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Eritrean Regime Continues to Crackdown on Christians, Refugees

Persecution of Religious Minorities Intensifies in 2023

Asmara, Eritrea - The Eritrean government has continued its brutal crackdown on religious minorities and refugees in 2023, with reports of arbitrary arrests, imprisonment, and forced returns.

Jehovah’s Witnesses Still Detained

According to sources, the regime revoked citizenship from Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1994, imprisoning many for refusing to vote in the independence referendum and objecting to military service. To this day, 36 members of the faith remain in detention.

Leaders of Recognized Denominations Not Spared

Even leaders of recognized denominations have not been spared. In late 2022, three Catholic priests, including a bishop who called for peace in Tigray, were held captive for over two months. Throughout the year, new arrests of Christians were reported, with:

  • 44 people detained during religious services
  • 103 people held in April

UN Special Rapporteur Expresses Concern

The UN special rapporteur on Eritrea expressed concern about the detention of 44 Orthodox monks, supporters of the late patriarch Abune Antonios, in April. A Pentecostal church leader died in custody after a decade of imprisonment, with his burial denied to his relatives.

Continued Detention and Persecution

While some Christians were released from Mai Serwa prison in the first quarter of the year, many others remain behind bars. International human rights groups are calling for an end to the persecution and release of all those detained for their faith.

Eritrean Refugees and Asylum Seekers Face Risks

Meanwhile, Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers continue to face significant risks as they flee the country. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), there are over 580,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers globally, with many facing:

  • Pushbacks
  • Forced returns
  • Threats to their safety in countries such as Ethiopia, Israel, South Sudan, and Sudan

Forcible Returns and Abductions

In a disturbing trend, Eritrean authorities have been accused of forcibly returning asylum seekers to the country, where they face serious risks of persecution or human rights violations. In some cases, asylum seekers have reported being abducted and returned by Eritrean security forces in countries such as Sudan.

International Condemnation

Key international actors have condemned the Eritrean regime’s actions, with:

  • The US renewing an executive order related to the crisis in Ethiopia
  • Imposing sanctions on General Filipos Woldeyohannes for serious human rights abuses
  • The European Union maintaining individual sanctions against Maj. Gen. Abraha Kassa for his role in human rights abuses

International Pressure Mounts

As Eritrea celebrates 30 years of independence, international pressure is mounting for the regime to respect the rights of its citizens and protect those fleeing persecution.