute over Patriach splits Norwegian Orthodox church in two, Twenty one years after being jailed, Eritreas independent journalists are remembered in the British Parliament. Reports indicate that, in recent weeks, Eritrea has released 70 jailed Christians of evangelical and orthodox who were held in three prisons. Statements In Eritrea, the report mentioned that 52 Jehovah's Witnesses were in jail (as mentioned earlier, 28 were released on December 4). in Tigray. I am also concerned about allegations of possible implication of Eritrean troops in cases of serious human rights violations, including acts of abductions, forceful or unvoluntary return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers, and their imprisonment in different prisons in Eritrea. After 19 years in detention, where is Dawit Isaak and when will he be released? 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." "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. . that they mark the latest effort by the Eritrean regime to distract international Jehovahs Witnesses will continue to inform government officials and others in authority about the situation in Eritrea. Prior to independence, Eritrea allowed conscientious objectors to join an alternative civilian service group to fulfill their obligation.The Eritrean constitution, ratified in 1997, officially grants citizens the right to freedom of religion, but it has limitations. Just shows how things can change for the better all of a sudden. They have spent between 5 and26 yearsin prison. They were paraded round the camp in the back of a Toyota pickup truck. In 2018, two Jehovahs Witnesses died after their transfer to the Mai Serwa Prison. Thanks for your help Tortuga !!! It does not store any personal data. That they were released just now and so many of them. 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. 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. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in Eritrea. 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A number of beliefs and practices of Jehovahs Witnesses have been perceived negatively by the current government. Amazing news! of human rights, both within its own borders and now in Tigray. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been informed that 70 Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in Eritrea. Eritrea has been designated a "country of particular concern" by the State Department since 2004 because of its religious freedom abuses. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Loopy Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam were detained on Sept. 17, 1994,apparently because they conscientiously objected to military service, according to a report published in August by the Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information. Is something happening on a global scale that we donot yet know about? Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. 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. One man who tried to escape from a military camp was kept in this position for two weeks, while a soldier who refused an order was tied for four hours. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, approximately 20,000 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. Is it related to the Civilwar in Ethiopia? The freed prisoners include six women who were arrested on a street after worshipping in public.. Human Rights Watch reported this was "the most common torture method noted by former conscripts and detainees, practiced in all the prisons and in Wi'a and Sawa military camps. Paulos Eyassu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, among others, have been imprisoned for over 20 years for their Christian faith. We are a pro-JW community maintained by brothers and sisters around the world. 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. Is this video confirmed ? Esteemed Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved. Is it related to the Civil war in Ethiopia? 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. 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 Such allegations need to be investigated promptly and thoroughly by independent mechanisms. Wouldn't it be thrilling if Jehovah was securing their release because the Great Tribulation was about to start? We call on the women were arrested after worshipping in public as they were walking down a As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years. Like many others imprisoned in Eritrea, detained Jehovahs Witnesses have no legal recourse and so cannot challenge their indefinite detention. I have tears in my eyes while at work. In Eritrea, Jehovahs Witnesses are in prison as conscientious objectors to military service, for holding underground religious meetings or for attempts to share their beliefs with others. 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. 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]. 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 remain willing to engage constructively with the Government of Eritrea on urgent human rights concerns. What is the source ? Return to homepage. In March 2002, the country passed a referendum requiring all religious groups outside of the four largest the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Eritrean Catholic Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea and Sunni Islamto obtain yearly registrations. I urge the Eritrean authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all of those who remain in prison because of their faith or belief. Encouragement for the Worldwide Brotherhood, Breaking News/Eritrea prisoners released (merged), JWTalk - Jehovah's Witnesses Online Community. Four others died in prison and three died after release, reportedly as a result of their treatment. abducted and forced to return to Eritrea under duress by Eritrean forces., CSWs Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: CSW welcomes I hope the Eritrean authorities will cooperate with my mandate and I am still awaiting their response. Most of the prisoners were freed from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, near the capital, Asmara, on 1 February. 144hz monitor stuttering; . The country lacks rule of law, a constitution and an independent judiciary to enforce the protection of and respect for human rights. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. "Some of those Witnesses have been imprisoned for more than 20 years. By She saw trucks being loaded with boxes of looted items that were to be delivered to places in Eritrea. CSW has offices in London, Brussels, Casper WY, Edinburgh, Washington DC and Kaduna. She said their pockets were filled with stolen jewelry and recalled some troops trying on looted clothing. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam imprisoned without charge or trial. It is my honour to present my first oral update to the Council since taking up the role of Special Rapporteur last November 2020. 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. This was the fir See more We lock topics that areover 365 days old, and the last reply made in this topic was 758 days ago. Three men, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been in prison for conscientious objection to compulsory military service since 17 September 1994. On 27 January 2021, six female prisoners detained for worshipping in public in September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. I remain willing to engage constructively with the Government of Eritrea on urgent human rights concerns. "I was with him the night before they arrested him," said Eyasu's friend, who asked for anonymity for protection. There he found himself with three WitnessesPaulos Eyasu, Negede Teklemariam, and Isaac Mogoswho had been incarcerated for their faith since 1994. As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years. On 27 January 2021, six female prisoners detained for worshipping in public in September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. Around 3,000 former residents of Shimelba and Hitsat have reportedly In October last, 69 Christians had been released, apparently due to the Covid, but five more had been arrested.