Amnesty International Makes Appeal for Eritrean Prisoners
Amnesty International urged Eritrea’s president on Tuesday to use the celebration of the nation’s 12th year of independence to release all prisoners of conscience and ensure the fair trial of all other political prisoners.
Amnesty International urged Eritrea’s president on Tuesday to use the celebration of the nation’s 12th year of independence to release all prisoners of conscience and ensure the fair trial of all other political prisoners.
As Eritrea celebrated its 12th year of independence yesterday on May 24, large numbers of prisoners of conscience and other political prisoners – possibly amounting to several thousands – have reportedly been held without charge or trial and without access to friends, family or lawyers.
“Amnesty International urges President Issayas Afewerki to use the occasion of the anniversary of Eritrean independence to release all prisoners of conscience and ensure the fair trial of all other political prisoners,” the New York-based organization stated Tuesday.
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Amongst those prisoners of conscience are six women detained solely on account of their peaceful opinions. According to Amnesty International, none of the women have been allowed to see their children since their arrest and their whereabouts are unknown.
One of the women, 30-year-old Helen Berhane, has reportedly been detained incommunicado since May, 13 2004.
Sources say Berhane, a well-known evangelical church singer who has recorded several music cassettes and is a member of the Rema church, is one of almost 150 women members of banned evangelical churches who have been detained without charge or trial on account of their religious beliefs.
According to Amnesty International, Berhane refused to abandon her faith and religious singing, despite promises of release if she did so. She is reportedly being held at Mai Serwa military camp near Asmara in a metal shipping container with no washing or toilet facilities.
As part of their petition to Eritrea’s president, Amnesty International called for Berhane and the other five women to be given immediate access to their families and their children, and any medical treatment they may require.
