Holiday Card Action 2008

ERITREA – Patriarch Abune Antonios

Patriarch Antonios, the 80-year-old leader of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, has been held under house arrest since January 2006. There are grave concerns for his health as he has diabetes for which he is not receiving medication.

Faith groups are heavily restricted in Eritrea, and authorities have jailed a large number of people on account of their religious beliefs, including Evangelical Christians, Muslims, and members of the Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Antonios (known to Eritreans as "Abune" Antonios) had resisted government interference in religious affairs and had protested the imprisonment of three Orthodox priests. Amnesty International considers Abune Antonios to be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful expression of his right to freedom of expression and freedom of religion, both of which are guaranteed in the Eritrean Constitution.

In late May 2007, the government announced that they had appointed a new Patriarch, in spite of rules set out by the Orthodox Church which forbids the appointment of a new Patriarch while the previous one is still alive. Following this, Abune Antonios was forcibly removed from his residence, and is now being at an undisclosed location in the capital Asmara.

Please send cards of support to:
Abune Antonios
c/o Ms. Fawzia Hashim
Minister of Justice
The Ministry of Justice
PO Box 241
Asmara
ERITREA