Religious freedom advocates gathered outside the Eritrean Embassy in Washington, D.C., on August 21, urging the release of seven Christian leaders who have been held without charges for more than 20 years.

The embassy refused to accept a petition highlighting violations of the Eritrean Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Those detained include Orthodox priests and Evangelical leaders, many suffering serious health issues from long-term imprisonment.

Wendy Wright of Christian Freedom International highlighted Rev. Million Gebreselassie, who was arrested in 2004 and has been held for over 21 years without charge, while Dr. Kuflu Gebremeskel faces stress-related hypertension and diabetes from detention, according to The Christian Post.

Araya Debessay, an Eritrean-born activist, said: “There is no religious freedom in Eritrea. There are so many who are being persecuted because of their religious beliefs.

This is unconstitutional, this is wrong, and this should not happen.”

Haile Tesfay added: “All is controlled by the government, and there is infiltration of the government in all religious institutions.”

Faith McDonnell of Katartismos Global described the harsh realities facing prisoners, including confinement in shipping containers and extreme forms of torture.

Eritrea remains one of the world’s worst countries for Christian persecution, ranked sixth by Open Doors and designated a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. State Department.