EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive dialogue on human rights in Eritrea

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States. The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur for his work and continues to support his mandate. We continue to call on Eritrea to engage constructively with the Special Rapporteur and grant him full and unhindered access.

The report notes the profound impact of the indefinite national service on the human rights situation in Eritrea, as well as the patterns of transnational repression against the Eritrean diaspora. 

We note the progress made in the sphere of social rights in Eritrea as reported by the UN Country Team, notably in the areas of health and education, female genital mutilation, sexual and gender-based violence, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and collection of data about child protection. We strongly encourage Eritrea to continue strengthening its partnership with the United Nations. 

Nevertheless, we remain gravely concerned by the human rights situation in the country. The EU stresses the urgent need, in compliance with the UN Charter and Eritrea’s international obligations and commitments, to revise the practice of indefinite national service and arbitrary conscription. We also call to address all human rights violations including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture, and inhumane prison conditions, together with widespread impunity. 

We call on the Government of Eritrea to guarantee freedom of expression and opinion and freedom of peaceful assembly and association, in line with its international human rights obligations. 

The EU deplores the lack of accountability for human rights violations in Eritrea, and calls to implement the recommendations presented by human rights mechanisms, including the Commission of Inquiry on human rights in Eritrea. 

In line with OHCHR recommendations, we call on the Government of Eritrea to carry out credible, independent investigations into alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law committed during and after the war in Tigray region of Ethiopia in order to provide justice to all victims, including Eritreans who had found refuge in Ethiopia.

Mr Special Rapporteur, how can States enhance cooperation to protect individuals from transnational repression? 

How do you view the progress on human right in Eritrea in light of last year’s UPR and the recommendations to the Government

Thank you.