Press Release
Ethiopian POWs To Be Repatriated on Friday

The Government of Eritrea shall begin repatriating Ethiopian prisoners of war (POWs) on Friday this week under the auspices of the ICRC.

As it may be recalled, Eritrea had formally informed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) last September of its readiness to release Ethiopian POWs in accordance with the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities and the Geneva Conventions.

Moreover, the peace agreement signed in Algiers on December 12 between the two countries provides for the parties to "release and repatriate, without delay, all prisoners of war" (Art. 2.1.).

Against this backdrop, discussions have been going on with the ICRC on the actual modalities and logistical aspects of the repatriation of the Ethiopian POWs. As a result, repatriation is now scheduled to start on Friday, December 22nd.

Eritrea had unilaterally released and repatriated 71 Ethiopian POWs during the early phase of the conflict.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 20 December 2000