CSW Oral Statement on Eritrea

CSW’s oral statement on human rights in Eritrea at the 32nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.

NGO: Jubilee Campaign Speaker: Sini Maria Heikkila Title: Human rights in Eritrea Date: June 2016

Thank you Mr President.

Jubilee Campaign together with Christian Solidarity Worldwide welcome the COIE’s comprehensive report which establishes that crimes against humanity have been committed in a widespread and systematic manner in Eritrea since 1991and applaud the commitment and integrity maintained by the Commission in the face of immense challenges, including non cooperation from the Eritrean government.

The array of violations is unremitting, including enslavement within the context of forced labour in the indefinite national service regime, persecution of specified religious and ethnic groups, rape, murder, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances. These violations continue to strip hundreds of thousands of Eritrean people of their fundamental rights and freedoms, including in the national service, where many young women experience domestic servitude and sexual violence.

Given the gravity, scope, routine and regular nature of these crimes, we are deeply concerned by recent European migration policies that appear to portray Eritreans exclusively as economic migrants and harness the services of repressive governments to address short term domestic exigencies. Such policies contrast starkly with the damning findings of the Commission’s report. We urge all signatories to the UN and African Refugee Conventions to respect the principle of non-refoulement and to provide sanctuary and protection to Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers who are in reality fleeing a comprehensively repressive system and a pervasive culture of impunity.

Justice delayed is justice denied. It is vital that international community swiftly develops and implements holistic responses to the recommendations put forward by the Commission. To assist this process we call for the renewal of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, urging the Eritrean government to illustrate its commitment to working with the HRC by engaging with that mandate and with all other HRC mechanisms. We also support the Commission’s recommendation for the establishment of a structure with a protection and promotion mandate by the OHCHR to ensure accountability and to support the work of the Rapporteur.

Thank you Mr President.