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Written by Release Eritrea
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Wednesday, 24 May 2006 |
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(London 23-05-06) 54 collage students from Mai Nefhi College in Eritrea have been arrested and are being subjected to harsh punitive measures akin to military punishment for over ten days.
The group comprising 20 male and 30 female students are all evangelical and Pentecostal believers, who refused to take part in activities related to Independence Day celebrations as they felt it was contradictory with the edicts of their evangelical faith. According to news from Eritrea many of them have been told that they would continue to be punished until they agree to participate in the activities. Friends of those imprisoned have asked for prayers on behalf of the youngsters who should be preparing for their exams as opposed to undergoing ‘military punishment’. Dr Berhane Asmelash director of Release-Eritrea said that; ‘this is reminiscent of what used to happen during the Ethiopian communist regime, then many of us were asked to join the singing and dancing troupes known as Kinet locally. On the one hand I am heartened to see that the young people are resisting attempts to undermine their faith on the other hand I am concerned for their safety and well-being’ |
