Today, on May 6th, 2024, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) has evaluated the human rights situation in Eritrea as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. This sheds light on the true state of human rights conditions in the country.
Eritrea has been a member of the Human Rights Council for 6 years and claims full support for the UPR process. One would expect, therefore, a high regard for the Council, its decisions, and processes, and a willingness to comply with each and every UPR recommendations.
Eritrea’s human rights record has been reviewed 3 times in the past decades, in 2009, 2014, and 2019, and today marks its 4th Universal Periodic Review. We should then expect significant progress in the country’s human rights situation, especially regarding UPR recommendations accepted by the state of Eritrea.
Sadly, we must pose uncomfortable questions about the lack of any observable progress: –
• In the past, Eritrea has agreed to fully implement its constitution and all its human rights protections. However, this commitment has never materialized. Why have promises of holding fully democratic elections for a truly representative parliament gone unfulfilled?
• Despite supporting eight recommendations in previous UPRs to safeguard fundamental freedoms of expression and protect journalists, none of these suggestions have been put into action. Why has the Eritrean government failed to implement these crucial measures?
• Eritrea accepted recommendations in previous UPRs to end arbitrary detention, ensure fair trials for all detainees, and release all persons detained without trial. Why have these recommendations been disregarded? The absence of safeguards against arbitrary arrest and state-sanctioned violence persists, with no steps taken by authorities to address these violations. Currently, there are estimated to be over 10,000 Prisoners of Conscience held across approximately 350 detention centres.
• Despite recommendations in the UPR process to cease the use of torture and fully adhere to the UN Convention Against Torture, Eritrea continues to ignore these calls. Torture remains prevalent in various settings, including police stations, civilian and military prisons, and undisclosed detention facilities.
• Eritrea accepted a recommendation to protect women from violence, particularly by criminalizing violence against women and girls, including those in the armed forces. Yet, no legislative or practical measures have been taken to address this issue.
• Despite claims of upholding Religious Freedom, Eritrea frequently imprisons Christians and Muslims without charge or trial. It’s estimated that up to 1,000 Christians may be detained at any given time.
• As a member of the Council, Eritrea has given the impression to cooperate with all UN Human Rights mechanisms. However, the reality contradicts this assertion, as Eritrea has consistently refused to cooperate with UN Special Rapporteurs and other Special Procedures Mandate Holders. How can an elected member of the Human Rights Council refuse to engage with and participate in the basic procedures of the body it claims to respect?
What then explains these glaring contradictions between Eritrea’s claimed official compliance and the harsh reality of its human rights violations?
It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Eritrea’s membership in the Human Rights Council is nothing but a “smokescreen” to hide its contempt for human rights principles in practice.
Is it not high time for the international community to recognise that Eritrea’s apparent cooperation with the UN and its UPR processes is nothing more than an elaborate pretence, and that the unelected Eritrean regime has no genuine intention of improving its abysmal human rights record or taking any notice of the principles, expert advice, or formal processes and procedures of the UN?
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
eritrea.facts@gmail.com
