Eritrea releases more than 35 people detained for religious reasons

Eritrean government released more than 30 detainees who were previously detained for membership in unregistered Christian denominations

The good news was given by BBC Tigrinya Service and Release Eritrea. For the UK-based charity specialized in documenting persecution based on religious motives in the country, 35 people were released in total.

"All prisoners (11 women and 24 men) been released on bail from Mai-Sirwa Prison. This group of prisoners had filled out forms agreeing to give up the meetings organized by their respective churches four and a half years ago, "reads a statement released yesterday.

The number of people released is much lower than a previous report that Asmara had released some 400 political prisoners. This information came from local media, Radio Erena. In all this, the government has not yet made an official statement.

The measure could satisfy human rights defenders

"Many of those released are young people and people who are not not identified as leaders of their respective groups and communities. All pastors and closed church leaders remain in high security prisons, including the infamous Karsheli where prominent church leaders have been imprisoned since 2004, "the statement added.

the appeals to Eritrea to urgently improve its human rights situation following the historic peace agreement with Ethiopia. Asmara used the war situation with Ethiopia as the reason for the violation of certain freedoms.

The historic agreement between the two countries was signed after a meeting between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. It was on the occasion of Abiy's visit to Asmara at the beginning of July.

Eritrea reopened its embassy in Ethiopia during Afwerki's visit with Ethiopia appointing an ambassador to Eritrea with plans to reopen embassy in Asmara

Human Rights Watch ( HRW ), an international rights group, stressed the need for both governments to capitalize on the normalization of relations to deepen reforms aimed at respecting the fundamental rights of citizens.

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