HRC 49 - EU Intervention: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

Madame/Monsieur President,

The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur, Dr. Babiker, for his oral update on the situation of human rights in Eritrea and reaffirms its support to his mandate.

The EU remains concerned with the human rights situation in Eritrea which has not improved, in particular the practice of indefinite National Service, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and wide spread gender-based violence as reported by the Special Rapporteur. We keep calling on the Government to address all human rights violations as reported by the Special Rapporteur.

On 8 December 2021, the Council of the EU has prolonged the freeze of assets of the National Security Agency for serious human rights violations in Eritrea.

The EU calls on the Government of Eritrea to fully respect human rights and the rule of law for all, to release all prisoners held for political or religious reasons, journalists, media workers and human rights defenders and to end arbitrary and incommunicado detention.

Concerning the situation in Ethiopia, the EU continues to insist that all foreign troops, including from the Eritrean Defense Force, leave the Ethiopian territory immediately, without conditions and in an orderly fashion, contributing to a solution to the conflict which continues to produce human suffering on all sides at unprecedented scale.

The joint report of the OHCHR and the EHRC of 3 November 2021 notes serious human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law committed by all sides to the conflict in Ethiopia. It is paramount to investigate all violations and abuses, establish facts and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and that accountability is ensured.

As a member of this Council Eritrea has the duty to uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights. The EU therefore calls on Eritrea to implement a constitutional, legal and institutional frame-work for the promotion and protection of human rights and guarantee the exercise of human rights including freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

The EU calls on Eritrea to cooperate with Special Rapporteur Babiker, the special procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council, and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, and to grant them full and unhindered access upon request.

The EU stands ready to support Eritrea in this regard, and to continue its engagement with Eritrea and its people on the basis of a comprehensive and long term approach.

Dr. Babiker,

How can the international community best assist you in monitoring the human rights situation in Eritrea with a view to its improvement? How can we support you in your efforts regarding the implementation of the UPR recommendations which Eritrea has accepted.

Thank you.