Today marks 23 years since the Eritrean government launched a brutal crackdown on dissent, arresting members of the G-15 reformist group and shuttering all independent media outlets. In September 2001, the Eritrean regime silenced advocates of democratic reforms, the free press, and voices of conscience, a…
Immediate Call for Action Against the Israeli Government’s Plan to Exploit African Asylum Seekers for Military Recruitment
The Israeli government’s recent proposal to recruit African asylum seekers to fight in the Gaza conflict in exchange for residency status is a flagrant violation of human rights and a calculated exploitation of vulnerable individuals who have faced years of mistreatment, discrimination, and uncertainty. According to…
Eritrea and the Human Rights Council: six years of membership, six years of scrutiny
By extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea, the UN Human Rights Council made sure that the country’s six-year membership in the Council (2019-2024) did not deter, but rather came with enhanced, international scrutiny. DefendDefenders welcomes this decision, which nullifies attempts by human rights…
Urgent Appeal: Eritrean Refugees Held for Ransom in Tigray, Ethiopia
Eritreans escaping their homeland’s oppressive regime and seeking refuge in Ethiopia’s Tigray region are falling victim to kidnappings for ransom. Disturbingly, the perpetrators are not only demanding payment from the victims’ families but are also reselling the individuals to other criminals, perpetuating a distressing cycle of…