Eritrean authorities have taken into custody over 100 Christians during the past month in a nation-wide campaign of house-by-house arrests. Detainees are being brutally abused and some may have died as a result.

The report originated with Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and was picked up by BosNewsLife.

Several churches in Eritrea were without their leaders or other believers Sunday, December 21, as a government-backed campaign of mass arrests reached the capital Asmara amid fears several detainees died of mistreatment,  Christians said.
[…]
CSW’s Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert, said in a statement obtained by BosNewsLife that the tensions and the “resumption of mass arrests” are “deeply troubling.” She said CSW is especially concerned about “reports indicating that some detainees may even have died from injures” sustained during mistreatment. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who may now be grieving for friends and family members,” Lambert explained.

It is believed that some 2000 Christians are imprisoned in Eritrea. They are being held without charge in appallingly inhumane conditions.

Possibly related posts

• 19 April 2009 -- Eritrea “turning into a giant prison”
• 10 April 2009 -- Supporters of Eritrean government charge Italian with “disruption”
• 21 January 2009 -- Two more Eritrean Christians die in prison camp
• 27 December 2008 -- Eritrea arrests prominent paediatrician because he’s a Christian

Tags: Eritrea, Persecution
Filed under: Africa, Christianity, Religious Liberty/Persecution
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