Saudi Arabian officials strip searched 29 Ethiopian Christian women and assaulted six Christian men after arresting them for holding a prayer meeting at a private home in Jeddah, according to International Christian Concern (ICC).
“The Saudi Arabian officials are committing serious violations of human rights by detaining and mistreating the Christians,” says Jonathan Racho, ICC regional manager for Africa. “It is outrageous that the officials indefinitely incarcerate innocents for practicing their faith. We urge the Saudi officials to release the prisoners and respect their religious freedom.”
The prisoners are currently being held at Briman prison in Jeddah.
“We feel humiliated because the security officials stripped searched us,” one of the female prisoners said during an interview with ICC. “They used the same glove to search several of us at the same time. Some of my friends are suffering from physical pain to their private parts due to the unsanitary condition of the strip search. We haven’t committed any crime. We are imprisoned for worshipping the God of heaven and earth.”
Speaking to ICC, another prisoner said, “A high-ranking security official insulted us saying, ‘You are non-believers and animals.’ He also said, ‘You are pro-Jews and supporters of America.’ We then responded, ‘We love everyone. Our God tells us to love everyone.’”
In a message for Christians around the world, the prisoner said, “We want you to help us to get out of prison in every way you can, including prayer. Please tell your governments about our plight, contact human rights organizations and others and inform them about us.”
Please sign this petition asking the Saudi Arabian government to release the Christian prisoners. Call the Saudi Arabian Embassy in your country and ask them to release the prisoners.
