Amnesty International has urged the UN Human Rights Council to condemn the forced return of Eritrean refugees due to severe human rights abuses in Eritrea and host nations. Reports indicate numerous violations against Eritrean nationals in Ethiopia and Sudan. The principle of non-refoulement should be upheld to protect these refugees from harm in their home country, where a human rights crisis persists.
Amnesty International has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to denounce the forced repatriation of Eritrean refugees during its 58th session, which scrutinized the human rights situation in Eritrea. The organization emphasized the severe human rights abuses faced by these refugees, who cannot safely return to Eritrea or live in host countries due to ongoing attacks and persecution. Amnesty urged UNHRC member states to uphold international law by ensuring the protection of these refugees from forced repatriation, arbitrary detention, and other forms of abuse.
The rights group reported that Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia have suffered numerous abuses, with Ethiopian authorities forcibly deporting hundreds of Eritreans in the last three months. In Sudan, Eritrean nationals have also endured human rights violations amid the conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, which has led to the displacement of both Sudanese and Eritrean individuals. Furthermore, the RSF has been implicated in committing grave human rights offenses against Eritrean women and girls, including acts of sexual violence and forced domestic servitude.
Amnesty International also condemned the forced return of Eritrean refugees from Turkey, highlighting the genuine threats of torture, arbitrary detention, and other human rights violations they face upon their return. The principle of non-refoulement, as outlined in Article 33 of the 1951 Convention on Refugees, strictly prohibits the expulsion of refugees to areas where they face serious risks to their safety.
Eritrea continues to endure a severe human rights crisis stemming from governmental repression, characterized by censorship, forced labor, and indefinite conscription. Although national service is legally required for 18 months for both men and women, the duration has been expanded to years during national emergencies, often resulting in open-ended military service. This ongoing situation is a significant driving force behind Eritreans fleeing the country, as draft evaders risk punishment for themselves and their families. The mobilization of citizens intensified significantly in 2022 when Eritrean forces joined the conflict in Tigray alongside Ethiopian military forces.
In summary, the UN Human Rights Council is urged to take a firm stance against the forced return of Eritrean refugees, as detailed by Amnesty International. The ongoing human rights violations faced by these individuals in both Eritrea and neighboring countries underscore the need for international protection and adherence to the principle of non-refoulement. Eritrea’s continuing humanitarian crisis, marked by oppressive government policies and military conscription, remains a significant factor driving refugees to seek safety elsewhere.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
