Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Eritrea

UN Human Rights Council, 38th Session

Organisation: CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

Agenda Item 4:ID with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Eritrea

Speaker:Samson Solomon

I am speaking on behalf of Samson Solomon whose father Solomon Habtom died in custody after being arbitrarily detained.

His father joined the Liberation movement in early 1975. Initially on the front lines, he was later one of the founders of a microwave communication systems and other technologies that helped the revolution.

From 1991 to 1995, he worked without pay to rebuild his country.

However, from 2001 onwards, Eritreans who were keen to implement the ratified constitution, to see rule of law established and human rights respected, were purged and detained incommunicado in prisons across the country.

On 10th July 2003, Mr Habtom was taken from his office by three men from the National Security Section. They did not say why or where they were taking him. It took three days to discover he was in Carsheli, Prison in Asmara.

He spent the rest of his life there, without charge or due legal process. He could not even communicate with family by letter, and was held incommunicado until his death on 17th August 2017.

His family were never informed of the cause of death, nor were they allowed an autopsy. Through unofficial sources, they heard his legs had suddenly swollen. That he was in great pain, but prison officials were in meetings, so he received no attention. Four hours later, he was taken to hospital, but it was too late.

Mr Habtom was a devout patriot, who lost three brothers in the struggle. Yet nobody told him why he had to spend 14 years of his life detained incommunicado away from family and the people he had served so selflessly.

He is neither the first nor the last to die in custody. Many prisoners of conscience have died, but most families are not formally notified of their deaths, and may never find out where they are buried.

CSW thanks the special rapporteur for her victim-centred approach, which has enabled victims’ voices to be heard at the highest international levels, and for pursuing accountability. In light of the continuing violations we urge the Council to renew this vital mandate, and to be relentless in pursuing justice for Eritrea’s victims of crimes against humanity.