Ninety-eight people who had been detained without trial for several years in Eritrea have been released from prisons, relatives of the former detainees have told BBC Tigrigna.
According to the BBC, citing sources in Asmara and abroad, 36 detainees were released on Thursday, including 20 women. Most of those freed are said to be members of evangelical churches, which are banned in Eritrea. A further 17 people were released on Saturday. Another 26 detainees — including 16 women — were freed on 3 December, while 19 people, among them three women, were released on November 18 in the town of Keren. The releases bring the total number of detainees freed so far to 98.
The detainees had been held at military facilities that are widely known for their harsh conditions. The Eritrean authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the releases, and it remains unclear under what conditions the former prisoners were freed or whether others remain in detention.
In May 2002, the Eritrean government banned all religious groups except the Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran churches, as well as Sunni Islam. Authorities subsequently began arresting and imprisoning Christians from banned churches, often holding them in harsh conditions without charge, trial or sentence, and without access to legal counsel.
For more than 30 years, Eritrea has operated as a one-party state without an implemented constitution. The country is among the most heavily militarised in the world, with a system of open-ended national service.
Eritreans chose Isaias to liberate them from “Ethiopian colonialism.” They even called him George Washington (not kidding). Of course, it was all a lie. As recent as 2019, Eritrean leaders were claiming they’ve always been Ethiopian! Guess what, Isaias kept them locked up as a nation and as individual citizens. Thirty-two long years. There’s nothing to show for in terms of economic progress. No constitution, no election, no free press. The irony is that Eritreans still defend Isaias. Hopes and dreams of two generations of Eritreans were stolen from them by Isaias. Think about it for a moment. There has to be some malevolent power operating behind the scenes. Isaias lived and died by deception, war-making, and fear-mongering would be an appropriate epitaph on his tomb.
That is not your business you Mr.landlocked. We love our president. If we say it is enough, We shall replace him with the more Eritrean First mentality President. The door is closed for your landlocked country. We are enjoying our freedom.
when we say we , who are you referring to? is there someone in your pocket?