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Home  English  Focus  THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS - Report by Suwera Centre for Human Rights  
THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ‐ Report by Suwera
Rights  
  
Suwera Centre for Human Rights 
SCHR  
THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS 
in Eritrea 
2008  
  
  
  
  
   
Eritrea : Basic Facts 
Official Name: The State of Eritrea.  
Date of Independence :The Ethiopian occupation army was pushed out of the country in 
struggle, but Eritrea officially gained  its independence from Ethiopia on 24th of May 199
auspices of the United Nations. 
Geographically: Location: East of Africa, on the western coast of the Red Sea; borders w
on the north and west and Djibouti on the south east .It has a coastline of more than 1000 k
kilometers. Capital City: Asmara. 
Population: It had a population of approximately 5 million in 2008 with  an annual growt
Economy: National currency: Nakfa. GDP: 1.2 billion in 2007 with growth rate of .8%, G
Political system: Although Eritrea's constitution which was ratified in 1997 institutes and 
political system, the current system a one party regime under the absolute control of the PF
CONTACT USብዛዕባ ኣሰናENGLISHትግርኛASENA RADIOHOME
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He has remained in office since independence. No national elections have  been conducted
Human Rights Conventions that Eritrea is party to: 
Eritrea is a state party to the following core Human Rights treaties: 
1/  Convention on the Rights of the Child( CRC), August 1994. 
2/ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDA
3/ International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESR),April 2001
4/ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), JULY 2
5/ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights   
(ICCPR) June 2002. 
Eritrea is not party to the Convention against Torture andOther  Cruel, Inhuman or D
is it a  party to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of AllMi g
Families. Also it is not party to theConvention on the Rights o f Persons with Disabilit
  
  
  
List of Abbreviations 
AI         Amnesty International 
ARRA        Administration of Refugees and Repatriation Authority   
AU            African Union 
CEDAW     Convention on Elimination of all forms of 
                   Discrimination against Women                                          
COR         Sudan Commission of Refugees 
CR              Care and Relief 
CSW           Christian Solidarity Worldwide  
ELF              Eritrean Liberation Front 
EDA             Eritrean Democratic Alliance 
FGM        Female Genital Mutilation 
GDP            General Domestic product   
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GER         General Enrollment Rate 
HIV/AID     Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquire  
                   Immune Deficiency Syndrome 
HMW         Hotline for Migrant Workers      
HRW        Human Rights Watch 
ICDIP          International Centre for the Development of 
                   Immigration Policies 
 ICR              Italian Council of Refugees          
IGAD           Inter Governmental Authority on Development 
IMC         International Medical Corps 
IOP              International Organization for Peace 
IPS               International Press Services  
IRC               International Rescue Committee 
NRDP            National Relief and Development Program 
NUEW          National union of Eritrean women 
NSP              National Service Program 
ODO             Open Doors Organization 
PFDJ          Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice 
RRF             Refugees Rights Forum 
RSF          Reporters Sans Frontières 
SC           Security Council 
SCHR           Suwera Centre for Human Rights 
UNHCR         United Nations High Commission for Refugees 
UNMEE        United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea 
UNHRC       United Nations Human Rights Council 
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WFP            World Food Program 
WHO          World Health Organization 
ZOA             Netherland's Refugee Care  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The State of Human Rights in Eritrea, 2008 
Introduction 
This is the third report issued by the Suwera Centre for Human Rights (SCHR). The first r
developments in the implementation of human rights in Eritrea since its liberation. The sec
human rights in Eritrea during 2006, was issued in April 2007. The third report for the yea
reasons beyond the capacity of the Centre to be resolved. Nevertheless, this report, which 
the 2008, includes also the most important human rights developments and events of the y
As was the case with the previous issues, the SCHR again had to work from outside Eritre
country does not allow human rights organizations, whether national or international, to w
changed circumstances which affected mobility and freedom of work, the Centre this time
in collecting the materials and data of this report than in  preparing the two previous issue
the team of field work had performed its assignments and duties with highly commendabl
juncture, we feel obliged to express our special thanks and appreciation to those who help
circumstances. Special mention should be made of the friends of the Centre in Australia w
moral and material support alongside the friends in Sweden, and the Eritrean League for N
considerable financial support. Our deep thanks also go to Dr. Mohammed Khair Omar in
support to the Centre. 
