DAR AL HARB - U.K.: GREAT BRITAIN LIES BY OMISSION ABOUT PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS

Britain Downplays Persecution Of Eritrean Christians, Investigators Say

ASMARA/LONDON (BosNewsLife)—An influential Christian watchdog said Monday, March 12, that the British government is downplaying reports of persecution of Eritrean Christians in its recent human rights report.

Open Doors UK and Ireland told BosNewsLife that, "Contrary to the British Government’s 2006 Human Rights Report, which states that 'Christians [in Eritrea] are allowed to preach the Gospel as long as they do not criticize the government or its policies', two Eritrean Christians were tortured to death after being arrested for holding a religious service in a private home."

In addition over 2,000 Christians "are under arrest in police stations, military camps and jails across the country. In many cases, police authorities are subjecting the detained Christians to beatings and other physical mistreatment," said the group, which supports Christians persecuted for their faith..

Open Doors UK and Ireland made the comments as its revealed more details about its recently released World Watch List of what it claims are the 50 countries with "the worst" situation for Christians.

North Korea is leading the list after Open Doors said it "uncovered information which indicates that more Christians were arrested in 2006 than in 2005, with an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Christians currently suffering in prison camps." Many of them are said to have been tortured. “Others are putting their lives at risk by trying to flee to China," the group stressed. At least some Christians are known to have been executed in recent months, BosNewsLife monitored.

"HONEYMOON DESTINATION”

In addition to North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia and the Maldives "a favorite honeymoon holiday destination for many Britons," are "highlighted as the worst offenders," Open Doors UK and Ireland said. Completing the top 10 are Yemen, Bhutan, Vietnam, Laos and Afghanistan. Chief Executive of Open Doors UK and Ireland, Eddie Lyle said he regretted that the international community appears to be indifferent regarding persecution of Christians. "One of the great injustices in today’s world is the ignorance that surrounds the scale of persecution against Christians. In over 60 nations, 200 million believers face the most brutal retribution because of their faith," Lyle said in a statement.

"It's time for this oversight to be redressed. The publication of the Open Doors' World Watch List is the first element of a campaign to bring this information into the public arena." His organization noted that in 2006 conditions for Christians "in many other countries” deteriorated markedly, namely in Uzbekistan, Comoros, Iraq, northern Nigeria, Algeria, Mauritania, Turkey, Ethiopia and northeast Kenya. In Iraq (no.21 on the list) violence specifically targeted at Christians in addition to the daily violence increased in 2006, the group said.

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Pertinent Links:

1) Britain Downplays Persecution Of Eritrean Christians, Investigators Say