Open Doors comments
Dr Berhane Asmelash trained and worked as a doctor until he became church director and medical projects co-ordinator of the Kale Hiwot Church, Eritrea, in 1994. He was the overseer of fourteen churches and various social projects until his Church sent him to the U.K. to pursue theological study in 1999. The situation in Eritrea meant he was unable to return. He is now director of Release Eritrea, an advocacy group that campaigns for religious freedom in Eritrea, as well as pursuing post-graduate theological study and ministerial training.
Open Doors have regularly reported the extent of persecution in Eritrea, with over 2,000 Christians detained without charge or trial. A police raid on a worship service on Sunday 29 April this year resulted in the arrest of 80 members of the Mehrete Yesus Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Asmara.
Then in May Pastor Michael Abraha was detained during recent dawn raids that targeted the homes of members of the Kale Hiwot Church in the Dekemhare area. He was later released, along with many of those who were arrested with him. However, it was reported that Christians who visited the detainees in the aftermath of the raids were themselves detained and are currently imprisoned in W'ia military training camp.
Yet a senior Eritrean government official recently categorically denied the existence of religious repression in Eritrea. The Director of the Office of the President, Mr. Yemane Gebremeskel, described reports of mass arrests as "distorted and exaggerated" and stated that in Eritrea "people have never been prevented from their right to worship freely". However, he later admitted to the "periodic arrests" of members of "new faiths" who "assemble illegally".
Dr Berhane responded to these comments, saying: "It is unfortunate
that yet again the government of Eritrea has chosen the path of
denial and distortion." Those attending the UNITE event on 29
September will have the opportunity to hear Dr Berhane bring the
latest news of the Church in Eritrea. 
Open Doors supports the Persecuted Church in 45 countries around the world by: training church leaders and Christian workers; supplying Bibles and other Christian resources to Christians who either can't get a Bible or have difficulty; providing practical livelihood training and opportunities; visiting, comforting and encouraging those who are suffering; and raising awareness of the difficulties facing persecuted Christians and mobilising prayer support throughout the western world.
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I visted Asmara, eritrea in May of this year. I was fortunate to attend the Eritrean Evangelical church at Geza Kenisha. The Church was full. People worshiped without any hinderance.
Near where I was staying there was a Catholic Church, who's bells tolled for the faithufull to and worship at 5 am everyday.
The clear crisp morning of Asmara was usally pierced with the call to Prayer by the local Mosques and Churchs.
So where is this repression of religious rights? It is a historical fact that, Africa was conqured in equal measure by the 'missionary' as much as by the soldier.