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US State Department Condemns Eritrean Regime’s Abuse of Christians

Washington D.C. - The US State Department has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the Eritrean regime’s egregious human rights abuses and religious persecution, particularly against Christians who do not belong to three recognized denominations.

Background

According to Amnesty International, up to 3,000 Christians from unregistered church groups were detained in 2011. Between 2002 and 2011, many churches were closed, and tens of thousands of Christians fled the country. The regime has used state-owned media to spread propaganda, claiming that suppressed Christian groups were receiving funding from the CIA to destabilize the government.

Abuses Against Christians

The statement highlights the regime’s use of anti-Christian policies as a pretext for arresting suspected Christians and holding them in prisons, unofficial detention centers, and military barracks in exchange for ransom. This abuse has created an environment of corruption, with ruling-party politicians and military officials using their power to extort bribes from families seeking the release of loved ones.

Lack of Efforts to Combat Corruption

The US State Department also expressed concern over the lack of efforts by the Eritrean government to combat corruption. The regime has been accused of using anti-corruption rhetoric as a smokescreen for political repression, with no meaningful reforms or investigations into cases of corruption.

Failure to Ratify International Conventions

Eritrea is one of the few countries that has not ratified or signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption. This lack of commitment to combating corruption has created an environment in which government officials and ruling-party politicians can engage in widespread abuse of power and embezzlement of public funds.

Call to Action

The US State Department’s statement comes as a wake-up call for the international community to take action against Eritrea’s egregious human rights abuses and religious persecution. The regime’s actions are not only a violation of basic human rights but also undermine the rule of law and stability in the region.

Sources:

• Amnesty International
• Transparency International
• US State Department
• Bertelsmann Stiftung

Contact: [Name], US State Department, Washington D.C.