Because of working mainly from abroad, the report does not contain detailed events and d
though it highlights the most important events in the human rights context through intervie
escapees from Eritrea, and by visits of our field teams to the refugee camps in Sudan and E
made use, of the reports issued by international organizations concerned with the social an
these world organizations are: the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, U
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the reports of the UN on human develop
committees concerned with monitoring the application of the conventions on human rights
international organizations concerned with the defense of human rights, especially those re
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Egypt, Israel, Libya and Europe in addition to reports of specialized organizations which e
the information and statistics in the report were taken from reports issued by the Eritrean g
Eritrea is considered as one of the poorest states of the world. Its situation is worsened a
human development. In the 2006 report, Eritrea was the 164th state down the list o
Throughout the past years, Eritrea faced acute food shortage. Since interdependence, it ha
needs annually. In a survey conducted by the International Institute for Food Policy, Eritre
whose people suffered from acute and chronic food problems.(2) Due to this food shortage
from malnutrition.(3) 
Eritrea's weak economy continued its decline. The country's worth from its exports of com
29.6 million US dollars in 1997 to only 7 millions US dollars in 2007. The per capita inco
US dollars i.e. less than one dollar per day. (4) 
The government's expenditures on health services, compared to the gross domestic produc
4.5% in 2006.(5) Eritrea occupied the 174th position out of 179 states in the total enrollme
and university levels of education.(6) In 2003, Eritrea occupied the first rank in the world a
GDP.(7) Likewise, Eritrea was only second to Israel in the world for having the largest num
with its total population. (8) 
Despite the fact that Eritrea is party to many international conventions and agreements per
are considered the worst violator of these rights in the world. Eritrea is party and signatory
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as well as of the International Convention of Civil a
government bans its citizens from forming trade unions and from securing fair wages. It a
vacations, the right for promotion and their right of resigning office and looking for a bette
The government does not give any priority vital development issues including those of soc
because of its tyrannical and whimsical behavior in implementing the National Service Pro
youths fled the country to neighboring states and from there they ventured on dangerous a
led to the death of hundreds during the past years. 
The increasing number of those fleeing the country as refugees entailed profound and dan
lives of people inside Eritrea. 
The Eritrean government is tightening its ban and restrictions on political freedom. It keep
government, monitoring its performance, holding it accountable to an elected legislative b
methods. 
In addition, the Eritrean government does not respect its citizens' civil and fundamental rig
Eritreans. It practices torture in its prisons. It limits freedom of movement, and violates its
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restricts religious freedoms, and imposes tight restraints on citizens' religious practices and
reason of practicing religion, and intervenes in the administration of the religious institutio
freedom in the country. A report issued by the Reporters without Boarders(RSF) considere
press freedom in the year 2007.(9) 
Furthermore, Eritrea is the only state in Africa without private press. 
On another level, despite Eritrea's ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
measures or enacted the pertinent laws necessitated by the convention. 
Instead, the government committed violations against children such as recruiting them for
to the NSP and banning their travel outside the country. The Committee on  the Rights of 
observations and remarks on the Eritrean government's report on implementation of the pr
discussed in its New York meeting of 2nd June 2008. 
The government is ignoring of the children's concerns and interests. In this respect, we fin
states in Africa with respect of children's care according to the report on children's welfare
Though Eritrea is party to the Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination ag
discrimination and violence against women are still continuing. The rate of girls’ enrollme
decreased as well as the rate of their attendance to schools especially in intermediate and s
women in work is in retreat in addition to the health care given to them. However, violenc
trend, especially violence that practiced or legalized by the government. 
In conclusion, this SCHR report includes five sections and recommendations. The first sec
fundamental freedoms and civil rights. This includes six themes as subdivisions, which are
trade union activities, religious freedoms, freedoms of speech, expression and the press, re
freedom of travel and movement in addition to the issue of the violations in the implement
deals with discrimination and violence against women. The third deals with arbitrary arres
deals with the situation of Eritrean refugees in different parts of the world. The fifth deals 
international community to violations of human rights in Eritrea. The report is concluded w
concerned circles and organizations as to the situation of human rights in Eritrea. 
