by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - A group of forty-four Christians, most of whom are women, have been imprisoned in Eritrea since their arrest for unknown reasons at the beginning of the year, Voice of the Martyrs Canada reports.
According to VOM, the 44 Christians were taken from their homes by government officials earlier this month. The group comprises 39 women and five men. The believers are imprisoned at the Mai Serwa jail outside Eritrea’s capital city of Asmar, but no further information about their arrest is known at this time.
In a website statement about the perilous situation of Christians in Eritrea, the Open Doors persecution watchdog explains many Eritrean believers have been arrested and detained without charge. “Over the years, government security forces have conducted hundreds of house-to-house raids to catch other Christians.”
“There are thought to be 1,000 Christians indefinitely detained in Eritrean prisons, not officially charged with anything,” the Open Doors statement reads. “Some leaders of 'unofficial' churches have been imprisoned in terrible conditions for more than a decade, including solitary confinement in tiny cells.”
Calling for prayer for the persecuted church in Eritrea, VOM requested in its report: “Ask the Lord to especially increase the fortitude and endurance of prisoners facing extremely difficult conditions. May He also work mightily in the hearts and minds of the nation's governing leaders, urging them to recognize and honor the rights of all Eritrean citizens.”
Eritrea ranks 4th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.