HRC53: Oral Statement on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

Item 2:Interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker:Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President

CSW thanks the Special Rapporteur and concurs regarding the lack of progress in Eritrea’s human rights situation, and deteriorations, including of freedom of religion or belief.

Particularly notable is the case of Pastor Tesfay Seyoum of Meserete Kristos Church, who spent ten years in Mai Serwa prison. He died of a brain tumour in hospital while still a prisoner, and remained unburied for days due to the denial of a burial site.

103 young Christians who were arrested in mid-April while recording and uploading their second worship song to YouTube are still in Mai Serwa. 30 Christians arrested in a house in Keren in March also remain detained.

Eritrea continues to export repression. Its forces still occupy part of Irob in Tigray in violation of the Pretoria agreement, reportedly committing rape, looting, extrajudicial killings, and other crimes. They are currently demolishing homes in Zalambesa, a month after preventing the AU-MVCM from accessing the town.

Eritrean troops are also implicated in forced returns of refugees from Sudan, including at least 95 activist and government opponents, who face indefinite detention, forced conscription, or enforced disappearance. Tellingly, this is Eritrea’s only open border.

We therefore urge the Council to renew the Rapporteur’s mandate. We also reiterate Eritrea must be held accountable for historic and continuing international crimes committed at home and abroad. In addition, seats on this Council should henceforth be reserved for nations aligning with its ethos.

Thank you.