Human Rights Situation in Eritrea Remains Dire and the Authorities Choose to Maintain Practices which Perpetuate the Crisis, Special Rapporteur Tells Human Rights Council

Council Concludes Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on his Global Update

The Human Rights Council this morning started an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. The Council also concluded the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on his global update.

Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, said the human rights situation in Eritrea remained dire. Patterns of gross human rights violations, including the widespread use of arbitrary and incommunicado detention and enforced disappearance, persisted unabated. The authorities continued to enforce a system of indefinite national service that amounted to forced labour and had been consistently linked to torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

The Eritrean authorities had chosen to maintain policies and practices that perpetuated the human rights crisis in the country, Mr. Babiker said. If these persistent violations were not addressed, including by ensuring redress for victims, the cycle of suffering and repression would continue, stifling Eritrea’s potential for peace and development. Eritrea had expressed that the Universal Periodic Review was its preferred avenue for engagement on human rights issues. However, the vast majority of the recommendations from its third cycle review accepted by Eritrea remained unimplemented. He reiterated his willingness to engage constructively with Eritrea and to provide technical assistance.

Eritrea, speaking as a country concerned, said today, 20 June, was Eritrea’s Martyrs Day. Over 65,000 Eritrean citizens sacrificed their lives for its independence. Eritrea abhorred that once again, the very countries today sponsoring the resolution against Eritrea were the very same States that prolonged the border conflict by refusing to uphold their moral and legal obligations as guarantors and witnesses of the agreements signed. Those States that engineered the country-specific mandate, the nine-year-long illegal and unfair United Nations sanctions and ongoing unilateral coercive measures, in lieu of dialogue and solidarity, did not have the moral authority to talk about the promotion of human rights in Eritrea.

In the discussion, a speaker welcomed that some progress had been made in areas of health and education in Eritrea, but remained concerned by human rights violations in the State, including enforced disappearance, indefinite national service, restrictions on civic space, reprisals against human rights defenders, sexual and gender-based violence, and abuse of children.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Council concluded the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on his global update, which began yesterday. A summary can be found here.

In closing remarks, Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said speakers’ words of support for the High Commissioner’s Office and the United Nations were welcome in this difficult period. Human rights norms offered fundamental universal principles. The question was how they were implemented. There was a need to deepen the toolbox to promote their implementation. There was value in the human rights system at the global and regional levels. Continued political strategic support was needed from all States to ensure that human rights were strengthened. The Office needed a funding base to ensure that it could respond to reports of violations that it received on a daily basis.

In the discussion on the global update, speakers, among other things, said they strongly supported the Office on different issues, including accountability, combatting gender-based violence, and combatting racism and xenophobia. The fact that there were more than 90 country offices was evidence of the Office’s commitment to protecting human rights around the world. Today, more than ever, there was an urgent need to renew the commitment to the universality of all human rights, including the right to peace, the right to development, and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Some speakers expressed concern at the politicisation of the Office of the High Commissioner. No State was immune to human rights challenges; genuine cooperation free of politicisation and double standards was essential to advance the rights of all persons.

Speaking in the discussion on the High Commissioner’s global update were Bangladesh, Iran, Colombia, Sweden, Russian Federation, Croatia, Sovereign Order of Malta, Nigeria, Belarus, Malaysia, Georgia, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Viet Nam, Albania, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Brazil, Senegal, Cameroon, Cuba, South Africa, Paraguay, Austria, Yemen, Oman, Jordan, United Kingdom, Tanzania, Ghana, Romania, Libya, Kenya, Venezuela, Mali, Denmark, Gambia, State of Palestine, Sudan, Kazakhstan, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Montenegro, Thailand, Republic of Moldova, Uganda, Mozambique, Niger, Vanuatu, Lebanon, Ukraine, Germany, Argentina, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Bolivia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, India, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Nicaragua, Switzerland, Botswana, South Sudan, Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Tunisia, Iceland, Jamaica, Eritrea and Cabo Verde.

