Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASMARA1079
2006-12-27 14:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
how-toVZCZCXRO4669 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #1079 3611438 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 271438Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8615 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 6038 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 2918 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0207 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1276 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1455 RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0005 RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 001079
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KIRF ER
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON HELEN BERHANE
REF: ASMARA 862
Classified By: AMB. Scott H. DeLisi for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 001079
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KIRF ER
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON HELEN BERHANE
REF: ASMARA 862
Classified By: AMB. Scott H. DeLisi for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) While unconfirmed, post received reports that Helen
Berhane crossed the border illegally to Sudan on December 21.
British Charge received notification from London on December
23, indicating that the human rights NGO, Christian
Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) claimed she departed Eritrea and
was now staying in Sudan. CSW further alleged she would seek
support and a visa for travel to the UK or the US for medical
treatment and possibly seek asylum.
2. (C) As reported reftel, the Government of the State of
Eritrea (GSE) detained Ms. Berhane for nearly three years
because of her religious beliefs. A member of the Rema
Church, one of the unregistered religious groups in Eritrea,
she was well known Christian singer. Rev. Zacharias
Abraham(protect) of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church met
with Ms. Berhane in November after her release by the GSE.
He recounted to PolOff that GSE officials kept Ms. Berhane in
solitary confinement in a shipping container for her entire
detention. During her detention GSE officials beat her
frequently and severely, insisting she renounce her faith.
She refused. In October 2006, after she was beaten so badly
she could not walk, GSE officials transferred Ms. Berhane to
Halibet Hospital in Asmara for medical treatment. Shortly
after her transfer, the GSE informed her they would no longer
be detaining her, an act interpreted by her family and the
international community as her being "released." She
continues to be in a wheelchair and receives regular medical
attention and physical therapy for her legs.
3.(C) Comment: Post has so far been unable to confirm
reports of Ms. Berhane's departure from Eritrea and, although
we continue to look into this, we are attempting to do so
discreetly to avoid any possible risks to Berhane or her
family. Given the high level of international attention to
her situation, post believes Ms. Berhane would likely have
been under surveillance. It would be surprising to us if she
was able to leave Eritrea without the knowledge of Eritrean
officials but at the same time we doubt the GSE would
willingly allow her to depart. In addition, given that Ms.
Berhane's presence abroad could further negatively focus the
international community's attention on human rights in
Eritrea, anyone found to have assisted her departure would
likely face serious government retaliation. Post will
continue our efforts to confirm or deny the report of Ms.
Berhane fleeing Eritrea to inquire about the veracity of the
claim and update Washington as additional information becomes
available. End Comment.
DELISI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KIRF ER
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON HELEN BERHANE
REF: ASMARA 862
Classified By: AMB. Scott H. DeLisi for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) While unconfirmed, post received reports that Helen
Berhane crossed the border illegally to Sudan on December 21.
British Charge received notification from London on December
23, indicating that the human rights NGO, Christian
Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) claimed she departed Eritrea and
was now staying in Sudan. CSW further alleged she would seek
support and a visa for travel to the UK or the US for medical
treatment and possibly seek asylum.
2. (C) As reported reftel, the Government of the State of
Eritrea (GSE) detained Ms. Berhane for nearly three years
because of her religious beliefs. A member of the Rema
Church, one of the unregistered religious groups in Eritrea,
she was well known Christian singer. Rev. Zacharias
Abraham(protect) of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church met
with Ms. Berhane in November after her release by the GSE.
He recounted to PolOff that GSE officials kept Ms. Berhane in
solitary confinement in a shipping container for her entire
detention. During her detention GSE officials beat her
frequently and severely, insisting she renounce her faith.
She refused. In October 2006, after she was beaten so badly
she could not walk, GSE officials transferred Ms. Berhane to
Halibet Hospital in Asmara for medical treatment. Shortly
after her transfer, the GSE informed her they would no longer
be detaining her, an act interpreted by her family and the
international community as her being "released." She
continues to be in a wheelchair and receives regular medical
attention and physical therapy for her legs.
3.(C) Comment: Post has so far been unable to confirm
reports of Ms. Berhane's departure from Eritrea and, although
we continue to look into this, we are attempting to do so
discreetly to avoid any possible risks to Berhane or her
family. Given the high level of international attention to
her situation, post believes Ms. Berhane would likely have
been under surveillance. It would be surprising to us if she
was able to leave Eritrea without the knowledge of Eritrean
officials but at the same time we doubt the GSE would
willingly allow her to depart. In addition, given that Ms.
Berhane's presence abroad could further negatively focus the
international community's attention on human rights in
Eritrea, anyone found to have assisted her departure would
likely face serious government retaliation. Post will
continue our efforts to confirm or deny the report of Ms.
Berhane fleeing Eritrea to inquire about the veracity of the
claim and update Washington as additional information becomes
available. End Comment.
DELISI