Eritrea

In May 2002 all religious groups (other than Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran or Islam) were outlawed. Since then many believers have been arrested and tortured. Last year at least three died as a result. In October 2008 a campaign of mass arrests brought the number held in police stations, military camps, metal shipping containers and jails to nearly 3,000. None have been charged officially or given access to judicial process.

Examples of Persecution:

• Eritrean security arrested 15 believers, all men in military service, who were attending an unregistered evangelical Christian gathering in November 2010
• In 2010, a lady was shot dead while trying to escape from Sawa Military Training Centre, where she had been incarcerated in a metal shipping container for the past two years

Open Doors is: proving practical support to believers in Eritrea in any way we can

Please Pray:

• For comfort and provision for the families of prisoners, many of whom have had no news of their loved ones for months or years
• That all those in prison will know God's hope, peace and grace as they long for freedom
• For church members now leading congregations following the arrest of their pastors to be wise and strong.