The objectives of the Centre in issuing annual reports are not only to monitor the violation
and the evaluation and assessment of its compliance with national laws and international a
undertaking and task of formulating a viable work programme for confronting those violat
hopes that this present report would be a credible reference for human rights activists and 
developments of the situation of human rights   and help in forming a data base with this u
hopes that its report would contribute to clarifying and defining the size of the challenges 
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Eritrea to the regional and international humanitarian conscience and accordingly help in c
conditions for the emergence of an international solidarity to confront them. The Centre al
Eritrean activists and their organizations and other friends in the distribution and reprintin
the desired impact. 
Finally, we say thank you to all friends who have made the publication of this report possi
support. Thanks are also extended to the friends who have corrected and revised the report
who translated it to English and those who revised the English version of the SCHR report
thanks and heartfelt gratitude for their generosity, patience, dedication and their noble hum
  
  
Suwera Centre for Human Rights  
July 2009  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Section One 
Civil and Political Rights 
The Eritrean Government continued its violations of the civil and political rights of its citi
stated in its suspended Constitution of 1977 and also stipulated in the International Conven
the government acceded to on 22 June, 2002. The government pursued its repressive polic
made against it during the past years by the national and international human rights organi
the world community. 
1/Freedoms of Practicing Political and Trade Unionist Activities: 
The People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), the ruling party in the country, con
political abuses during the year 2008. The government of the PFDJ didn’t allow the presen
Accordingly, it arrested all those whom it suspected of having opposing stands. The Const
been shelved since its approval. No general elections have been conducted in the country s
of state of Eritrea has been monopolizing all powers and authorities, i.e. he is the head of s
speaker of parliament and the head of the ruling party, PFDJ. All the military and security
President didn’t declare his intention of stepping down from power at any time or organizi
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candidates to succeed him in office. The non-elected parliament didn’t meet since Februar
President Isaias Afwerki, to meet for the condemnation of the group of reformists (G-15).
During 2008, the government didn’t allow the establishment of any independent trade unio
ruling party proceeded in its monopoly of trade union activities including those of student
institutions. The ruling party deprived the civil service employees of their rights of having
these employees were prohibited from resigning their jobs. And instead of applying work 
authorities put those who absented themselves from work for some reasons in prison and w
psychological torture. 
Due to the banning of any opposition activity within the country, opposition to the govern
especially in neighboring countries, Europe, North America and Australia. Furthermore, o
unity within the framework of EDA subsequent to its convening of a unification conferenc
reemphasized and underscored its demands of democracy and respect of human rights. 
The Eritrean communities, the civil society organizations and the political opposition grou
activities such as sit-ins, marches and gatherings for exposing the government’s non-abati
The popular opposition demanded and called for establishing a democratic system of gove
2/ Religious Freedoms: 
The government recognizes only four religious groups in Eritrea: Islam, the Orthodox, Ca
context, the government demanded from the rest of religious denominations in May 2002 
Affairs in the Ministry of Local Government. However, despite the fact that many of these
for registration at the said Department after meeting all the required conditions, none of th
these religious bodies which are not recognized by the government remained to be conside
On the other hand, the Mufti who is the principal religious leader for Muslems, remained i
elected for the job by the Aukaf Council but appointed by the government because of his a
obedience to its orders. The government prohibited any criticism to him from the follower
many people have been arrested due to their differences with him over religious matters or
Islamic Aucaf affairs. Hundreds of Muslems who have been arrested at the beginning of th
because of their alleged sympathy with the Jihad movement are still under detention. The
sympathy was the outward religious appearances of their long beards  and of wearing jalab
the teachers who used to teach at the religious institutes. All these have remained under ar
the end of 2008 it was not known whether they are still alive or dead. 
Also tens of the followers of  the sect of   Ansar Al-Sunnat are still languishing in detentio
however, renewed its crack down on them and its campaign in August 2008 led to the arbi
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members. The government continued the imposition of unjust restrictions on the Islamic r
of Islamic charity organizations in the country. In addition, it is keeping the accounts, asse
Council under the government's own tight control. 
