Christian Singer arrested and tortured for recording an album

December 20, 2007

And I think I have challenges sometimes!

I was leading worship at an event recently and ended up giving someone a lift to the local train station afterwards. Turns out he’s involved in an Irish organisation that produces a magazine called Church in Chains, they campaign for persecuted Christians around the world.

The magazine had an article about Helen Berhane who was arrested after recording a Gospel album in the West African country of Eritrea. After many months she has recently been granted asylum in Denmark (after the UK couldn’t decide whether she was a genuine case or not).

Here’s part of the Amnesty International press release…

She spent most of her detention in inhuman and degrading conditions inside a metal shipping container which was used as a prison cell. The authorities reportedly tortured her many times to make her recant her faith. In October 2006, she was admitted to hospital in Asmara as a result of new beatings. She was released in late October but is said to be confined to a wheelchair due to the injuries she sustained to her feet and legs. She refused to abandon her faith despite the threats and ill-treatment.

I’m about to embark on some recording, this makes me realize how easy we have it here in the west when you consider that in other places simply recording a Gospel album can get you arrested and tortured!

Posted by Andy | Filed Under General Musings