EU Statement - Interactive Dialogue on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

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EU Statement - Interactive Dialogue on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

19.06.2023 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

53^rd session

Interactive Dialogue on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

19 June 2023

EU Intervention

Mister President,

The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur for his oral update.

The EU welcomes progress made in the sphere of social rights, in particular the rights to education and health, and in advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, Eritrea's engagement in the UPR process and the African Peer Review Mechanism allows discussion of human rights issues in a spirit of mutual trust and partnership.

The EU nevertheless remains highly concerned about the lack of progress regarding human rights in the country. As reported by the Special Rapporteur, large numbers of persons continue to be arbitrarily detained and many Eritreans remain disappeared. The EU calls on Eritrea to address those cases by revealing the whereabouts of those disappeared and by releasing those held arbitrarily. Arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances as well as severe limitations on the exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association constitute violations of international human rights law.

We also call on Eritrea to protect the right to freedom of religion or belief. Eritrea should resume the process of registration of other religions which has been interrupted, in line with its international obligations.

The practice of indefinite National Service, including the reported conscription of children, remains a source of great concern. The EU encourages Eritrea to seize the opportunity which the implementation of the provisions of the Cessation of Hostilities in Northern Ethiopia offers to end the practice of indefinite National Service and of forced recruitment of children, and to create space to advance on the promotion and protection of all human rights.

The EU calls upon the Government of Eritrea to fully withdraw its troops from Ethiopia. The EU also takes this opportunity to recall that credible, independent investigations of alleged violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law are important for providing justice to victims, inside and outside Tigray, including Eritreans who had found refuge in Ethiopia.

While we welcome Eritrea's engagement in the UPR process, the EU regrets that the Eritrean government refuses to work constructively with a mandate established by the Council and calls on the authorities to consider the benefits of a visit by the Special Rapporteur. The EU also encourages Eritrea to follow up on its dialogue with the OHCHR and supports the implementation of Eritrea's partnership with the United Nations under the Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework.

The EU stands ready to continue its engagement with Eritrea and its people on the basis of a comprehensive and long term approach.

Dr. Babiker,with the cessation of hostilities in Ethiopia, what new opportunities are there for progress in the enjoyment and protection of human rights in Eritrea?

Thank you.