E/CN.4/2005/61/Add.1 Page 24 Observations 90. The Special Rapporteur is grateful for the details provided in the responses of the Government. Regarding the communication of 15 March 2004, she notes that the Government has not given its observations on the alleged attack against Girza Ayiat Giza and the question relating to the Bahá’ís. Recalling the most recent concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee (CCPR/CO/76/EGY), she encourages the Government to continue taking all necessary measures to ensure freedom of religion to all without discrimination. Eritrea Communications and replies received 91. On 15 March 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication to the Government of Eritrea regarding a pastor known only as Iyob, from the Kale Hiwot (World of Life) evangelical Christian Church, and seven unnamed members of his congregation who were reportedly held incommunicado in November 2003 at a police station in the southern town of Mendefera. The eight were allegedly arrested by police on 23 November 2003 in Mendefera, where their church is based, 30 km south of the capital, Asmara. The reason for their arrest was unknown and they had not been charged with any offence. It was feared that they were detained solely for exercising their legitimate right to freedom of religion. 92. The main Kale Hiwot church in Asmara was reportedly closed down by soldiers in October 2003, apparently as part of the Government's actions to restrict religious freedom. The Kale Hiwot Church is one of 12 minority Christian Churches that were allegedly banned in May 2002 and ordered to register with the new Department of Religious Affairs, but were informally allowed to continue their religious activities. Churches complained at the registration requirements, which included providing extensive details of members and funds. 93. In early 2003, the authorities allegedly began a pattern of arrests of members of several of these Churches, breaking into church services and ceremonies, illegally detaining them for indefinite periods without charge, and subjecting prisoners to torture or ill-treatment to try to force them to abandon their faith. In August 2003, 57 school students on a compulsory course at Sawa military barracks were reportedly arrested and put in metal shipping containers in harsh conditions amounting to torture, because they were found with Bibles in their possession. At the time of the communication, over 330 members of minority faiths were said to be detained in different parts of the country. 94. On 14 June 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication to the Government of Eritrea regarding Full Gospel Church leaders Haile Naizgi and Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel, who were reportedly arrested at their homes in Asmara, on 23 May 2004. They were reportedly held incommunicado in the 1st and 6th police stations respectively, in Asmara. They were allegedly arrested solely because of their religious beliefs. They were at risk of torture to force them to abandon their faith.