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Free Helen Berhane
This much-loved Eritrean gospel singer, 30-year-old Helen Berhane, had just released her latest album when she was arrested in May 2004. She has been held in detention ever since. Her “crime”? Helen refused to give up her faith and music.
Helen is being held at the Mai Serwa army camp. She has spent most of her time in detention in a metal shipping container. Conditions in these containers are horrific: sweltering by day, freezing by night, with no toilet or washing facilities. What’s more, authorities in Eritrea, north-east Africa, are known to torture prisoners, and Christian group like Helen’s have been brutally persecuted – so we are particularly worried about this talented young woman.
‘You will be allowed no visitors, and you will rot here until you sign this paper’. Despite threats like this from a military Commander, Helen continues to refuse to abandon her prohibited faith and music. But concern grows daily for her mental and physical well-being. Denied visitors or legal representation, it is difficult to know the exact state of Helen’s welfare.
Helen is just one of 150 women, jailed without charge or trial, who belong to Christian churches not recognised by the government. Most of their families have no idea where these women – mothers, daughters, wives, sisters – are held, or the condition they are in.
The Eritrean government continues to claim that accusations of religious persecution are ‘groundless’, and that there are not political prisoners in Eritrea. But Helen’s case is not unique: large numbers – possibly several thousand – are held in indefinite detention, without charge or trial. They include political activists, journalists, civil servants, professionals, and members of religious groups.
In response to international pressure the Eritrean government, in April 2004, stated: ‘people are free to worship according to their wish’. But just a few short weeks later, Helen Berhane was arrested and detained for refusing to sign a document pledging to end all participation in Christian activities. Her family have not seen or heard from her since.
You can help, simply clicking on the following link and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Thank you.
www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=10
Free Helen Berhane
This much-loved Eritrean gospel singer, 30-year-old Helen Berhane, had just released her latest album when she was arrested in May 2004. She has been held in detention ever since. Her “crime”? Helen refused to give up her faith and music.
Helen is being held at the Mai Serwa army camp. She has spent most of her time in detention in a metal shipping container. Conditions in these containers are horrific: sweltering by day, freezing by night, with no toilet or washing facilities. What’s more, authorities in Eritrea, north-east Africa, are known to torture prisoners, and Christian group like Helen’s have been brutally persecuted – so we are particularly worried about this talented young woman.
‘You will be allowed no visitors, and you will rot here until you sign this paper’. Despite threats like this from a military Commander, Helen continues to refuse to abandon her prohibited faith and music. But concern grows daily for her mental and physical well-being. Denied visitors or legal representation, it is difficult to know the exact state of Helen’s welfare.
Helen is just one of 150 women, jailed without charge or trial, who belong to Christian churches not recognised by the government. Most of their families have no idea where these women – mothers, daughters, wives, sisters – are held, or the condition they are in.
The Eritrean government continues to claim that accusations of religious persecution are ‘groundless’, and that there are not political prisoners in Eritrea. But Helen’s case is not unique: large numbers – possibly several thousand – are held in indefinite detention, without charge or trial. They include political activists, journalists, civil servants, professionals, and members of religious groups.
In response to international pressure the Eritrean government, in April 2004, stated: ‘people are free to worship according to their wish’. But just a few short weeks later, Helen Berhane was arrested and detained for refusing to sign a document pledging to end all participation in Christian activities. Her family have not seen or heard from her since.
You can help, simply clicking on the following link and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Thank you.
www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=10