Also speaking were the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, as well as the following non-governmental organizations: World Jewish Congress, Maat for Peace, Justice for Iran, Ltd, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, American Civil Liberties Union, Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l'amitié entre les peuples, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, and Il Cenacolo.

Speaking in the discussion on Eritrea was the European Union.

The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-sixth regular session can be found here.

The Council will reconvene at 3 p.m. this afternoon to continue the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, to be followed by the presentation of the report of the Secretary-General on the Islamic Republic of Iran and the oral update of the High Commissioner on Nicaragua. The Council will then hold an interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Interactive Dialogue on the Global Update of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, presented his global update in a previous meeting and a summary can be found here. The first part of the discussion can be found here.

Discussion

In the continuing discussion, some speakers thanked the High Commissioner for his global update, which was a gloomy assessment of rights across the world. Many speakers emphasised that they shared the High Commissioner’s concerns regarding the widespread disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law being witnessed daily. Speakers acknowledged the role of the Office of the High Commissioner in supporting human rights.

They strongly supported the Office on different issues, including accountability, combatting gender-based violence, and combatting racism and xenophobia. The continuation of missions and field operations were supported, and States were encouraged to cooperate with the Office. The fact that there were more than 90 country offices was evidence of the commitment to protecting human rights around the world.

Many of those speaking said that they firmly stood behind the High Commissioner’s mandate and promoted the independence of his Office. Some speakers welcomed the Human Rights 75 initiative marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which allowed for an overview of what had been done to promote and protect human rights around the world. The commitments made by States there were a good basis and should be commended.

Most speakers spoke about human rights situations in countries around the world, especially those mentioned in the High Commissioner’s global update.

Despite the significant progress which had been made, there were multiple crises threating human rights around the world. Some speakers reiterated their deep shock at the heartbreaking global landscape being witnessed every day, characterised by a surge in conflict and violence, geopolitical divisions, inequalities and a lack of empathy in the face of human suffering, all accompanied by rhetoric of hatred and dehumanisation. Against this backdrop, human rights provided a pathway to find solutions to the most pressing challenges, revitalise multilateralism, and pave the way for social justice and lasting peace.

Today, more than ever, there was an urgent need to renew the commitment to the universality of all human rights, including the right to peace, the right to development, and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, while strengthening the human rights pillar of the United Nations through increased funding. One speaker echoed the High Commissioner's concerns about the increasing attacks, threats and smear campaigns on social media against his Office and the Special Procedures. These actions were unacceptable.

Some speakers expressed concern at the deterioration of access and the denial of aid in conflict situations across the world which severely undermined assistance to the poor and the marginalised. Improving access and delivery of humanitarian aid involved a multifaceted approach that included legal, diplomatic, and operational strategies. Measures should include obtaining safe passage for humanitarian and medical staff and the establishment of safe zones where civilians and aid workers could operate without the threat of violence. By implementing these strategies, the respect for human rights in conflict situations could be significantly improved, ensuring that humanitarian aid reached those who needed it most.

Speakers noted that the adverse impact of climate change was already having massive effects on the enjoyment of human rights, and welcomed the efforts of the Office of the High Commissioner to put in place climate polices which were human rights based.

Some speakers expressed concern at the politicisation of the Office of the High Commissioner. One speaker drew attention to the unilateral steps implemented by the Office, without the approval of the country concerned, and based on earmarked contributions, through which providers sought to turn the Office’s mandate into a tool for implementing their own goals. The speaker invited the High Commissioner to make serious efforts to rectify this approach, and advance the independence of the Office so that it could be a credible partner in the efforts to protect and promote human rights.

Another speaker noted with concern the polarisation and politicisation of the Council, with double standards, particularly regarding strategic interests, the sovereignty of States, and the integrity of their national territory. A speaker expressed concern at mechanisms which were supposedly independent, but instead established politicised mandates against specific country. No State was immune to human rights challenges; genuine cooperation free of politicisation and double standards was essential to advance the rights of all persons. National priorities must be respected on the basis of human rights.

