Statement during Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

Item 2:Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you, Madame President,

CSW welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s report and thanks him for his vital work.

We concur with his assertion that there is no change in the government’s repressive policy towards freedom of religion or belief.

In May the historic Al Mahad al Islami private school in Assab was forcibly closed two days before Eid al Fitr, and the last Catholic-owned educational facilities were seized.

We urge Eritrea to re-open these schools, and to cease all unwarranted interference in the affairs of religious institutions.

Also in May, the government announced the second illegal replacement of Patriarch Antonios, the legitimate head of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, who has been under house arrest since 2007.

CSW calls for the immediate, unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience, including those detained on account of their religion or belief.

We share the Rapporteur’s concerns regarding Tigray, where Eritrean forces are implicated in grave violations, including attacks on religious sites, massacres, refoulement, and the use of rape and starvation as weapons of war. The Council must act urgently and decisively to ensure their immediate withdrawal, and that there is unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians.

Finally, we urge the Council to renew the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, which remains essential, given Eritrea’s worsening human rights situation, and alleged extraterritorial violations.

Thank you