“The LORD will take up their case.”
A worldwide campaign has begun calling for the release of seven Christian leaders who have been imprisoned for more than 20 years without trial by the Eritrean government. The Voices for Justice campaign was launched on August 22, the United Nations’ International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
Peaceful protests were held in Washington D.C., London, and Geneva, while online prayer meetings took place in Sri Lanka and Brazil. In more than 15 countries—including Finland, Nigeria, and Poland—various solidarity events were organised.
The imprisoned leaders are Rev. Gebremedhin Gebregiorgis, Dr. Futsum Gebrenegus, Rev. Dr. Tekleab Menghisteab, Rev. Haile Naizge, Dr. Kuflu Gebremeskel, Rev. Million Gebreselassie, and Pastor Kidane Weldou. All are being held at the notorious Wengel Mermera Criminal Investigation Centre in Asmara, without charges, trial, or access to legal counsel.
Three of them, priests from Medhane Alem Church, have been in prison since 2004. Dr. Gebrenegus lost both his wife and father while imprisoned, and Pastor Gebregiorgis’ wife died of cancer in 2022, leaving three children behind. Dr. Menghisteab, a respected physician at St. Mary’s Psychiatric Hospital in Asmara, was arrested in 2003; his wife and daughters later fled abroad for safety.
According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), their prison conditions are “extremely harsh and inhumane.” Several human rights organisations—including 21 Wilberforce, Christian Freedom International, Set My People Free, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Jubilee Campaign, Church in Chains, and Open Doors International—are supporting the campaign.
USCIRF’s 2025 annual report notes that Eritrea’s population of 6.3 million is about 51% Sunni Muslim, 41% Eritrean Orthodox, and 5% Roman Catholic. Protestants, non-religious people, atheists, followers of indigenous religions, Shi’a Muslims, and Baha’is together account for less than 5% of the population.(Source: Christian Today, Edited version)
Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life. (Proverbs 22:22-23,NIV)
God, thank You for bringing people around the world together to pray and speak out for the release of church leaders who have suffered in prison for more than 20 years without seeing their families. Please stop the Eritrean government’s persecution of the church and break the evil plans of Satan. We place in Your hands the safety of all those in prison and their families who suffer only because they follow Christ. Lord, give them freedom and lead them into deep fellowship with You, the living God, as they seek Your righteousness.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
