Clampdown on Christians in Eritrea

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has called on the Human Rights Council (HRC) for support.

CSW works to defend rights to freedom of religion in over 20 different countries and seeks to draw attention to the crimes against humanity that are being committed in East Africa.

According to the group, all across Eritrea, Christians have been forced from their homes, arrested and sent to detention camps, leaving many children without parents.

Last month, over 60 Christians were rounded up in the Godaif District, Asmara alone. Following the events, Christians in Eritrea have fled to safer areas and others have begun periods of prayer and fasting for peace and safety.

CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: "These arrests signify a renewed intensity in the crackdown that has been ongoing since 2002, and are a clear indication that the severe repression of freedom of religion or belief continues unabated in Eritrea.

"In her latest report, the Special Rapporteur noted that Eritrea has ignored the bulk of recommendations from her previous reports, while those made by the Commission of Inquiry have gone unheeded.

"In view of the continuing violations and lack of cooperation, we call on the HRC to support the renewal of the Special Rapporteur's mandate, and also to urge the international community to ensure that perpetrators of crimes against humanity are held accountable, including through universal jurisdiction, whenever this is appropriate."

ehrea