CSW Oral Statement on Eritrea

HRC 37 – Agenda Item 4 – Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on

Eritrea – HRC – Geneva

NGO:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Yona Germano Nati

Title:The situation of human rights in Eritrea

Date: 12 March 2018

Thank you, Mr. President,

My name is Yona Germano Nati, and I’m speaking on behalf of Christian Solidarity Worldwide about my father’s enforced disappearance.

Germano Nati Gojo is one of the politicians held incommunicado since September 2001 known as the G-15.

He joined the struggle for independence of Eritrea in 1976. He loves his country and is committed to his people’s advancement.

When initial arrests occurred in 2001, my Father was on leave in Barentu. His relative died, and I met him at the wake. As we left, I told him I heard on Voice of America that his colleagues were jailed. He was shocked. I asked what he would do. He replied he would go to prison like the others. Those were the last words we exchanged.

He was arrested three days later by security agents as he listened to the radio on his veranda. One stood outside the gate. The other entered and said: “Sir, we need you on a work-related issue”. Saying nothing, my father stood up, went to change his clothes and left with them. My brother and sister, then aged 16 and 12, witnessed this. We have not seen or heard from him in 17 years, despite inquiring.

Mr President.

A Council-mandated Commission of Inquiry found Eritrea’s regime has committed crimes against humanity. My family’s experience provides a glimpse of some. My Father and his colleagues suffered enforced disappearance for peacefully demanding justice and rule of law. I am from the Kunama minority, which suffers persecution. My mother suffered reprisal detention after I fled.

I urge this august body to ignore disingenuous claims of human rights improvements. My father’s plight shows nothing has changed. I ask member states to prioritise justice and accountability instead, maintaining pressure until prisoners of conscience are free, and rule of law is established.

Thank you