Human Rights Groups Urge UN to Continue Scrutiny on Eritrea
A coalition of over 30 human rights organizations, led by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), is urging the United Nations Human Rights Council to maintain its current level of oversight on Eritrea by extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for human rights in the country.
Despite a renewal of the mandate last year, CSW highlights in a signed letter that the human rights situation in Eritrea remains unchanged. The letter reports ongoing arbitrary detentions, with over 10,000 individuals affected, including eleven who have been held without communication for nearly 25 years for advocating democratic reforms.
UN Officer for CSW, Claire Denman, emphasized the importance of international scrutiny, stating, “That the government of Eritrea continues to go to great lengths to prevent scrutiny of its human rights record is evidence of the positive impact of the work of the mandate of the special rapporteur.” She warned that without continued international attention, the regime might further commit serious violations unchecked.
A 2016 UN Commission of Inquiry found credible evidence of crimes against humanity in Eritrea, dating back to 1991. These include acts such as “enslavement, imprisonment, enforced disappearance, torture, other inhumane acts, persecution, rape, and murder” by Eritrean officials.
The coalition’s letter notes a lack of progress in upholding standards in areas like the rule of law and civil liberties since 2020. It argues that these issues stem from deliberate policy choices, not merely from limited resources, stating, “In a context in which Eritrea refuses to meaningfully cooperate with the Council and its mechanisms, and considering that the cause of serious violations in the country is political in nature, rather than merely due to a lack of capacity or resources, the provision of technical assistance and capacity-building would at this time be neither efficient nor adequate to address the country’s challenges.”
Denman further urged, “We urge Member States not to be misled by the Eritrean government’s efforts to paint a false picture of progress, and to instead support a strong resolution that extends the mandate of the special rapporteur, assisting the mandate holder whenever requested.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