One speaker called for a reform of the Security Council and the World Bank. These, amongst other initiatives, would bring about a more inclusive world. There needed to be more cooperation between States, non-State actors and the United Nations to promote human rights around the world, including the right to development. The Council should put more emphasis on the protection of minority rights, another speaker said. Technical assistance and capacity building should be available to States in need to create an availing environment for human rights.

The ongoing liquidity crisis was posing significant challenges to engagement at the United Nations levels. Concern was expressed at the impact of the liquidity crisis on the effective functioning of United Nations treaty bodies and protective mechanisms. The Council’s decision on remote participation modalities was welcomed. One speaker called for the adoption of all necessary measures to ensure the provision of online live modalities in all in-person meetings of the Human Rights Council.

Concluding Remarks by the High Commissioner for Human Rights

VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said speakers’ words of support for the High Commissioner’s Office and the United Nations were welcome in this difficult period. It was important for Member States to stand up for the institutions that they had created.

Mr. Türk said he had raised serious concerns in his global update because he meant them. His concerns were based on the analysis of his Office. His Office would continue to report on engagement with States that led to tangible results.

All were facing a world of incredible complexity and a high level of uncertainty. In some instances, acts of war could lead to undesired further escalation. Mr. Türk feared that all were losing the art of de-escalation and the ability to promote peace.

The Security Council was part of the inequity in the world today. Mr. Türk expressed hope that Security Council reform and reform of the Bretton Woods institutions would continue in a manner that reflected the world that everyone saw today. The world could not master the challenges it faced if it was not based on a clear commitment to human rights.

Mr. Türk said he had received a hand-written letter from a 14-year-old human rights defender from Colombia, who was concerned about what was happening in the world. It was everyone’s task to face these concerns. Human rights guided all, offering signposts and a direction of travel. Human rights norms offered fundamental universal principles. The question was how they were implemented. This was a question that had become much more urgent. All needed to deepen their toolboxes to promote their implementation.

There was value in the human rights system as a whole at the global and regional levels. Mr. Türk would next week engage with the Council of Europe, and had engaged in dialogue with various regional human rights mechanisms across the globe. All institutions needed to address issues of impunity and human rights violations. His Office was continuing to engage in dialogue with the disarmament bodies of the United Nations, including through an upcoming panel discussion, as disarmament and human rights promotion were interlinked.

All needed to be constantly self-critical in how to overcome polarisation. The seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had seen clear commitments from many States and organizations to address human rights issues and polarisation. Human rights could not be implemented selectively. Many speakers had raised concerns about the inconsistent application of international human rights law. The same legal standards needed to be applied everywhere. The victims of the most serious human rights violations around the world deserved equal attention. These rights needed to be protected and respected rather than ignored and denigrated. This meant adherence to binding international legal obligations and open-handed support to the international institutions that States had created.

The Office had consistently raised concerns regarding reprisals against its staff and would continue to do so. The Office would also continue its work on examining the effects of unilateral coercive measures. More data was needed in this regard, but their negative impact on human rights was apparent.

Mr. Türk said he had embarked on a change-management process to ensure that his Office could better promote international human rights. Human rights were not an issue of interference in domestic affairs. Pressure was needed from outside for things to change for the better. The process of dismantling apartheid could not have occurred without outside pressure. Human rights challenged the status quo and unhealthy, repressive power dynamics. Individual human rights defenders, because of their determination, were ensuring that these situations were properly addressed. Mr. Türk said he was increasingly concerned about the targeting of these persons.

Efforts to promote change had to take place outside of geopolitical concerns. Continued political strategic support was needed from all States to ensure that human rights were strengthened. The Office needed a funding base to ensure that it could respond to reports of violations that it received on a daily basis. They could not pretend that the United Nations’ financial situation was business as usual; the situation was very grave. The High Commissioner’s Office had a shortfall of 43 million United States dollars this year, and was being forced to cut some of its key functions. Reform of the treaty bodies system was ongoing. There would be important discussions at the General Assembly later this year on this reform, and Mr. Türk hoped that States would support these efforts.

