04 October
Eritrean authorities arrest Pastor Ukbamichael, for the third time in five years.

(London- 02-10-07) Christians in Asmara report their concerns over the arrest of Pastor Unkba –Michael Teklehaymanot, who was taken from his home in Asmara by Eritrean security forces. The father of three, who is in his fifties, is a pastor at kale hiwot church. He has been arrested and subjected to extremely harsh conditions in two previous occasions.

The most recent one of his imprisonments was in January 2005 when he was taken to Sawa Prison Camp where he was detained for 10 months, following his arrest from a wedding that he was conducting in the town of Barentu 230 km from Asmara. He suffered health problems as a result of the extremely difficult conditions in the prison camp. Previously to that he was detained in Asmara following his visit to a local police station where he had gone to enquire the whereabouts of members of his congregation who were arrested from the vicinity of his office

Hurui Ukba-Michael, the youngest son of the pastor is known to also be at Sawa prison, since May 2006 when he too was arrested from Mai- Nefhi college for his refusal to join in the independence day celebrations, on the grounds that the activities he and his fellow Christian students were asked to perform were against their religious convictions. Huruy is believed to be in his early twenties now.

Meanwhile, another church leader Mussie Ezazz, is said to be missing since his arrest, over 10 days ago. Mussie is a leader of a Christian ministry based in Asmara.

Outlining his concern Dr Berhane Asmelash director of Release-Eritrea, stated ‘The harassment and persecution of Eritrean Christians seems to have intensified in recent weeks, increasing number of whole families are victimised, we have heard of this from refugees in Sudan and Ethiopia and it is crucial that the international community realises the magnitude of the devastating impact of religious persecution on an entire family. I am particularly concerned about the re-arrest of Pastor Ukba-Michael, due to his previous difficulties whilst in prison at Sawa, further the family have now lost a father and a son as they both now find themselves languishing in jail, this is indeed devastating news. I also worry about Mr Ezazz and his young family, who have now fallen victims of the ongoing persecution. Let’s all rally behind these families and the 2,000 others suffering in the same manner’.
posted at 2:39:09 AM on 10/4/2007 by cs - Category: General
Comments

selam wrote:
simona...but don't you think people like Huruy Okbamichael should have a right to celebrate how they want to celebrate? why should a young man be in prison for 18 mths because he refused to celebrate in a style that others wanted him to celebrate? what crime did he commit?
10/8/2007 1:58:34 AM
simona hentsa wrote:
my prayers go out to his family and close friends but eritreans who have his religion need to know that god did not tell them to not rejoice and be happy for what they worked hard to achieve. Eritreans had no help watsoever when they were fighting for there independence. They sacrficed alot for this country so future eritrean children did not have to suffer. Beacause of that we need to be thankfull and thank god for protecting us and watching over us. Therefore we, fellow eritreans need to celebrat and not only cry because of there loss but be thankful that there loss is what gave us our independece we have today. I know that some eritreans think they can not dance because god says its the sign of evil but its not. When jesus went to a wedding he danced along with the bride and groom. I have to say, you think your doing somthin right by not celebrating for your independence but you celebrate and rejoice because jesus died on the cross for all of us and to thank god for helping us through our struggle we have to be able to celebrate with other eritreans.
10/6/2007 1:53:45 PM
Peace wrote:
My prayer goes to the family of pastor of ukbamicheal. I am wondering when this hardship and betray would over. Hope one day this distrubing situation will be over once and for all. Eritreans deserve a good government with accountabilty.
10/4/2007 4:07:48 PM
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