UK Parliamentarians hear Evidence of Human Rights abuse in Eritrea
EHDR-UK,
14 July 2006
Three UK based human rights organisations gave
evidence at a hearing on the human rights situation in Eritrea, which was
held by the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission at the Palace of
Westminster on the 12th of July 2006.
During the hearing Gary Streeter MP, Chair of
the Human Rights Commission, emphasised that as well as hearing evidence
presented on the day, the Commission would be carrying out an in depth
investigation and would discuss its findings at a meeting to which the
Eritrean Ambassador to the UK would be invited.
 Presenting
evidence at today’s proceedings were; Mr Noel Joseph Executive Director of
EHDR-UK, Ms Selam Kidane Co-ordinator at Release Eritrea UK, Dr Berhane
Asmelash Director of Release Eritrea and Dr Khataza Gondwe Research and
Advocacy Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
In addition to providing background
information and a general overview of the social and political contexts
that are at play in Eritrea, the presentations addressed the gross human
rights abuses from various angles. The panellists presented their
concerns, backing their assertions with video evidence, testimonies,
international court rulings and resolutions, as well as historical and
documentary proofs.
Presentations were followed by a set of
recommendations appealing to the Commission to work with other
parliamentarians and members of the international community to address the
gross human rights violations occurring in Eritrea with particular
reference to the plight of dissidents, journalists, members of minority
faiths and military conscripts, as well as the tens of thousands that have
sought refuge outside Eritrea. There was also a strong call for the
commission to use its leverage to facilitate the implementation of the
Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission ruling which remains unresolved over
five years after the peace accord was signed.
Closing the proceedings the Commissioners
expressed their appreciation for the insight they had received and invited
the wider group of participants to provide additional evidence in writing.
The panel made up of members of the
above-mentioned organisations closed the session by urging the Commission
to use their leverage to ensure:
-
The
Facilitation of as a matter of urgency the demarcation of Eritrea's
border with Ethiopia in line with the international ruling, in order to
ensure that this issue no longer serves as a justification for continued
repression
-
The
immediate implementation of Eritrea’s ratified constitution and the
return of all of the rights outlined within it, including the Freedoms
of Conscience, Religion, Expression of Opinion, Movement, Assembly and
Organisation. The Eritrean government should also be urged to respect
the right of conscientious objection to armed service, and to end the
practice of indefinitely extending the legally stipulated 18 month term
of military service
-
An End
to Arbitrary Arrest and Indefinite Detention without Charge. The
Eritrean government should be persuaded to either bring detainees to
trial before recognised courts of law - which should include the
presence of international observers to ensure justice and impartiality -
or set them free
-
The
urgent granting of unlimited and unhindered access to all detainees for
the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the European Union
(EU) Delegation in Asmara and/or any other competent international body
-
Access
for all detainees to immediate family members, and to medical treatment
and legal representation
-
Encourage Eritrea to both sign and ratify the United Nations Convention
against Torture (CAT). This should not cause undue hardship to the
government, since Eritrea has acceded to treaties that prohibit this
reprehensible practice, namely, the ICCPR (Article 7) and the African
Charter (Article 5)
With
specific regard to the government of the United Kingdom, we ask as a
matter of urgency that HMG would
-
Thoroughly investigate any reports of intimidation or harassment of the
Eritrean Diaspora in the United Kingdom by elements supportive of the
Eritrean government
-
Ensure
that asylum seekers from Eritrea receive a more sympathetic hearing than
they have so far received, for a result of the government’s obsessive
attempts to control every aspect of society and to forcibly repress even
the mildest form of dissent, the overwhelming majority of people who
have fled that country have an extremely well founded fear of being
persecuted should they return there.
EHDR- UK-
Eritreans for human and democratic rights, is a human rights organisation
in the UK that advocates for the respect of Human rights of Eritreans in
and outside Eritrea
Release
Eritrea is a human rights organisation set up by Eritreans to promote
religious freedom in Eritrea
Christian
Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a human rights organisation, which
specialises in religious liberty for all.
Further
details can be found at the
Conservative Party's Human Rights Commission website.
|
