Christians petition for the release of believers in Eritrea

Eritrea (MNN) — Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors and Release International have submitted a joint petition signed by more than 110,000 people calling for the East African country of Eritrea to free Christians imprisoned for their faith.

Representatives of each group joined together to hand the petition over to officials at the Eritrean embassy in London last week. Around 1,800 Christians have been jailed in Eritrea as a result of their religious affiliations. Reports of hard labor, torture and solitary confinement have followed the government’s May 2002 closure of all churches other than Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran denominations.

Other Christian activity, even within private homes, is illegal with many Christians facing imprisonment and persecution. Even approved church denominations have been subject to state interference despite Eritrea’s official claims that the “no groups or persons are persecuted in Eritrea for their beliefs or religion.”

Pray that Christians will be bold despite the oppression they face each day.