Another imprisoned Christian in Eritrea has been martyred.
Voice of the Martyrs' Canada's Bernie Daniel says, "Nigsti Haile, aged 33, was tortured to death by Eritrean authorities in the Wi'a Military Training center in Massawa." She died September 5 after refusing to sign a letter recanting her faith, according to a report from Open Doors USA.
Haile, an active member of the Rhema church, was one of ten Christian women who were arrested at a church gathering in Keren eighteen months ago and who have been under severe pressure to deny Christ.
The reported killing of Haile was expected to underscore international concern about reports of persecution of Eritrean Christians. "During the past year, at least four Christians have died from physical mistreatment while under arrest," Open Doors explained.
Bernie Daniel is a former church leader from Eritrea, now serving with Voice of the Martyrs' Canada. Because the church community is small and closely knit, Daniels says the connections between believers is very tight. Each arrest grieves others and sends them to prayer. "Pray fervently for our God to comfort those who are mourning for Nigsti and also for God to embolden Christians."
According to several human rights groups and church sources, at least 2,000 predominately Christian evangelicals are detained in Eritrean prisons, police stations, military camps and other facilities, including shipping containers.
In May 2002, the government banned all independent churches, closing their buildings and preventing them from even meeting together in private homes. That also led to mass arrests. Many of those taken into custody have remained imprisoned without charges, legal council or contact with family.
However, the Eritrean government has denied human rights abuses. That's prompted a petition by the European Center for Law and Justice to the United Nations. They're asking the U.N. to address the growing problem of forced religious conversions around the world.
Daniel asks people to "Pray that God will embolden Eritrean Christians to follow in her example of faithfulness at all cost."
Voice of the Martyrs' Canada continues to reach into the region with radio. Says Daniels, "We've also some radio broadcasts containing timely, relevant messages on how we can be broadcast messengers of our Christ-centered Gospel in a very trying and really suffering environment."
Pray for the safety of the 2000 Christian believers still being detained in Eritrea without legal counsel or trial.
