Originally written on 23-02-2005.

Release Eritrea outlines its concern over the detention of children between the ages of 2 and 18 whilst they were attending bible study classes on Saturday 19th Feb 2005. 131 children and their teachers (mostly young people themselves) were detained from the Eritrean Orthodox Church Medhanialem in Asmara.

Whilst those who were under the age of fourteen were released later on that day with instructions to return to the police station on Monday, those who were over fourteen and all the teachers remained incarcerated until yesterday evening. Concern in mounting for the welfare of the youngster and particularly for their teachers who may be subjected to harsher treatments as leaders of the group.

Many of the parents whose children were detained refused the order to accompany them back to the police stations and hence didn’t go back on Monday as they were ordered to do so.

The trend of subjecting underage children to such treatment is something that shouldn’t be tolerated by any one list of all by fellow Eritreans, we call on all Eritreans and friends of Eritrea to denounce these actions.