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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 001079 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2016 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KIRF ER
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON HELEN BERHANE 
 
REF: ASMARA 862 
 
Classified By: AMB. Scott H. DeLisi for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) While unconfirmed, post received reports that Helen 
Berhane crossed the border illegally to Sudan on December 21. 
 British Charge received notification from London on December 
23, indicating that the human rights NGO, Christian 
Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) claimed she departed Eritrea and 
was now staying in Sudan.  CSW further alleged she would seek 
support and a visa for travel to the UK or the US for medical 
treatment and possibly seek asylum. 
 
¶2. (C) As reported reftel, the Government of the State of 
Eritrea (GSE) detained Ms. Berhane for nearly three years 
because of her religious beliefs.  A member of the Rema 
Church, one of the unregistered religious groups in Eritrea, 
she was well known Christian singer.  Rev. Zacharias 
Abraham(protect) of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church met 
with Ms. Berhane in November after her release by the GSE. 
He recounted to PolOff that GSE officials kept Ms. Berhane in 
solitary confinement in a shipping container for her entire 
detention.  During her detention GSE officials beat her 
frequently and severely, insisting she renounce her faith. 
She refused.  In October 2006, after she was beaten so badly 
she could not walk, GSE officials transferred Ms. Berhane to 
Halibet Hospital in Asmara for medical treatment.  Shortly 
after her transfer, the GSE informed her they would no longer 
be detaining her, an act interpreted by her family and the 
international community as her being "released."  She 
continues to be in a wheelchair and receives regular medical 
attention and physical therapy for her legs. 
 
3.(C) Comment:  Post has so far been unable to confirm 
reports of Ms. Berhane's departure from Eritrea and, although 
we continue to look into this, we are attempting to do so 
discreetly to avoid any possible risks to Berhane or her 
family.  Given the high level of international attention to 
her situation, post believes Ms. Berhane would likely have 
been under surveillance.  It would be surprising to us if she 
was able to leave Eritrea without the knowledge of Eritrean 
officials but at the same time we doubt the GSE would 
willingly allow her to depart.  In addition, given that Ms. 
Berhane's presence abroad could further negatively focus the 
international community's attention on human rights in 
Eritrea, anyone found to have assisted her departure would 
likely face serious government retaliation. Post will 
continue our efforts to confirm or deny the report of Ms. 
Berhane fleeing Eritrea to inquire about the veracity of the 
claim and update Washington as additional information becomes 
available.  End Comment. 
DELISI