A leading Catholic bishop in Eritrea has been freed from detention after being held without trial since October, reliable sources have told reporters.
Bishop Fikremariam Hagos was released along with a parish priest, Abba Mihretab Stefanos.
No reasons were given by the authorities for their detention.
The Catholic Church has repeatedly called for an end to one-party rule in Eritrea, and for democracy to be embraced.
The Catholic Archbishop of Asmara and a small congregation gathered to welcome the clerics after their release.
Eritrea has not held a national election since it gained independence from Ethiopia in 1991.
It has been ruled since then by President Isaias Afwerki. His regime has been accused of human rights abuses – including violating religious rights.
The bishop had been detained since 15 October after he returned to the capital, Asmara, from a trip to Europe.
In 2019, the authorities shut Catholic-run schools and hospitals, saying that religious bodies could not run such institutions.
Catholics make up about 4% of Eritrea’s population. The church is one of only four religious groups allowed to operate in Eritrea, along with the Eritrean Orthodox, Evangelical Lutheran, and Sunni Muslim groups.
Would you like to get published on this Website? You can now email Uganda Times: an Opinion, any breaking news, Exposes, story ideas, human interest, articles or any interesting videos on: [email protected]. Or join the Ugandatimes WhatsApp Group or Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
