For over three decades, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Eritrea have faced persistent persecution, with more than 270 members having been imprisoned and many enduring torture since 1994. Currently, 64 Jehovah’s Witnesses are detained, none of whom have been formally charged or convicted of any crime.
Eritrea is located in the Horn of Africa (Eastern Africa), bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti. The country has 3.5 million in population.
The oppression in Eritrea intensified following an October 25, 1994, decree by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki that revoked citizenship for all Jehovah’s Witnesses in the country. This policy was enacted after the religious group’s refusal to engage in political activities or military service due to their beliefs. Since then, Witnesses have experienced arbitrary arrests, confinement, and severe treatment, affecting hundreds.
The recent release of 32 members between December 2020 and February 2021 offered a glimmer of hope. However, arrests soon resumed, and currently over 60 Witnesses remain imprisoned. In late September 2024, a raid on a peaceful Bible study gathering led to the arrest of 25 individuals, including three elderly members, a pregnant woman, and two minor children. While the children were released, the adults were reportedly sent to Mai Serwa Prison.
Accounts from former detainees reveal brutal conditions in Eritrean prisons. Negede Teklemariam, who was detained for 26 years, described severe physical abuse, forced labor, and witnessing the deaths of fellow prisoners from mistreatment. Four Jehovah’s Witnesses have died in prison, and three more passed away shortly after release due to conditions endured behind bars.
Even those outside prison walls face significant hardships. Without citizenship, many have lost jobs, homes, and freedom to travel. Jehovah’s Witnesses are often harassed for their refusal to support political or military programs, and young members are restricted from completing education, as the government mandates military training for students who wish to graduate.
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Eritrea continue to endure challenging conditions as a result of their religious convictions and the 1994 presidential decree.
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