Release Abune Antonios, Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, under house arrest since 2007

We, the undersigned, urge Congress to express outrage and call for the immediate release of His Holiness Abune Antonios, Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, who has been under house arrest since 2007. There have been egregious violations of freedom of worship in Eritrea and His Holiness has been illegally and forcibly removed from his position for his opposition to government interference in religious affairs. His Holiness, who is in his late eighties, suffers from severe diabetes and is reported to be in deteriorating health condition.

We would appreciate your help in securing “immediate freedom for his Holiness so that he would regain his rightful place among his compatriots from other faiths who have been loud in raising their voices.”

Further information could be found at the following links:

1. http://www.abuneantonios.com/
2. http://your-story.org/oecocw-petitions-for-release-of-his-holiness-abune-antonios-patriarch-of-the-eritrean-orthodox-tewhado-church-304635/
3. http://awate.com/abune-antonios-is-in-worrisome-health-conditions/
4. http://asmarino.com/articles/1326-the-detained-patriarch-persecuted-christians-and-a-dying-church
5. http://assenna.com/kind-appeal-on-the-conditions-of-persecuted-christians-in-eritrea/
6. http://www.dailyethiopia.com/index.php?aid=1092
7. USCIRF: Annual Report- http://www.uscirf.gov/images/ar2011/eritrea2011.pdf