The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Evangelical News Agency have named Eritrean Orthodox priest Gebremedhin Gebregergis (alternative spelling: Gebre-Giorgos) their “Prisoner of the Month” for March 2026. They are calling for advocacy on behalf of the priest, who has been imprisoned for more than two decades.

Gebregergis was arrested on November 19, 2004, along with two other Christians. Since then, they have been held at Eritrea’s notorious Central Criminal Investigation Centre in Wengel Mermera without charge or trial.

The ISHR learned from exiled Eritreans that Gebregergis and his fellow prisoners were involved in the renewal movement “Medhane Alem Bible Study Group.” This initiative is suppressed under the repressive military dictatorship. Gebregergis, described as humble and dedicated, was the head of a Sunday school at his church, which offered religious instruction to young people.

As early as March 2014, the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and Evangelical News Agency highlighted the plight of the father of six as part of their “Prisoner of the Month” campaign. His wife passed away in 2022. The ISHR and IDEA are calling for renewed demands for the priest’s release in letters to the dictator Isaias Afwerki, who has ruled Eritrea since May 1993.

The Eritrean Orthodox Church, along with the Lutheran and Catholic churches, is one of the few remaining religious communities permitted in Eritrea. However, all are under strict state surveillance.

Sample Letter

To the President of the State of Eritrea
Isaias Afwerki
c/o Embassy of the State of Eritrea
Stavangerstrasse 18
10439 Berlin

Dear Mr. President,

I am writing to you to draw your attention to the plight of Gebremedhin Gebregergis, an Eritrean Orthodox Christian. He is a highly respected priest of his church and was, among other things, the head of a Sunday school. He has been imprisoned without trial since November 19, 2004.
Since Eritrea ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2002, I urge you to do everything in your power to secure the release of this Christian. Furthermore, given the length of his detention, I request an update on his state of health.

Sincerely,