The restrictions imposed by the government on the Orthodox Church are still continuing. T
legitimate Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, is still under house arrest until end of 2008. H
(Council) under the directives  of the government replacing him with another person. The 
detention those priests who have been arrested  because of their reformist ideas which they
illegal detention had been the root cause of the conflict and differences between the Patria
Besides, the other two churches recognized by the government, i.e. Catholic Church and L
exposed to various restrictions and severe measures such as confiscations of their properti
to the non-Christian sects that are not registered, the government continued arresting their 
accusation of practicing unauthorized religious rites or performing marriage ceremonies o
occasions. 
Hundreds of the followers of these sects remained in prisons until the end of the year 2008
prison because they were told they could be released only after signing a written pledge or
religious rites of their sect or after forsaking their  new sect and rejoining their former one
government. 
The government continued also its persecution of the followers of the Jehova Witnesses. I
them to restore and reclaim their identities and their houses which it confiscated because o
referendum of 1993. It also banned their recruitment for state jobs in addition to its depriv
or receiving loans from the banks. 
Three of the followers of this sect remained in prison for 13 years for refusing to attend th
reasons pertinent to their religious creeds despite the fact that the decree of the national se
the maximum penalty for such cases to be two years imprisonment or the fine of 3000 Nak
3/ Freedom of Expression and Press: 
The government didn’t allow, as in previous years, the existence of free means of verbal o
absolute control of the radio service, T.V. and newspapers as well as on cultural activities 
other forms of expression. The government didn’t permit the publication of any books wh
supervision or those which do not serve its policies. Also, it subjected the entry of foreign 
newspapers etc.) under to strict control.  
Likewise, the government did not allow resumption of work by independent newspapers n
not release from detention any of the journalists who were arrested in its campaign against
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2001 or those detained in the following years. This action contravened stipulations in the s
No. 90 of 1997 regarding the media.  
Further, the government restricted the movement of foreign correspondents, and intervene
work. It also imposed more monitoring and restrictions on the Internet and punished any o
services or satellite channels that usually express views opposed to the policies of the gove
maintain total control and strict guidance over the State information media: newspapers, ra
people working in these media outfits are subjected to intensified monitoring in what they
transmission. Their mobility is also under control  for fear of their escaping outside the co
2001.. 
The government demanded from all those working in its mass media, including drivers an
Antonio, who was head of the Eritrean Ministry of Information’s branch in the South Red 
in April 2008 after harassments and many threats to his life, told the press in the Sudan tha
correspondents of the broadcasting service, T.V. and the news agency were subjected to ce
himself prior to their release to the public. He mentioned that he had been reprimanded an
about famine in Tio in the Dankalia region. In this incident, he was told by the governor o
supposed to prepare an internal report about the matter and not a news report that would b
On the other hand, many Eritrean journalists had been arrested during the years 2007 and 
suspicions that they were planning to escape or for keeping contacts with their colleagues 
Although there are no exact statistics as to the number of the journalists arrested in Eritrea
among them 8 journalists who had been detained since 2001. Some unconfirmed reports s
that there were many deaths among the detained journalists. The latest reported death in Ja
Yohaness known by the nickname “Joshu”.(12) 
Journalist Paulos Kidane died while attempting to escape to Sudan on 10 July 2007. He w
death he walked long distance under conditions of extremely severe hot weather. His colle
some villagers in a hamlet near the Sudanese border because he could no longer continue t
territory. He died in that village and was buried there. The authorities notified his family o
4/ The Right to a Fair and Just Trial: 
The judiciary in Eritrea is not independent, and it has remained to be so during the year 20
interventions in the work of the judiciary. Needless to say, persons brought to trial before 
tribunals during the years 2007 and 2008 did not enjoy just trials. Many people were infor
cells - without ever standing in front of the courts which tried them and passed the sentenc
worked at the detention camps that some of the army officers used to pass judgments arbit
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without the latter appearing before them. He said he even observed some officers passing j
receiving a summary of the accusations. This eyewitness added that in the detention camp
persons were transferred to prisons where they were kept without sending with them paper
date of their arrest and other necessary information. In many cases, the prison warden only
sentenced persons with each name and the length other their the period of his imprisonmen
These special courts where the military officers assume the role of the judiciary continued
cases without giving the accused their right to obtain legal consultations or the right to app
judges do not refer in their judgments to any written laws, but they pass sentences accordi
5/ The Rights to Privacy and Freedom of Movement: 
The government continued its unwarranted interferences in the private lives of its citizens 
telephones and cell phones in addition to their ordinary post and e-mails.(14) It also restric
outside the country. 
