On 15 May 2002, the Government of Eritrea effectively banned all churches except those belonging to the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations and initiated a campaign of mass arrests that continues to this day with varying degrees of intensity. Well over 2,000 Christians are currently detained in Eritrea without charge or trial, often in life threatening conditions, pending denial of their faith.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) joined members of the Eritrean diaspora, the Orthodox Church and six NGOs from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland yesterday in a protest vigil outside the Eritrean Embassy in London marking the eleventh anniversary of the imposition of severe restrictions on churches in Eritrea.
On 15 May 2002, the Government of Eritrea effectively banned all churches except those belonging to the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations and initiated a campaign of mass arrests that continues to this day with varying degrees of intensity. Well over 2,000 Christians are currently detained in Eritrea without charge or trial, often in life threatening conditions, pending denial of their faith.
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Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) renews its call for an end to human rights violations in Eritrea, including the abuse of freedom of religion or belief, ahead of the eleventh anniversary of a government crackdown on all but three Christian denominations and the start of mass detentions of Eritrean Christians. On 15 May 2002, all churches except those belonging to the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations were effectively banned and the era of mass arrests of Christians began. Over 2,000 Christians are currently detained in Eritrea without charge or trial, often in life threatening conditions pending denial of their faith. A man’s sex change has been affirmed in a Church of England service, said to be the first of its kind. The transsexual man, who is known as Susan Musgrove, 60, underwent surgery last year and has now been publicly blessed as a woman at St. Andrew’s Church in Northumberland. The curate of Musgrove's church designed an affirmation liturgy for the service after it received the go-ahead from the bishop of Newcastle. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office noted in their 2012 report, Case study: Egypt – post-revolution, that though there were a number of improvements in the human rights situation in Egypt throughout 2012, “issues of concern remain.” The most significant improvement noted was the handover of power from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to the democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, after presidential elections took place in June. Topping the list of concerns were women’s rights, freedom of religion and freedom of expression. British Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt issued a statement Monday, 8 April, “strongly” condemning the violence witnessed in front of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Abbassiya, Cairo. “I strongly condemn the violent clashes that occurred outside Cairo’s St Mark's Coptic Cathedral on 7 April, leaving at least one person dead and many others injured,” the minister said. “I offer my condolences to the families of the victims, and urge all to show restraint.” “Freedom of religion and belief is a vital component of a democratic society, and it is important that individuals are able to visit their places of worship safely and peacefully. And that security forces act effectively to protect them.” “We welcome the news that there will be an investigation into the incident,” Burt added. He calls himself “the fan who joined the band.” Chief Superintendent John Sutherland is championing a charismatic mission to some of London’s toughest neighborhoods. A longtime admirer of the Eden Network, a group of youth ministries operated by the Message Trust in Manchester, Sutherland has recently become chairman of this social action organization, which appoints youth and community workers to live and work in deprived housing projects. UK Parliamentarians Call for UN Commission of Inquiry into Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea1/22/2013 Members of the House of Lords debated the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in North Korea yesterday, and called on the United Kingdom to support proposals for an international inquiry into crimes against humanity in North Korea.
The debate, introduced by Lord Alton of Liverpool, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea, included a detailed discussion of North Korea’s human rights record highlighting, among other violations, systematic persecution of Christians and other abuses of freedom of religion or belief, as well as executions, forced abortions and torture. Judgment in the cases of four UK Christians will be handed down at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg at 09:00 GMT (04:00 EST) on Tuesday 15th January 2013.
The cases are being carefully watched across the world. Of particular interest will be the interpretation of how the very strong provision for 'freedom of thought, conscience and religion' under Article 9 translates into practical protections in diverse European societies. On Human Rights Day, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) welcomes the increased global attention on the right to freedom of religion or belief in the past year, and encourages the international community to translate this into action to protect and promote this universal human right.
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Walter Blackwood
Associate Pastor with The Bridge Community of Faith in Kelowna BC Canada. Archives
May 2017
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