Helen Berhane - Eritrea

UPDATE: GOOD NEWS - 3 November 2006

Amnesty International welcomes the release a few days ago of Eritrean gospel singer Helen Berhane, who had been detained incommunicado without charge or trial for two and a half years at Mai Serwa military camp.

Helen Berhane was among 2,000 detained members of banned evangelical churches in Eritrea, including her own Rema church, which has been subjected to sustained persecution by the Eritrean government in the last four years. She spent most of her detention in inhuman and degrading conditions inside a metal shipping container which was used as a prison cell. The authorities reportedly tortured her many times to make her recant her faith. In October 2006, she was admitted to hospital in Asmara as a result of new beatings. She was released in late October but is said to be confined to a wheelchair due to the injuries she sustained to her feet and legs. She refused to abandon her faith despite the threats and ill-treatment.

Many thanks to all those who have taken action on this case. No further action for Helen Berhane is required at this time.

Amnesty International urges the Government of Eritrea to respect its Constitution and its obligations under international law to respect freedom of religion and freedom against arbitrary and incommunicado detention, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of prisoners.

Notwithstanding Helen Berhane's release, Amnesty International remains concerned that the systematic persecution of people on the basis of their religion continues unabated in Eritrea.

Read the full Amnesty public statement

Helen Berhane, 30, is a well known gospel singer in Eritrea, particularly popular with young people. On 13 May 2004, shortly after she released an album of Christian music, Helen was arrested when she refused to sign a document pledging to end all participation in Christian activities, effectively forcing her to abandon her prohibited evangelical faith and music.Since this date Helen has been detained at Mai Serwa military camp, north of the capital Asmara. Helen has spent most of her time in detention in a metal shipping container, suffocating hot during the day and freezing cold at night.

Background

Despite promises of release if she abandons her faith and religious singing, Helen has persistently refused to do so.

Helen is a member of the Rema church, one of several minority Christian churches not officially recognized by the state of Eritrea. She is one of almost 150 women members of banned evangelical churches who have been detained without charge or trial on account of their religious beliefs.
In May 2002 the government of Eritrea ordered the closure of all churches except those representing four recognised faiths - Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran and Islam.

This followed the establishment of a compulsory registration scheme for all religious organisations under the Department for Religious Affairs. Though minority churches were reportedly willing to comply with these demands the process was fraught with difficulties and so most were unable to do so. Arrests of members of unauthorised minority religions followed, including many children.

Amnesty International is concerned for Helen Berhane's welfare and is calling for her immediate and unconditional release as a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of religion.

UPDATE: GOOD NEWS - 3 November 2006

Amnesty International welcomes the release a few days ago of Eritrean gospel singer Helen Berhane, who had been detained incommunicado without charge or trial for two and a half years at Mai Serwa military camp.

Helen Berhane was among 2,000 detained members of banned evangelical churches in Eritrea, including her own Rema church, which has been subjected to sustained persecution by the Eritrean government in the last four years. She spent most of her detention in inhuman and degrading conditions inside a metal shipping container which was used as a prison cell. The authorities reportedly tortured her many times to make her recant her faith. In October 2006, she was admitted to hospital in Asmara as a result of new beatings. She was released in late October but is said to be confined to a wheelchair due to the injuries she sustained to her feet and legs. She refused to abandon her faith despite the threats and ill-treatment.

Many thanks to all those who have taken action on this case. No further action for Helen Berhane is required at this time.

Amnesty International urges the Government of Eritrea to respect its Constitution and its obligations under international law to respect freedom of religion and freedom against arbitrary and incommunicado detention, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of prisoners.

Notwithstanding Helen Berhane's release, Amnesty International remains concerned that the systematic persecution of people on the basis of their religion continues unabated in Eritrea.

Read the full Amnesty public statement

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