Eritrea: Appeals for prisoners of conscience to be released

As Eritrea celebrates its 12th year of independence on 24 May, large numbers of prisoners of conscience and other political prisoners - possibly amounting to several thousands - languish in indefinite incommunicado detention – held without charge or trial and without access to friends, family or lawyers, says Amnesty International. "Amongst those prisoners of conscience are six women detained solely on account of their peaceful opinions. None of the women has been allowed to see her children since her arrest. Their whereabouts are unknown," says Amnesty.