Date: 6 July 2026

Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE) warmly welcomes the decision of the United Nations Human Rights Council to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea for another year.

The resolution was adopted by the Human Rights Council with 23 Member States voting in favour, 17 abstaining, and 6 voting against, reaffirming the international community’s recognition that the grave human rights situation in Eritrea continues to require independent monitoring, reporting, and accountability.

HRCE commends all Member States that voted in favour of the renewal and extends its sincere appreciation to the European Union for its continued leadership in sponsoring this important mandate.

The Eritrean government campaigned vigorously to terminate the mandate. Among the arguments advanced by those opposing the resolution was the claim that the mandate had been established without the consent of the State concerned. However, this argument ignores the fundamental reality that the Government of Eritrea has consistently refused to cooperate with international and regional human rights mechanisms. It has denied access to the Special Rapporteur, rejected the findings and recommendations of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea, failed to comply with decisions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and has yet to meaningfully implement the recommendations it accepted during successive cycles of the Universal Periodic Review.

Equally important, there are no effective domestic remedies available to victims of human rights violations in Eritrea. The judiciary lacks independence, the rule of law has been systematically undermined, and citizens have no meaningful avenue through which to seek justice or challenge abuses committed by the State. In the absence of domestic accountability, international human rights mechanisms remain the only source of hope for victims and their families.

The continued existence of this mandate is further justified by the scale and gravity of the ongoing human rights violations in Eritrea. More than 10,000 prisoners of conscience and political prisoners are believed to be arbitrarily detained. The vast majority held incommunicado, without charge or trial, and denied access to their families, legal counsel, or independent medical care. Thousands more have been subjected to enforced disappearance, with their fate and whereabouts remaining unknown for years, and, in many cases, for decades.

In these circumstances, continued international scrutiny is not only justified but indispensable. The renewal of the mandate sends a clear message that persistent impunity, widespread human rights violations, and the denial of fundamental freedoms cannot be ignored simply because a government refuses to cooperate.

For countless Eritreans, today’s decision represents renewed hope. It affirms that the international community has not forgotten their suffering and remains committed to pursuing truth, justice, accountability, and respect for human dignity.

Beyond those imprisoned or disappeared, the entire Eritrean population continues to live under a system of pervasive repression. Fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, religion or belief, peaceful assembly, association, movement, and political participation, are systematically denied. Indefinite national service, arbitrary detention, torture, forced labour, and the absence of democratic governance continue to deprive Eritreans of their dignity and fundamental freedoms.   

These grave, widespread, and systematic violations, coupled with the complete absence of effective domestic remedies, underscore the continued necessity of independent international monitoring through the mandate of the Special Rapporteur. Until the Government of Eritrea demonstrates genuine respect for its human rights obligations and provides justice and accountability for victims, the mandate remains an indispensable mechanism for ensuring that the voices of victims are heard and that the international community remains engaged.

HRCE believes that the mandate of the Special Rapporteur remains an indispensable mechanism for documenting violations, amplifying the voices of victims and survivors, supporting accountability efforts, and encouraging meaningful reform. As long as the Government of Eritrea refuses to cooperate with international and regional human rights mechanisms and fails to fulfil its obligations under international human rights law, independent monitoring will remain essential.

Human Rights Concern – Eritrea calls upon the Government of Eritrea to end its policy of non-cooperation, engage constructively with UN and African human rights mechanisms, implement its accepted UPR recommendations, release all prisoners of conscience, disclose the fate and whereabouts of all disappeared persons, end indefinite national service, restore the rule of law, and respect the human rights and dignity of all Eritreans. 

Today’s decision is therefore not merely a procedural vote. It is a vote for justice, accountability, and the protection of the fundamental rights of the Eritrean people. Above all, it ensures that the voices of Eritrea’s oppressed people will not be silenced.

Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)