The Summit of the Future would make a strong call for the human rights pillar of the United Nations to be strengthened. All needed to overcome biases and prejudices against the human rights system and strengthen its ability to deliver on its mandate.

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea

Report

The Council has before it the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea (A/HRC/56/24).

Presentation of Report

MOHAMED ABDELSALAM BABIKER, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, said the human rights situation in Eritrea remained dire. Patterns of gross human rights violations, including the widespread use of arbitrary and incommunicado detention and enforced disappearance, persisted unabated. The authorities continued to enforce a system of indefinite national service that amounted to forced labour and had been consistently linked to torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. Fundamental freedoms were systematically repressed. These were all issues that had been raised time and again by international and regional human rights mechanisms, but there were no indications of any measures taken to improve the human rights situation in any of these areas. The Eritrean authorities had chosen to maintain policies and practices that perpetuated the human rights crisis in the country. If these persistent violations were not addressed, including by ensuring redress for victims, the cycle of suffering and repression would continue, stifling Eritrea’s potential for peace and development.

Two years on from the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, of which Eritrea was notably not a party, Eritrean forces remained present and continued to be involved in human rights and international humanitarian law violations in parts of the Tigray region of Ethiopia, including extrajudicial killings, kidnappings, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and forced labour. This situation placed peace in the region at risk and contributed to the re-traumatisation of victims and the ongoing commission of grave human rights violations. Mr. Babiker urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to respect the terms of the 2002 decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, as agreed by both States as part of the 2018 Peace Agreement, and stressed that in this context, the rights of residents and original peoples from contested areas needed to also be duly protected and prioritised.

Today, the Government of Eritrea was celebrating its annual commemoration of Martyrs’ Day. However, the families of thousands of Eritreans who had been disappeared since the onset of the Tigray conflict were still waiting to hear about their fate. Mr. Babiker called on the authorities to provide official information to families of victims, who had the right to know.

Due process rights continued to be systematically violated. Cases considered politically sensitive were handled extrajudicially. Hundreds of detainees, including dissidents, government critics, human rights defenders, religious leaders, journalists, and draft evaders continued to be arbitrarily detained for indefinite and prolonged periods without ever being charged or tried, and in conditions that violated their human dignity. Mr. Babiker called for the immediate release of all those currently arbitrarily detained, and for the establishment of proper due process safeguards.

Civic space continued to be completely closed in Eritrea, characterised by the severe curtailment of freedom of expression, association and assembly. The Government tightly controlled all aspects of public life. There was no independent media, no independent civil society organizations, and no political opposition parties operating within the country. Dissent was systematically suppressed, including through the arbitrary detention or enforced disappearance of real or perceived government critics. Religious repression had continued to escalate in Eritrea over the past year. Several prominent religious leaders had remained arbitrarily imprisoned for extended periods, some for almost 20 years. Mr. Babiker was also concerned over the Government’s interference in the affairs of religious institutions, in particular of the Orthodox Church, both in Eritrea and in the diaspora.

Eritrean authorities had reached across borders in efforts to control diaspora politics and silence pro-democracy activists, journalists, political opponents and human rights defenders. The mandate had identified evolving patterns of transnational repression, including through kidnappings and enforced disappearances, surveillance, violence, threats, harassment, smear campaigns, social isolation, and the refusal of consular services. Over the past year and a half, there had been an escalation of violence and polarisation in the diaspora. Clashes between Eritrean Government supporters and detractors in dozens of cities across the globe had resulted in several Eritreans killed, hundreds injured, dozens arrested, and public property being destroyed. Just since September 2023, five Eritreans had been killed in Israel. This violence needed to stop. Eritrea needed to refrain from exercising undue interference in the lives of Eritreans in the diaspora and respect their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. He also called on Member States to ensure the protection of the rights of demonstrators, as well as those of festivalgoers, and to effectively address transnational repression and protect Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers.

