CHRISTIANS
SUBJECTED TO INHUMANE CONDITIONS IN SAUDI PRISON
Saudi
Ambassador says, "Release our prisoners here and we will release yours
there."
While
human rights agencies and foreign governments express concern about the
treatment of Al-Qaeda terrorists detained at a U.S. military base in Cuba, the
world has been silent about the inhumane treatment of 14 innocent
Christians detained by the government of Saudi Arabia.
After
repeated protest calls and letters to U.S. and Saudi government officials from the
Washington, DC human rights organization International Christian Concern (ICC),
and other groups, six of the fourteen detained Christians being held in
Saudi Arabia have been released and deported. However, there is a growing
concern about the health and welfare of the remaining eight Christians still
detained. According to eyewitness reports, the remaining eight
Christians who have been in jail for more than six months, having never been
charged for committing a crime, but only accused of having practiced
their faith in their homes, are being subjected to inhumane conditions.
Earlier
today, a representative of ICC telephoned the Saudi Embassy and
asked to speak with Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Prince
Bandar. ICC was told that he was out of the country and was transferred
to "Ambassador" Al-Gain. During the 30 second conversation, as
soon as the names of the detained Christians in Jeddah were brought
up, Mr. Al-Gain, who at first denied
knowing anything, then angrily said, "If you release our
prisoners here, we’ll release your prisoners there!" He
then abruptly hung up the phone.
It
is unclear what Ambassador Al-Gain meant by "our prisoners,"
but it can be assumed that he was referring to Saudi detainees in the
United States and elsewhere who are being questioned about their possible
involvement in the terrorist attacks of September 11.
Unfortunately,
the U.S. government has been unwilling or incapable of doing anything to
help these innocent Christians who themselves are victims of Saudi
terrorist tactics!
The
names of the Christians finally released and then deported after more
than six months in prison are:
1) Mesfin
Berhanu to Ethiopia
2) Genet
Haileab Araya to Eritrea (His family is still in Jeddah)
3) Afobunor
Okey Buliamin (Benjamin) to Nigeria (His wife is still in Jeddah)
4) Kebrom Haile to Addis Abba 5) Eskander Menghis to Eritrea
6) Suleiman
Keder (Ahmed) to Ethiopia
Note:
It is unclear whether Suleiman Keder was actually deported. Compass
Direct has reported that he was deported, but another source has reported
that he was moved to the Shariffiyah Deportation Center. Nothing has
been heard from him since that time.
The
names of the remaining Christians who are still detained at the Breman
Deportation Center near the Jeddah airport are:
1)
Filipino, Dennis Moreno
2)
Eritrean, Yusuf Girmaye
3)
Indian, Prabhu Isaac
Four
Ethiopians:
4) Tinsaie
Gizachew
5) Bahru
Mengistu
6) Beferdu
Fikri
7) Gebeyehu
Tefera
8) Ethiopian, Ismail Abubakr [previously identified as Worku]
was moved on January 8 to the Matta Jail near Mecca. It
is unclear as to the true
reason for his transfer, but concerns have been raised that his having
a Muslim name and yet being a Christian may be part of
the reason.
It
was reported that Gebeyehu Tefera, Beferdu Fikre, Bahru Menghistu, and
Tinsae Gizachew are awaiting to be deported. Bahru was seen hand cuffed
and shackled and Tinsae was also seen hand cuffed. They were all being
treated as criminals but they have never been charged with any crime. The
obvious reason for all the men having been detained is due to the fact they
practiced their Christian faith in the privacy of their own homes.
The
Christian prisoners who have been relocated to the "deportation
center" are being held in one large cell measuring approximately
35' x 100' with about 1,800 prisoners in the cell. All the
prisoners have to sleep in shifts on the filthy floor. The toilets are
reported to be overflowing and the food is served under unsanitary
conditions. It was further reported that 80% of the prisoners have
contagious diseases, including some with AIDS.
Concerned
individuals are being urged by ICC to stage a telephone protest to express
concern and outrage about the continued detention and ill-treatment of the
Christians in Saudi Arabia. CALL NOW AND KEEP CALLING UNTIL ALL THE
CHRISTIANS ARE RELEASED:
Acting
Saudi Ambassador Al-Gain: (202) 342-3800 Secretary
of State Colin Powell: (202) 647-6575
