Although the tiny East African nation of Eritrea has a population of
just 6 million, Eritrea is one of the leading sources of refugees in
Europe. There are many reasons for this, but chief among them is a lack
of religious freedom.
The Eritrean government outlawed worship outside of Islam and the
Orthodox, Evangelical Lutheran and Roman Catholic Church in 2002,
driving all other Christian churches underground as they faced varying
degrees of restrictions and attacks. Since then, thousands of Christians
have been arrested and incarcerated without benefitting from a legal
process. Among them are a number of prominent church leaders arrested in
2004, who remain incarcerated today, almost 12 years later. World Watch
Monitor spoke with the family of one of these prisoners.
Haile Naigzhi.Haile Naigzhi, leader of Eritrea’s Full Gospel Church,
was arrested during the early hours of 23 May, 2004. He was taken from
his home to Police Station #1 in Asmara, then moved to Wongel Mermera – a
dungeon-like prison in Asmara, where he still resides, alongside at
least five other prominent church leaders (see list below). They have
little hope of release any time soon.
For years following Naigzhi’s arrest, his wife and three children
(names withheld to protect their identity) waited for his release. In
2013, his wife received credible information that the government wanted
to arrest her and the children, so she decided to flee.
As World Watch Monitor reported
last year, the journey out of Eritrea is fraught with danger. Movement
in Eritrea is heavily controlled through an internal travel-pass system
and checkpoints; anyone trying to cross the border can be shot on sight.
If you make it past those first two hurdles, you reach the desert,
exposed to the unforgiving elements and lawless human traffickers.
Whatever destination you aim for after that could see you either
crossing the Mediterranean on a rickety boat or dodging deportation from
African countries with diplomatic and ideological ties to the Eritrean
government.
World Watch Monitor cannot divulge the details of the Naigzhi family’s
journey, nor where they ended up, but today they are settled in a new
country, where they have been granted asylum.
“We feel safer here,” said Naigzhi’s wife. “We are able to freely serve
God. I am also happy because the children are in a good school.”
But their 19-year-old daughter misses home. “Ever since we left our
country, things have dramatically changed in a way we didn’t know they
would. I knew the moment we left that we would have an uphill battle
until we are able one day to go back home again. And it was all true.”
Naigzhi’s wife added: “I miss my husband dearly. It is very lonely for me.”
Their eldest daughter last saw her father when she was seven, whereas
the youngest son (13) does not remember a time when they were all
together.
The other boy, 17, last saw his father when he was five and confessed to also feeling homesick.
“I miss home, I miss my friends, and I miss our house,” he said.
“It is difficult, but we hold on to Jesus,” said Naigzhi’s wife.
Her daughter added: “We learnt that having a ‘bed-of-roses’ kind of
life on earth is not actually God’s number one plan for us, but that
everything we face in this world shapes our spirits into the beautiful
spirit the Lord wishes to see in us. I am happy in every way and most
especially to be the daughter of the Most High God. I am also happy to
be the daughter of a prisoner for Christ. He is the best dad ever! God
will make things perfect one day, and I trust Him with all my heart. He
is faithful to keep His word.”
Eritrea is No. 3 on Open Doors’ 2016 World Watch List, which ranks the
50 countries in which it is most difficult to live as a Christian.
No-one knows for certain how many Christians remain in the elaborate
network of incarceration centres in Eritrea. Although there seems to
have been a lull in arrests, pressure remains high on Christians and on
society in general. Thousands are still intent on fleeing the country,
the majority aiming for Europe. Hundreds have died trying.
Incarcerated church leaders
Abune Antonios
Head of the Orthodox Church, removed from his position in 2007 after
criticising the Eritrean government for interference in church
activities. Two priests accompanied by government security agents
entered the Patriarch's residence and confiscated his personal
pontifical insignia. He was replaced by Abune Dioskoros – a development
orchestrated by the Eritrean government. Patriarch Antonios, who has
never been charged with any offence, remains under house arrest and
strict state surveillance.
Ogbamichael Teklehaimanot
Senior pastor of the Kale Hiwot Church. Arrested for participating in a
Protestant wedding ceremony in Barentu on 9 January, 2005. Taken to
Asmara Police Station No. 5, then subjected to 10 months of solitary
confinement and hard labour at Sawa military camp. Released after six
years, then re-arrested six months later, after a fleeing church member,
who was being monitored, called him. Now back in prison in Barentu,
where he has been for 11 years in total.
Kidane Weldou
Senior pastor of the Full Gospel Church and member of the executive
committee of Gideons International in Eritrea. When his vehicle was
found abandoned in 2005, his wife and four children assumed he had been
arrested. Believed to be in Wongel Mermera prison.
Haile Naigzhi
Leader of Eritrea’s Full Gospel Church, arrested at his home during the
early hours of 23 May, 2004, and taken to Police Station #1 in Asmara.
Kiflu Gebremeskel.Kiflu Gebremeskel
Founder and senior pastor of Southwest Full Gospel Church, and member
of the executive committee to the Full Gospel Church of Eritrea. Before
he became a full-time pastor, Dr. Gebremeskel was also a mathematics
lecturer and until 1999 was department and faculty head at the
University of Asmara. Has a Ph.D. in mathematics from Chicago
University. Taken from his home in Asmara Gejeret in May 2004. Wife and
four children have not been able to visit him.
Meron Gebreselasie
Anaesthetist and pastor of Massawa Rhema Church. Arrested on 3 June,
2004, five days after another pastor, Tesfasion Hagos (who has since
been released and granted asylum in another country), visited his church
and home. Arrested at a police checkpoint just before entering Asmara,
as he was returning Pastor Hagos’ belongings to his home. Taken to the
2nd Police Station, where he was held for about two months, before being
relocated to Wongel Mermera, where he remains. Unmarried.
Futsum Gebrenegus
Eritrea's only psychiatrist. Also served as an Orthodox priest.
Arrested in Nov. 2004 for allegedly being involved in the renewal
movement within the Orthodox Church.
Gebremedhin Gebregiorsis
Expert theologian and Orthodox priest also arrested in Nov. 2004 for
allegedly being involved in the renewal movement within the Orthodox
Church.
Tekleab Menghisteab
Doctor and Orthodox priest also arrested in Nov. 2004 for alleged
involvement in the renewal movement within the Orthodox Church.
Courtesy: World Watch Monitor
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