Eritrea: Prisoners of Conscience / Torture or ill-treatment

Index Number: AFR 64/002/2004
Date Published: 9 March 2004
Categories: Africa, Eritrea

Police and security officers arrested Pastor Mengist Tewelde-Medhin, and 55 women, children and men from the Hallelujah Pentecostal Christian church in the capital Asmara on 12 February. They were arrested at a religious service in a private home and most are still being held incommunicado, without charge or trial, in police stations or army camps. They are allegedly being ill-treated or tortured in order to force them to abandon their faith.