Under the pretext of searching for those evading and escaping National Service, the securi
thousands of houses. They also assaulted and stormed houses belonging to unregistered Ch
practicing unsanctioned collective religious rites in these houses. 
All these acts were carried without obtaining the legal permission or authorization. Beside
block-road and check-points searching for evaders of National Service or other suspect pe
The government made tight restrictions on issuing exit visas to citizens even for emergenc
the application of its restrictions of 2006 which prohibit the travel of children outside the c
above. It retuned back from ports of exit many children who were accompanied by their p
of travel abroad of the age group 18-55 except for those whose work demanded travel ons
to leave the country have to submit and make financial or personal guarantees to assure th
6/ Violations in the Application of the NSP law: 
  The government continued its implementation of the NSP decree without observing and
1995/82 Decree which organizes it and which was published in the government gazette of
the Decree defines the compulsory nature of the NSP for the persons of the age group 18-5
cases for the NSP persons below the age of 18 or above 50. Despite the fact that paragraph
punishment of five years to the person who escapes in evasion of the NSP. Instead, the aut
evaders and fined their families with great sums of money. At the same time, it kept those
prison until they paid the money or brought their sons and daughters back home. The appl
measures caused a lot of deaths especially among mothers and children who were detained
and for long periods. 
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The authorities continued chasing the evaders of the NSP and set check- points on roads a
them. The security elements climbed over the walls and stormed headquarters of private b
these operations many citizens were killed after being shot by the security forces accused 
arrested in these campaigns were imprisoned and tortured. 
The authorities pursued their shoot-to-kill policy against those who attempted to cross the 
those escaping the NSP was Abdu A. who told the SCHR that one of his friends by the nam
batch of the NSP was killed at the beginning of 2007 while he was trying to escape from W
person by the name of Mohammed Ali was shot and injured while attempting to run away
The authorities recruited the conscripts of the NSP without taking into consideration their 
SCHR that despite the martyrdom of his two brothers during the period of the liberation st
NSP though his mother had no one to support her.(17) 
The government, in contravention of Article (8) of the Decree which limits the duration of
indefinite period. The 18 months includes the period of military service which was suppos
from the NSP called A. Haile Mariam said that he was in the first batch of NSP in 1994. H
finishing his period.  Nevertheless, he was called to service again after the outbreak of war
his military service until he was able to escape from the country in December 2007. (18) 
These NSP conscripts receive less than 20 US dollars worth of the local currency per mon
enough and cannot meet or cover the essential expenses and needs of the conscript. This la
conscripts to flee from the camps in search for work in order to help their families. Also m
NSP conscripts by making them work in their private farms. They also used the female co
houses. 
The commanders of the military units imposed heavy penalties of hard labour for 6 month
deserting their units. Others attempted to escape to change the dire living conditions of the
treated like the others and were subjected similar suffering.   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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Section Two 
Violence and Discrimination against Eritrean Wo
Irrespective of the fact that the suspended Eritrean Constitution prohibits discrimination ag
state party to CEDAW (1995), the Eritrean women suffered from discriminations and hav
due to the shortcomings in some legislations and the lack of government interest in their im
negative impact of the prevailing political, social and economic orientations by the State. 
This discrimination against women is manifest more in the fields of education, employmen
the field of education, there is a great margin of difference between females and males. St
rate of education is increasing with the passage of time. The rate of females registered in t
intermediate level of education had decreased from 45.5% to 37.72% in the school year 20
the enrollment of girls in the secondary schools in the school year 2000-2001 was estimate
rural areas, their total enrollment dropped to  only 10.8% in the school year 2004-2005.19
Development for the year 2007-2008, Eritrea occupied the 184th position out of a total 19
registration of females in schools, compared to males in the year 2004. Again, Eritrea was
year 2006, according to an updated UN report published in 2008.20 
 
The total rate of the registration of females in school in Eritrea in the year 2006 was 27.6%
As a result of their low educational bevel, women obtained low payments and less opportu
of the working women know how to read; it is only 35% of employed women that had rec
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According to the indicators of the UN referred to above, the percentage of women who ca
among men is 71.5% in 2006. 
