EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/539

(2004/C 88 E/0551)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0815/04

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 March 2004)

Subject: The mass detention of Eritrean evangelical Christians

Is the Commission aware of the persecution which is taking place in Eritrea towards evangelical Christians? In a recent crackdown by the Eritrean authorities 51 evangelical Christians were arrested, this brings the total to an estimated 347 citizens arrested and imprisoned across nine locations in Eritrea because of their religious beliefs.

In Eritrea only Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Muslim faiths are recognised as official religions, all others are ‘illegal’. Subsequently, since May 2002 all Eritrean evangelical churches have been forced to shut and the meeting for worship in public places and even private homes has been banned. In keeping with the European Union's belief that the freedom to practice peacefully ones religion without persecution is a fundamental universal human right, it is clear that the Eritrean Government are in gross breach of those human rights.

What action does the Commission propose to take to ensure the release of all 347 Eritrean religious prisoners? Furthermore, what actions can it take to create greater tolerance towards different religions in Eritrea and the removal of the ban on all so-called unofficial religions?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2004)

The Commission is aware that persecution based on religious belief is taking place in Eritrea. It recalls that the Eritrean Constitution provides for freedom of religion. However, the Government restricts this right in practice. Only the four government-sanctioned religious groups in the country — Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Catholics, and members of the Evangelical Church of Eritrea (which is affiliated with the Lutheran World Federation) — are allowed to meet freely.

In May 2002, the Minister of Information issued a decree that all religious groups should be registered, however this did not apply for the four sanctioned groups. Other groups were warned that, until the registration applications were approved, no religious activities or services could be held. No authorizations have been granted so far.

Since then, according to various reports received, persecution has intensified. The Government harassed, arrested, and detained members of non-sanctioned Protestant religious groups locally referred to collectively as ‘Pentes’, reform movements from and within the Coptic Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, and adherents of the Baha'i Faith. The reports mention that on occasion police physically mistreated those detained, and that some detainees were required to sign statements repudiating their faith or agreeing not to practice it as a condition for release. Reportedly, these events involved hundreds of individuals.

Members of Jehovah's Witnesses seem to be particularly targeted, because of their refusal to perform duties under the National Service. Many were evicted from or not allowed to occupy government-owned housing, denied passports and exit visas and some had their identity cards refused or revoked. At the end of 2003, an estimated 11 members of Jehovah's Witnesses reportedly remained in detention without charge. National service is compulsory in Eritrea for all males between 18 and 45 and all females between 18 and 28 and the Government does not provide non-military alternatives.

The Commission agrees that the above constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights and, in coordination with Member States, closely follows developments. This issue will be discussed in the framework of the political dialogue foreseen by Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement. The dialogue restarted in 2003, after a period of suspension following the crackdown on political opposition and the media at the end of 2001. During a first phase it proved to be difficult to table the sensitive political issues. However, a second phase is about to start. The European Union has been assured that it will be possible to discuss civil, political, religious, economic, social and cultural rights.