EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Mr Mohamed Abdelsalam BABIKER

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 over these years and will continue to support this mandate at this time of change. We continue to call on Eritrea to engage constructively with the Human Rights Council and the new Special Rapporteur and grant the mandate full and unhindered access.

The EU notes continued efforts to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation and maternal mortality. The EU has welcomed Eritrea’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2025 and stands ready to support Eritrea in its swift implementation. The EU encourages Eritrea to make full use of cooperation with OHCHR, including considering inviting further technical assistance and capacity building.

We welcome the release of some arbitrarily detained persons, and call on the Government to continue the releases. The whereabouts those disappeared in the past must be revealed.

The EU welcomes Eritrea’s cooperation with the Human Rights Council during the Universal Periodic Review and in particular Eritrea’s acceptance of 126 recommendations.

However, the challenges are still many, and we remain gravely concerned by the human rights situation in the country, as indicated by the Special Rapporteur. The lack of progress, and persisting structural impunity, strongly underline the need to maintain monitoring and reporting.

A particular concern is the continued practice of long-term national service and widespread conscription, as well as reports of gender-based violence and forced labour. The right to conscientious objection must be respected. We are also particularly concerned about reports of transnational repression voiced by Eritreans in the diaspora, including the targeting of human rights defenders and government critics.

Recent tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia raise the spectre of renewed conflict. In view of this, the EU reiterates its call for immediate de-escalation on all fronts and urges those involved to refrain from actions or rhetoric which could increase tensions. The EU stresses that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States must be respected by all parties involved. The EU is encouraging Eritrea to accede to the UNCLOS Convention which would strengthen Eritrea’s sovereign rights over its coastlines and ports, whilst at the same time providing a predictable basis under international law for peaceful transit and trade agreements with its neighbouring States – on an equal footing and by mutual consent.

Mr Special Rapporteur.

How do you view the potential of the international community to engage more with human rights in Eritrea?

Thank you.