Women receive low wages than men at a rate of 50-80% and they only constitute 7.4% of 
However the low rate of the employment among females in the field of teaching, which is
demonstrates the big margin between males and females in the employment market. Wom
staff in the intermediate and secondary school stages in the school year 2002-2003.23 
 
On the other hand, health service and medical care available for women faced serious dete
pregnant women who suffered from malnutrition reached 64% in some regions of the coun
pregnant women (child and mother care) had also deteriorated. While the rate of medical i
pregnant women was 1:280 in 2004, this rate went down to 1:530 in the year 2005. Only 8
medical assistance in Barka-Gash Region, and 9.3% in North Red Sea Region in the year 
And because of the severe shortages in health and medical care and due to the high rate of
has the highest rate in the deaths of pregnant women in the world.24 
 
AIDS spread fast among girls of the age group15-24, affecting 7.4% of them while the nat
working in bars, hotels and shopping centres the rate is 11.9%.25 
 
Women continued to suffer from home and societal violence as well as from drastic gover
NSP laws. Even though the government has no statistics on the matter, violence against w
accepted form of conduct under the circumstances of the absence of legal protection and la
family and the society. 
Many girls were raped at the NSP camp of Sawa and were made to serve at the homes of t
resisted this was arrested and tortured. A girl by the name of Sennayit T., who managed to
she was called at midnight by the commanding officer to come to his house in the camp, a
she was made aware that a call this hour was for raping her. The second day, she was calle
solitary imprisonment for 7 days with her hands tied. She was later on transferred to anoth
Mothers and wives, were arrested because their sons/daughters and husbands fled the coun
from prison until they paid the required fines. Some of the arrested pregnant women gave 
died and lost their children by death due to lack of adequate child and mother health care. 
anguish because of the disappearances of their children and husbands who take high risks 
There is continued loss of contact between disrupted families because families cannot esta
surveillance put by state authorities on every home. Many of the girls who try and fail to e
detention conditions. A great number of the escaping girls were raped while on their way t
were apprehended while trying to go from the Sudan or Ethiopia to a third country also fac
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organizers of their escape routes. Many of the asylum seekers, among them women died d
Sahara desert, while others drowned in rivers, seas and ocean waters. Still others were sho
Egyptian –Israeli borders. Some women who escape from Eritrea to the Sudan are held as 
persons when their relatives fail to pay the sums of money agreed upon. One eyewitness in
escapee girls were held hostage in the suburbs of Kassala. They were released after a relat
to the Sudanese authorities. Security agents besieged the village and set the girls free. 
On 20 March, 2007 the Eritrean government issued Decree No. 2007/158 banning the circ
mutilation (FGM). The decree includes five articles. Under the fourth article, it states that 
imprisoned from 2 to 3 years and pay the fine of 5,000 to 10,000 Nakfa (local currency).  
death, the imprisonment can be between 5 to 10 years. The Decree punishes anyone who s
circumcision of females by providing tools or other means by imprisonment from 6 month
Nakfa. And if the one practicing circumcision is working on the health services, the punish
suspend professional licenses for a period of up to two years. The Decree fines 1,000 Nak
authorities while knowing a practice of circumcision or one carried out without warning.2
Decree, no one was reported to have been or put in custody under the stipulations made in
The government to date hasn’t published any statistics about the Decree’s contribution in 
circumcision or FGM in Eritrea which reached 89% according to the Eritrean government
York in 2006. At all events, the issuance of the Decree to ban circumcision of females wo
is interconnected with deep traditions and cultures. It would necessitate adequately raising
women and empowering them to take initiatives themselves towards establishing independ
roles. The government does not allow this to happen. It only gives license to its foster orga
women. And this organization is an affiliate to the ruling party (PFDJ). 
Accordingly, the NUEW is concerned only of implementing the ruling party’s policies and
Eritrean women’s interests. This type of Decree would not of course resolve the problem o
the problem of low level of education of Eritrean women is tackled. This is closely connec
burdened over women/girls in addition to early marriage and the outworn backward traditi
of males over that of females. 
