Originally written on 21-05-2005.

Release Eritrea calls on all Eritreans and Friends of Eritrea to join a rally, protesting against religious persecution in Eritrea. The rally which is being jointly sponsored by Release-Eritrea, Christian Solidarity World Wide (CSW) and Christian Concern for Freedom of Conscience (CCFC) is to be held outside the Eritrean Embassy in London, on Thursday 9th of June 2005, at 3:00 pm.

Three years since the closure of all independent Churches not belonging to the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran Churches of Eritrea and amidst concern for hundreds of Christian prisoners of conscience protestors are calling for:

• Unconditional release of all Christian prisoners of conscience including 16 Pastors and Church Leaders, who have been detained illegally by the Government of Eritrea.
• The opening of all Churches and associated organisations forcibly closed since May 2002.

In a statement, Dr. Berhane Asmelash director of release Eritrea said ‘despite promises to complete the registration of churches the situation of church closures hasn’t improved a single bit since May 2002 on the other hand the reported number of Christian prisoners of conscience is at it’s highest ever. We are calling for the unconditional release of all Christian prisoners of conscience and respect for religious freedom in Eritrea.’