HRC41: Oral Statement during adoption of Eritrea UPR outcome

Agenda Item 6:Eritrea

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you Mr President,

CSW welcomes Eritrea’s engagement with the UPR.

We particularly welcome the many recommendations regarding the need to ensure full and free exercise of the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).

Acceptance and implementation of these recommendations is essential. In 2016 a Commission of Inquiry mandated by this body found Eritrean officials had committed the crime of persecution. Recent events indicate this continues to date.

On 10 May 141 Christians, including 14 minors, were arrested at their homes in Maitemenai, Asmara. The Christians were reportedly transported to separate detention centres according to their gender. On 17 May 30 more were arrested, as they gathered in three locations in Godaif.

More recently, every Catholic-owned health facility was closed down, and five Orthodox priests were arrested within a 24 hour period from 12-13 June. This is despite the fact that both faith communities are supposedly permitted to operate in the country.

We echo calls for Eritrea to promote and protect FoRB for all citizens, in accordance with the UDHR and ICCPR.

CSW has confirmed the detention of 345 church officials, including six leaders held for over a decade, with detained laity estimated at over 800. Furthermore, 52 members of the Jehovah’s Witness movement and an unknown number of Muslims are detained indefinitely.

We therefore welcome recommendations urging Eritrea to end arbitrary detention, including one from Spain specifically requesting the release of people detained on account of their religious beliefs.

It is disappointing, however, that no recommendations were made regarding deaths in detention. On 30 January 2019 Haji Ibrahim Younus, a septuagenarian, died after an extended period in detention during which he did not receive adequate medical attention.

His death follows that of Haji Musa Mohammed Nur, Habtemichael Tesfamariam and Habtemichael Mekonen in 2018, which are illustrative of a continuing pattern of harsh arbitrary detention and ongoing violations of the right to FoRB.

We call for the immediate release of anyone detained due to their religious beliefs. We also call on the Eritrean authorities to adopt and implement the Nelson Mandela Rules, and conduct detailed and transparent investigations into all deaths in detention.

Thank you