Statement at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea
Delivered by Helen Kidan
Thank you, Mr. President,
CIVICUS and the Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights appreciate the work of the Special Rapporteur and his latest report.
The state of civic space in Eritrea remains closed and a matter of grave concern, with no room for freedom of expression, especially for civil society, journalists and political opponents. Freedom of the press is non-existent, as independent and international media are not allowed to operate, with only state-controlled media outlets available. 16 journalists, including Dawit Isaak, have been disappeared for over 20 years, making them the longest detained journalists in the world. There is also no information regarding the G-15, former members of the government who have been detained since 2001.
Furthermore, the continued national service conscription violates the rights of citizens. Arbitrary detention continues to be used against thousands of real or perceived government critics and opponents without any access to due process rights, such as access to a lawyer.
We urgently call on the Eritrean government to cease forced recruitment and coercive practices, ensure an open civic space for civil society participation, political opposition, and freedom of expression and release all those arbitrarily detained. We further urge the government to engage constructively with the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and allow the visit requests by thematic special procedures.
We call on the Council to adopt a meaningful resolution renewing the crucial mandate of the Special Rapporteur and spelling out the severe human rights violations and abuses committed by the authorities at home and abroad.
We thank you.
Civic space in Eritrea is rated as closed by the CIVICUS Monitor
