Release International

Joint petition to Eritrean embassy highlights plight of jailed Christians

More than 100,000 people have signed a petition calling on Eritrea to free Christians imprisoned for their faith. Some have been locked away in metal shipping containers in the searing heat of the desert.

The petition was handed in to the Eritrean Embassy in London by representatives from Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors and Release International - organisations serving the persecuted church, working together to demonstrate the strength of concern of Christians in the UK.

Around 1800 Christians have been locked away by the military regime in Eritrea, which mistakenly associates Evangelical Christianity with political dissent. 110,000 people have signed the petition calling on Eritrea to set them free.

'Together we called on the Eritrean Ambassador to take urgent steps to release the Christians,' said Release International's Chief Executive Andy Dipper. 'We want him to make Eritrea aware of the strength of feeling in the UK and ask his government to investigate the plight of Christians imprisoned in his country for their faith.'

Eritrean Christians who fled to a refugee camp in neighbouring Ethiopia have described being beaten and tortured. Some had been sentenced to hard labour or held underground in total darkness for days.

Eritrea has closed Evangelical churches and is keeping known Christians under close surveillance. Many have been ordered to sign a letter recanting their faith.

Some refugees were forced to leave their wives and children behind - and fear reprisals will be taken out against them. The alternative would have been to face indefinite detention.

Despite this open persecution, the government has claimed 'no groups or persons are persecuted in Eritrea for their beliefs or religion'. As increasing evidence comes to light, such claims are now more difficult to make.

'Release International, Open Doors and CSW share a deep concern for the persecuted church. Working together means we can have an even greater impact,' says Andy Dipper.

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