https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eritrea-in-year-update-december-2015/eritrea-in-year-update-december-2015
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Corporate report
Eritrea - in-year update December 2015
Published 21 April 2016
Contents
Eritrea made some limited progress against its international commitments on human rights during the period from 1 July to 31 December 2015. The most significant development was its renewed engagement with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) who visited Eritrea in December 2015. This followed a visit in early 2015, and the OHCHR was able to undertake the first visit to a place of detention in many years. Eritrea increased cooperation with the international community to tackle people smuggling and trafficking, and became a member of the International Organisation for Migration in November 2015.The UN’s Somalia Eritrea Monitoring Group also reported for the second year running that it had found no evidence of continued Eritrea support to the Al Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia. However, Eritrea has continued to deny access to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and to the UN Commission of Inquiry. We continue to urge Eritrea to allow both access to the country.
Eritrea is one of the top sources of irregular migration to Europe. We have made clear to the government of Eritrea that the poor human rights situation is one of the main drivers of migration. We and EU partners are stepping up our dialogue with Eritrea on how to stem this flow. Eritrea took part in the Valletta Summit on Migration (11-12 November 2015), where leaders agreed an ambitious action plan to address the root causes of migration from Africa, including through improving respect for human rights. Eritrea also continues to engage with international partners through the African Union/EU Khartoum Process which aims to tackle forced migration and human trafficking.
Eritrea is a one-party state and there have been no national elections since 1993. The government of Eritrea has yet to implement its constitution (ratified in 1997) although it is used as a basis for legislation. The government have reported that preparatory work on the drafting of a new constitution is under way.
The UK remains concerned about the system of National Service used in Eritrea. We welcomed the government of Eritrea’s commitment in 2015 to limit National Service to 18 months; however, we have yet to see implementation of this decision. In 2015 the UK provided funding to a Norwegian Refugee Council program to provide skills and employment to those leaving National Service.
The UK wants to see better conditions for children in Eritrea, and remains concerned about: a lack of education; limited access to health services; and the prospect of extended National Service. Each of these can act as a driver for migration, pushing minors to undertake dangerous journeys to Europe. Though the government of Eritrea has made some progress, including improving health services and increasing the net national enrolment in education, more needs to be done. Through the Department for International Development, the UK is supporting UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund) programmes in health, as well as water and sanitation, which help improve the lives of children in Eritrea.
Women in Eritrea are well-protected by law but still face challenges due to cultural attitudes and a lack of economic opportunity. The National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) continues their work on improving the social, economic and social rights for women in Eritrea, and is exploring possible projects with government ministries to look at improving gender equality within the government.
We continue to remain concerned about the Eritrean government’s approach to LGB&T rights. Homosexual activity is illegal. Eritrea continues to refuse to develop anti-discrimination legislation which would provide protection for the LGB&T community.
Eritrea continues to be of concern in relation to arbitrary and inhumane detention, religious freedom, freedom of expression and assembly, freedom of movement, and progress in the implementation of a constitution. In relation to freedom of expression, we continue to be concerned about the case of a group of prominent public figures in Eritrea who were arrested after calling for democratic reforms. Bilaterally and through the EU we have called on the Eritrean authorities to release all political prisoners unconditionally.
Although access to satellite media is widespread, Eritrea was bottom of the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index for 2014. Eritrea remains at the lowest rating (7) “not free” in the Freedom House 2015 report on political rights and civil liberties. Eritrea has been listed at this level since 2010.
Received on Fri Apr 22 2016 - 14:22:47 EDT