HRC 32 - EU Intervention: Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea
Mr. President, distinguished Members of the Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea,
The European Union would like to thank you for your work in gathering evidence and testimonies on the basis of a high number of confidential interviews and written submissions. We regret that the Government of Eritrea did not grant the Commission access to the country to conduct its work.
While acknowledging the practical difficulties for the Commission of Inquiry to gather clear evidence on alleged human rights violations over a period of 25 years, the European Union takes not of the Commission of Inquiry's findings that there are reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed in Eritrea since 1991. The EU is deeply concerned that various human rights violations have been committed against Eritreans whilst carrying out national service, or as a punishment for attempting to avoid it. The EU recalls that those responsible for human rights violations, wherever they may occur, should be held accountable and brought to justice.
The EU notes the recommendations contained in the report, including the proposed request to the UN Security Council to refer the situation of Eritrea to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the suggestion to impose targeted sanctions, and the establishment of an accountability mechanism under AU auspices. We also note the recommendation that Ethiopia and Eritrea should implement the findings of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission. The EU is also particularly mindful that the CoI recommends strengthened engagement of the international community with the Government of Eritrea.
The EU considers that a conditional policy of engagement with Eritrea can contribute to inducing the reforms needed to improve the human rights situation and the livelihoods of the people in Eritrea.
The EU invites the African Union to get involved on the issue of HR in Eritrea via its appropriate institutions. The EU urges Eritrea to take concrete measures to improve the human rights situation, in cooperation with the OHCHR and in particular through the implementation of the UPR recommendations. The EU stands ready to help Eritrea in these efforts, has allocated funds for this purpose under the 11th EDF and is in discussion with the GSE about a specific programme.
Finally, we call on Eritrea to fully cooperate with all international human rights mechanisms, and to continue and increase its cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to urgently address the human rights situation in the country.
Questions for the CoI:
1) Apparently, in 2015 the Commission had not enough evidence to state in its report that there are reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed since 1991. Could the Commission indicate what additional evidence it has found since its 2015 report to support the current finding about possible crimes against humanity?
2) Could you please elaborate more on the kind of assistance that the international community should grant the Eritrean Authorities to improve the situation of human rights on the ground?