http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14364&LangID=E
UN human rights expert to meet Eritrean diaspora in Germany and Switzerland
GENEVA (13 March 2014) - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human
rights situation in Eritrea, Sheila B. Keetharuth, will undertake an
official visit to Germany and Switzerland from 17 to 28 March 2014 to
collect first-hand information from Eritrean refugees and migrants on the
human rights situation in Eritrea.
Since her appointment in November 2012, the Special Rapporteur has made
several requests to visit Eritrea, which have so far not been granted. She
has repeatedly urged the Eritrean authorities to collaborate with her
mandate with a view to addressing its human rights challenges.
"Due to lack of access to Eritrea, I have been engaging with Eritrean
refugees and migrants outside of their home country, and all others
concerned by human rights in Eritrea, including those who consider
themselves to be victims of alleged human rights violations, human rights
defenders and other civil society actors," Ms. Keetharuth said.
During her mission, the Special Rapporteur will interview Eritrean refugees
and migrants about the situation of human rights in Eritrea to corroborate
allegations of widespread and systematic violations of human rights in
Eritrea contained in reports she has received from a variety of
interlocutors.
The Special Rapporteur expressed her appreciation that Germany and
Switzerland have agreed to provide her with access to interview the
Eritrean refugees and migrants residing in those two countries.
The result of her findings, which will be strictly limited to the situation
inside Eritrea, will be reflected in her second report to the Human Rights
Council in June 2014.
Sheila B. Keetharuth was appointed as the Special Rapporteur on the human
rights situation in Eritrea during the 21st Session of the UN Human Rights
Council in September 2012. She took her functions on 1 November 2012. As
Special Rapporteur, she is independent from any government or organization
and serves in her individual capacity. A lawyer from Mauritius, she has
extensive experience in monitoring and documenting human rights violations,
advocacy, training and litigation in human rights in Africa.
Received on Thu Mar 13 2014 - 15:30:26 EDT