Says the report:

“Two circuit overseers were arrested and sent to ‘re-education centres’ in an effort to brainwash them with Communist doctrine. One of these has recently been released but the other, who has been in detention for a much longer time, managed to send the following report about his experiences:

“‘We were tied with our arms extended horizontally on a stake so that we looked like a cross. Nylon rope or cord was used to tie our arms tightly from the tips of our fingers of one hand to the tips of the fingers of the other, passing also around our bodies. All of this to try to force us to violate the laws of Jehovah. The result was that I and two brothers were left with our arms almost paralyzed, swelling up to the tips of our fingers. When they untied me, my arms were swollen so much that I could hold nothing. It is only now, after 15 days, that I am able to hold a pen.’”

¹² These faithful ones under ban continue to be richly blessed as they make the “law of Jehovah” their delight. This is borne out by a letter from imprisoned Witnesses in still another African country where Jehovah’s work is banned:

“The torture here is constant. Nine brothers were removed from our group, being placed in another cell for five days of continual punishment. Some are awakened at night and beaten; and day after day it is as if the punishment is intensified. We receive one meal a day, if they remember to bring it. Many difficulties are encountered; but they are also overcome. We manage to have our meetings. . . . Great care is used. . . . This is all today from the 75 brothers that greet you.”

No matter how hard the persecutions, these precious ones can draw comfort from the psalmist’s words: “Jehovah is taking knowledge of the way of righteous ones, but the very way of wicked ones will perish.”​—Ps. 1:1-6.

13. In line with others of the Psalms, what determination have our brothers shown in northeast Africa?

¹³ From northeast Africa come reports of arrests in three different countries. In one of these, 5 percent of the brothers and sisters spent time in prison, and some are still there. A number have been tortured and three were killed; two others were reported as under sentence of death.