The government hasn’t included the terms of CEDAW in the national legislations nor has 
guarantees compliance with it. Thus, in case of conflicts the priority for national courts is 
The government continued superficially to mandate NUEW the monitoring of its complian
it is not serious in establishing a real and credible monitoring mechanism regarding this is
Many women remained in detention camps becau se of their politi cal opinions or religio u
prisons without allowing their children or relatives to vis it them. Among these who hav e
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end of 2008 include: Aster Fessehatsion (2001), Mariam Hagos, Sennayit Debessai and A
Section Three 
Arbitrary Arrests and Torture 
Arbitrary arrests in Eritrea under the current regime started in May 1991 when freedom fig
transferred to prisons in the newly liberated towns and cities. New prisons were establishe
establishments and in secret locations. The fate of those imprisoned in 1991 still remains u
imprisoned immediately after liberation included personalities like judge Mohammed Mar
in 1991. 
One of the former military leaders of  the EPLF, General Bitwodded Aberha, was arrested
in 1998 but soon rearrested and is still detained in solitary confinement in ‘Wenjel Merme
source, a Sudanese national who was detained near his cell, General is in a very bad psych
who were imprisoned after a major military protest against the then Government of Eritrea
veterans who were detained after protesting against their condition in 1995 continued to b
Their families were not allowed to visit them. The authorities had executed many of those
peaceful protests after appearing before Kangaroo courts military tribunals. 
The fate of those who were detained in the beginning and in mid-nineties because of suspi
Jihad Movement is still unknown. Their place of detention is not known and their families
fate of those arrested in a concerted campaign in 1995 that was directed at former ELF fre
this day. There are indications that the arrest of former EPF fighters could have been a me
back to the liberation struggle days. Mahmoud  Dinai, who was the ELF regional military 
sixties, and Mohammed Osman Dayer who was one of those who holding high leadership
those who disappeared in detention, Like the others, no one knows if they are alive or dead
them. Others who were believed to have been arrested in October 1995 because of suspici
views such as Mohammed Khair Musa, Saleh Osman Arey and Ibrahim Mohammad Ibrah
The Government refused to make known the whereabouts of the detained members of the 
September 2001. This refusal was spelt out in the Government’s response to an appeal pre
Mesfun who has a German citizenship, and Habtom Yohannes with a Dutch citizenship,) t
Rights. The appeal was made on their behalf by Lisbeth Zegveld on 01.02.2007.The Gove
make their places of detention known for fear of their security as it claimed that they have
Government further stated that bringing them to justice depends on the end of war with Et
Government is exploiting the ‘no-peace no-war’ state with Ethiopia to tighten its grip on t
reform in the country and to continue to worsen the human rights situation. 
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The journalists who were arrested in 2001 and detained in secret locations as a part of a ca
in prison and their families were not allowed to visit them and the Government declined to
the exception of Dawit Isaac who was released from prison for two days and was re-arrest
Asmara in 2005. 
The persons that were detained by the virtue of their religious faith and who belonged to C
Witnesses continue to be in prison. Some of them have now been in prison for more than 
the national military service program which they see as contradicting to their faith. Prisone
Sunna’ Islamic faith have also been in prison since 2004 with no family visits. 
Many members of the Kunama ethnic group remain in prison since the last war with Ethio
they sympathised with Ethiopia and opposed the Eritrean Government for the injustices th
The fate of ELF- RC leadership members who kidnapped  from Kassala , the Sudan , on 2
(Weddi Bashai) and Waldemariam Bahlibi) and Ghebreberhan Zere, head of an organizati
1997 from the Ethiopian border town of Humera remained unknown until the end of 2008
Though none of the detainees of conscience that were mentioned in our report in 2006 wer
released in the last two years some Sudanese prisoners. This seemed to reflect the improve
Sudan. Yet the fate of some of the Sudanese that were imprisoned in the mid-nineties such
unknown in 2008. The Eritrean Government informed last July the relatives of the Sudane
was arrested in 2001 that he died in prison after two weeks of his arrest. It is possible to sp
his relatives have informed our Centre that he was very healthy before his detention. 
