GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed grave concern about ongoing patterns of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances in Eritrea, which have been occurring with impunity since 1991.
“For over 35 years, Eritreans have faced arbitrary arrests and detentions, often without charges or trial. They have been denied access to family, legal counsel, and judicial protection,” the experts said. “In hundreds of cases, the fate and whereabouts of persons deprived of their liberty remain unknown, inflicting ongoing anguish and distress on their families and communities.”
The experts highlighted the case of Bitweded Abraha, a veteran of Eritrea’s independence movement and former senior Government official.
“Mr. Abraha’s case is emblematic,” they said. “He was first arrested on 6 October 1991 and reportedly continues to be arbitrarily detained 35 years later.”
In 2018, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention determined that his detention was arbitrary and called for his immediate release and reparations in Opinion No. 80/2018.
Since September 2001, several former senior government officials, often known as the G-15, and journalists have been detained, such as Seyoum Tsehaye and Dawit Isaak, with their fate and whereabouts still unknown more than 25 years later, the experts said.
Many others have been detained for their faith, including Muslim and Christian leaders. Between 1991 and 1997, in 2005-2006 and again in 2013, hundreds of Muslim religious leaders were forcibly disappeared, mainly in the Gash-Barka and Northern Red Sea regions. They include Judge Mohamed Maranet as well as imams, teachers and community figures.
Seven Christian leaders have been held incommunicado, without charge, for more than two decades, including Haile Naizge, Kidane Weldou, Kiflu Gebremeskel, Meron Gebreselassie, Futsum Gebrenegus, Tekleab Menghisteab and Gebremedhin Gebregiorgis.
“The widespread or systematic use of prolonged arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and religious persecution may constitute crimes against humanity,” the experts said.
They called on the Eritrean Government to promptly and unconditionally free all individuals arbitrarily detained.
“Eritrean authorities must disclose the fate and whereabouts of those reported as disappeared, access for families and legal representatives, and thorough, independent, impartial and effective investigations to ensure accountability and provide proper remedies and adequate measures of reparation,” the experts said. “Hundreds of families live with the agony of uncertainty. They, and society at large, have a right to know the truth about their loved ones.”
They called on Eritrean authorities to stop these practices, protect fundamental rights, and ensure justice and accountability for victims and their families.
