The Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses in East Africa is making a heartfelt plea to President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, urging him to rescind a 30-year-old decree that stripped their members of their citizenship rights and basic civil liberties.
Since 1994, this decree has rendered Jehovah’s Witnesses stateless, denying them the ability to work, own property or access essential services, including education.
As the community faces severe persecution, their call for justice highlights the urgent need for change in Eritrean society.
The decree, signed by President Afwerki, declared that all Eritrean-born Jehovah’s Witnesses had “revoked their Eritrean citizenship,” a move that effectively eliminated legal protections for alternative civilian service.
The consequences have been dire. Members have been imprisoned without charges, tortured and some have even lost their lives due to their faith.
In a recent special report titled ‘Eritrea: The Life of Jehovah’s Witnesses’, it was said that on September 27, 2024, Eritrean National Security agents arrested 24 Jehovah’s Witnesses during a peaceful worship service.
While two minors were released the next day, the remaining 23 were imprisoned in Mai Serwa without any formal charges or trials, a stark reminder of the community’s ongoing struggles.
“It hurts us deeply to know that so many of our believers have died or spent many years in prisons,” Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kenya national spokesman Victor Karoki told the Star.
Present were Lawyers Associated for Human Rights in Africa advocate Dorothy Angote-Muya, Jehovah’s Witnesses Kenya spokesperson Noah Munyao and Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses in East Africa legal volunteer Wanjiku Waichigo.
Three attempts to get comment from the Eritrean government through calls to the embassy in Nairobi were unsuccessful. This story will be updated should any be forthcoming.
BROADER PERSECUTION
Karoki said the persecution of the community not only affects them but also the broader Eritrean public, as countless young individuals languish in prison rather than contributing positively to society.
Since the decree was enacted, at least 270 Jehovah’s Witnesses, including women and children, have faced imprisonment.
Tragically, seven have died due to the harsh treatment they received, while 64 remain arbitrarily detained, enduring indefinite imprisonment.
Among these individuals is Henok Ghebru, 41, who was imprisoned on January 24, 2005, after refusing to join the military.
He has suffered from severe medical conditions during his incarceration, enduring pain for seven years before finally receiving surgery.
His situation is emblematic of the suffering faced by many Jehovah’s Witnesses in Eritrea, who find themselves persecuted simply for adhering to their beliefs.
Another harrowing story comes from Kdisti Tesfamichael, a 70-year-old woman currently imprisoned without charges.
Her husband, TekleYoab, was jailed for 11 years after he refused to contribute financially for political purposes. Before their imprisonment, the couple owned a shoe-making business, which was forced to close due to relentless persecution by Eritrean authorities.
The oppressive environment has compelled many Jehovah’s Witnesses to flee Eritrea in search of safety. Zewde Negusse, a father who lost his job in 1994, recalls how his wife was fired from her position after 30 years for refusing to compromise her faith.
In 2006, they fled the country, enduring a harrowing escape that involved being smuggled out and facing numerous dangers along the way. “
I had to pay a lot of money to be smuggled out of the country into Sudan, enduring many hours of walking on foot, hungry and with constant threats of snakebites and getting caught by Eritrean authorities,” Zewde recounts.
Despite the risks, he remains resolute in his faith. “I do not regret taking a neutral stand. We must obey God as ruler rather than men.”
Zewde’s longing for home is palpable as he reminisces about the beautiful weather and the community activities he once enjoyed.
He prays for President Afwerki to soften his heart and allow Jehovah’s Witnesses to worship freely, hoping one day the government will recognise their peaceful and law-abiding nature.
PAIN OF SEPARATION
Another poignant story is that of Ruta Gebregzabhier, a single mother of three who fled to Germany. Her daughter Wintana has been imprisoned since 2014 for her faith.
After being picked up during a worship meeting, Ruta fled the country to ensure her family’s safety, leaving her daughter behind.
The emotional toll of separation weighs heavily on her and her remaining children. “If the government believes someone is guilty, they should take them to court and let them be sentenced,” she says. “Even one who has committed murder is brought to court, so why can’t innocent Jehovah’s Witnesses who want to worship God peacefully be accorded the same rights and just treatment?”
Negede Teklemariam spent 26 years in Sawa Prison Camp without charge, where he experienced severe mistreatment and torture. “We were treated harshly by guards in the camp,” he recalls.
The imprisonment deprived him of the chance to build a life, marry or support his ageing parents. The deprivation of freedom has not only impacted his personal life but has also robbed him of the opportunity to worship with fellow believers.
The systematic persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Eritrea has captured the attention of human rights organisations globally.
Reports from the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea have documented the ongoing violations, stating that the government has committed crimes against humanity by targeting Jehovah’s Witnesses since 1991.
Recommendations have been made for the Eritrean government to release imprisoned members of the faith and recognise their right to conscientious objection to military service.
The 2024 Special Report on Eritrea explicitly calls for dialogue between the government and Jehovah’s Witnesses, urging the release of all imprisoned members and the restoration of their citizenship rights.
The report emphasises the need for the Eritrean government to allow Jehovah’s Witnesses to register as a religion and peacefully worship without fear of persecution.
As the Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses in East Africa advocates for their rights, their message is clear: they seek recognition, respect and the freedom to worship as they believe.
The plight of their community serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for human rights in Eritrea, and the call for justice reverberates beyond borders.
In the face of unimaginable hardships, the resilience of Jehovah’s
Witnesses in Eritrea shines through.
Their unwavering faith and commitment to their beliefs highlight
the importance of standing up for
one’s rights and the need for society
to recognise and honour the dignity
of all individuals, regardless of their
religious affiliation.