Eritreans continued to flee the grave human rights situation in the country, with an estimated 17 per cent of the population having sought asylum abroad as of 2024. The overall deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in the Horn of Africa compounded Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers’ vulnerability to trafficking in persons, kidnapping and extortion. The situation of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia had deteriorated severely, with roundups, mass detention of Eritreans, and summary expulsion to Eritrea. The conflict in Sudan had caused internal displacement as well as onwards displacement to neighbouring countries of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers. Eritrean refugees and migrant women and girls were also subjected to grave violations in Khartoum and in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces, including sexual violence, kidnapping, domestic servitude and sexual slavery. Further, asylum and migratory policy trends in host countries were increasingly placing Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers under pressure, exacerbating their vulnerability and resulting in the infringement of their rights. Mr. Babiker called on Member States to exercise solidarity and ensure their protection. He also called on them to maintain international scrutiny of Eritrea and facilitate access to justice for Eritrean victims of human rights violations.

Eritrea had expressed that the Universal Periodic Review was its preferred avenue for engagement on human rights issues. Mr. Babiker welcomed Eritrea’s participation in its fourth review cycle in May this year. However, the vast majority of the recommendations from its third cycle review that had been accepted by Eritrea remained unimplemented. Particularly significant gaps and grave concerns remained in the areas of impunity; conditions of detention; freedom of thought, conscience and religion; freedom of opinion and expression; and administration of justice and fair trial. Beyond its participation in the Universal Periodic Review, there was no engagement or cooperation with international and African human rights mechanisms during the reporting period.

Mr. Babiker reiterated his willingness to engage constructively with Eritrea and to provide technical assistance. He urged the Eritrean Government to take decisive and immediate action to address the pressing human rights issues facing the country. By taking meaningful steps towards reform, Eritrea could pave the way for a society where human rights were respected, and every individual could thrive.

Statement by Country Concerned

Eritrea, speaking as a country concerned, said it was with a heavy heart that it brought to the attention of the Council that the annual ritual of demonizing Eritrea coincided with Eritrea’s Martyrs’ Day. This Day held immense historical importance, symbolising the sacrifice and relentless struggle for independence and social justice. Seventy-four years ago, the inalienable right of the Eritrean people to self-determination was sacrificed for the strategic interests of some members of the Council. The atrocities endured by the Eritrean people were too gruesome to mention. Ultimately, the fight became not only for independence but also for the principles of social justice, equality, and human rights.

When peaceful political efforts bore no result, the armed struggle commenced in 1961. In the three decades that ensued, Eritreans waged one of the longest, bloodiest and loneliest liberation wars to which most countries of the core group were vehemently opposed. Eritreans won de facto independence by force in 1991 and de jure independence after legitimising it through a United Nations-monitored referendum in 1993. Over 65,000 Eritrean citizens sacrificed their lives for its independence. Eritrea abhorred that once again the very countries today sponsoring the resolution against Eritrea were the very same States that prolonged the border conflict by refusing to uphold their moral and legal obligations as guarantors and witnesses of the Agreements signed.

Eritrea's national service programme would celebrate its thirtieth anniversary this year, and the thousands who had undergone the programme were laying the foundations for Eritrea's development. It was ironic that countries today would shed crocodile tears about the prolonged national service programme, when they were instrumental in its prolonging and misrepresentation. Those States in this chamber that engineered the country-specific mandate, the nine-year-long illegal and unfair United Nations sanctions and ongoing unilateral coercive measures, in lieu of dialogue and solidarity, did not have the moral authority to talk about the promotion of human rights in Eritrea. Eritreans had profound respect for their martyrs. Today stood as a perpetual tribute to their sacrifices, inspiring generations to uphold the values of independence, peace, and social justice.

Discussion

In the ensuing dialogue, a speaker welcomed that some progress had been made in areas of health and education in Eritrea. The speaker remained concerned by human rights violations in the State, including enforced disappearance, indefinite national service, restrictions on civic space, reprisals against human rights defenders, sexual and gender-based violence, and abuse of children. Most recommendations from Eritrea’s Universal Periodic Review remained unimplemented. The speaker called for these to be immediately addressed.

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