Situation of human rights in Eritrea

Condemnatory

Yes

Analysis

• This resolution extends the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea and expresses deep concern over persistent and serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, forced labour, and abuses associated with indefinite national service. It also criticizes the lack of transparency and accountability for abuses by Eritrean forces and continuing widespread impunity.
• Eritrea opposed the mandate renewal, arguing that it was politically motivated and no longer justified.
• The resolution is therefore deemed condemnatory.

Main Sponsors

European Union

Vote

Yes - 23, No - 6, Abstain - 17, Absent - 0

See Full Vote

Key Praise

• "Welcoming the ratification by Eritrea of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities…"
• "Noting progress on economic and social rights, including relating to essential health services…"
• "Welcoming the release of some arbitrarily detained individuals and urging the Government to continue the release of persons remaining in arbitrary detention in Eritrea…"
• "Welcoming further the engagement of Eritrea in the fourth cycle of the universal periodic review, and noting its support for 126 recommendations out of 293 recommendations."

Key Criticism

• "Expressing continued deep concern at the ongoing human rights violations and abuses, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur, including violations and abuses of civil and political rights, such as arbitrary arrest and incommunicado detention, inhumane conditions of detention, violations of the right to a fair and public hearing, access to justice and due process, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, forced labour and sexual and gender-based violence, as well as the persistent violations of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief and freedom of peaceful assembly and association."
• "Expressing continued deep concern also at the policy and practice of prolonged and indefinite conscription into national/military service, the grave human rights violations committed in the context of national service and the wide-ranging negative impact of national/military service on the enjoyment of civil, political, economic and social rights..."
• "Expressing deep concern at the lack of transparency and accountability to date of the Government of Eritrea regarding reported violations and abuses committed by Eritrean military forces, including in northern Ethiopia."
• "Expresses deep concern at the reported persistent human rights violations and abuses in Eritrea, in a context of continuing widespread impunity, and reiterates that all those responsible for human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable."
• "Decides to extend the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea for a further period of one year."