President Obama Highlights Eritrean Government Abuses

PRESIDENT OBAMA marked World Press Freedom Day with a statement denouncing the Eritrean government as a major violator of press freedom in Africa.

Among the government's violations was the non-canonical removal of Abuna Antonius, the rightful Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church. The Patriarch had been openly objecting to the government's interference in Church matters and the arrest of three priests. On May 27, 2007, the government impermissibly deposed him and installed Bishop Dioscoros of Mendefera in his place. That same day, he was forcibly removed from his residence and transported to a location that is still unknown.

Here is a report of President Obama's statement.

Here a BBC article regarding the government's denials.