Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE), is deeply troubled by the recent appointment of Eritrea’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Ms. Sofia Tesfamariam, as Vice President of the UNICEF’s Board. This decision not only contradicts UNICEF’s mission of advocating for and protecting the rights of children but, also threatens to undermine its credibility on the global stage.
Eritrea has a long and well-documented history of severe human rights violations, including the systematic use of child soldiers, child labour, forced labour, and the suppression of basic freedoms. A UN-appointed Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea found that the government has committed crimes against humanity. These atrocities disproportionately impact children and their families. Despite repeated calls from the United Nations and other international bodies to address these issues, the Eritrean government continues to operate with impunity, perpetuating systemic abuses that devastate countless lives.
Children in Eritrea face unimaginable hardships: indefinite national service beginning at a young age, limited access to education, and the suppression of free expression. Thousands of unaccompanied minors have been forced to flee the country to escape conscription, often enduring dangerous journeys and exploitation. Families are torn apart as parents, conscripted into indefinite service, cannot care for or protect their children. Eritrea is among the highest refugee-producing countries in the world, and most of them are children.
Ms. Sofia Tesfamariam’s unwavering support for the Eritrean regime’s policies and her history as a diaspora cadre for this government prior to being appointed as its UN representative, raise significant concerns about her ability to represent the values UNICEF stands for. Her actions, including defaming and maligning Eritrean activists in the diaspora on social media, in articles and elsewhere, demonstrate her alignment with the oppressive policies of a regime that has consistently violated children’s rights.
By appointing a representative of a government responsible for atrocity crimes to a leadership role within UNICEF, the organisation sends a disheartening message to victims and survivors of Eritrea’s crimes. It also risks eroding trust in UNICEF’s impartiality and dedication to its foundational principles of promoting the well-being and rights of children worldwide. Human Rights Concern – Eritrea calls on UNICEF to reconsider this appointment and ensure that its leadership remains unequivocally committed to human rights, accountability, and the protection of children’s welfare. We urge the global community to hold UNICEF accountable and demand transparency in its decision-making processes.
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
eritrea.facts@gmail.com