Though our Centre has conducted tens of interviews since its establishment in 2005with th
worked with the Government and some were detained before their escape, we have not be
prisoners of conscience, including of those were imprisoned in the early nineties, Nor hav
the reformist group members have been detained, many of the former senior party and gov
The security apparatus of the regime arbitrarily detained thousands of Eritrean citizens in 2
and Christian religious leaders as well as thousands of those who dodged the military natio
varying periods. It also detained many citizens from the Kunama ethnic group. 
Unconfirmed reports have circulated in 2007 and 2008 which indicated that a number of th
died in prison. Taha Mohammed Nur who was one of the founders of the Eritrean Liberati
liberation struggle died in prison in February in 2008. As people who visited him in the ho
he died after he was transferred in a state of coma to a hospital from ‘Wenjel Mermera’ pr
2005. He probably died due to lack of medical attention in the prison and the delay to tran
Names of Persons Arbitrarily Arrested During the years 2007 and 2008 and not Rele
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Mr. Mohammed Shafuk : tribal chief, arrested in Dase in October 2007. 
2/ Mr. Gugul Bidda: arrested in Tole Tarodani in September 2007. 
3/ Mr. Ogba Michael: priest belonging to the Second Life religious sect( Kali Hewit). Ar
4/ Mr. Abdalla Salih Ibrahim: arrested in his home town Suwera in the first week of Jan
5/ Mr. Abdalla Omer Jemie : medical doctor. Arrested in Keren in 2007. 
6/ Mr. Mohammed Adem Bassim: medical laboratory technician. Arrested in 2007. 
7/ Mr. Ahmed Deen Omer Ismaeel : arrested in his town  Suwera in the first week of Jan
8/Mr. Abdalla Salih: arrested in his town Gohaito in the first week of January 2008.  
9/ Mr.Tara Kobaba: a journalist arrested in his town Haikota in February 2008. 
10/ Mr. Yonas Jakomino: arrested in Bimbilna in February 2008. 
11/ Mr. Zeru Biddo: arrested in Keren town in April 2008. 
12/ Mr. Sulaiman Wad Shum: was arrested in Hazamu- Iba in August 2008. Accused of
sect. 
13/ Mr. Yassin Sulaiman Ahmed: arrested in Hazamu- Iba in August 2008 . Accused of 
sect.  
14/ Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed Sulaiman: arrested in Hazamu- Iba in August 2008. Accu
religious sect. 
15/ Mr.Mohammed Bashai Omer: arrested in Senafe township in August 2008. Accused
sect. 
16/ Mr. Omer Telki: arrested in Adi Caigh in August 2008. Accused of belonging to Ans
17/ Mr. Siraj Ali: arrested in Senafe in August 2008. Accused of belonging to Anssar – S
18/ Mr.Mohammed Saleh Abdalla: arrested in Senafe in August 2008. Accused of belon
19/ Mr. Sulaiman Ali: arrested in Senafe in August 2008. Accused of belonging to Anssa
20/ Mr. Ahmed Ismaeel: arrested in Senafe in August 2008. Accused of belonging to An
21/ Mr. Mohammed Kheir Haj Mousa: arrested in Adi Caigh in August 2008. Accused 
sect. 
22/ Mr. Osman Mohammed Adem: arrested in Adi Caigh in August 2008. Accused of b
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sect. 
23/ Mr. Abdalla Adnan: arrested in Adi Caigh in August 2008. Accused of belonging to
24/ Mr. Ibrahim Abdalla: arrested in Adi Caigh in August 2008. Accused of belonging t
25/ Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Saeedai Hamidi: kidnapped and high-jacked with his car an
26/ Mr. Asfadai Ansra: arrested in Keren in October 2008.   
Names of Sudanese Detainees whose Names not included in the SCHR 2006 Report: 
1/Mr. Abd Al Azim Abu-AL-Gasim AL-Shiekh Ali: Imprisoned at Karshly prison in A
2/Mr. Abd AL-Rahman Shamoun Abdalla: a citizen of Kassala, Sudan. 
3/ Mr.Azhari Hassan Alama: his place of detention unknown. 
The names of the following whose names are already included in the arbitrary arrest
still in prison until the end of 2008: 
1. Mr. Mohammed Maranet Nessour: was a judge in Keren who was arrested in 1991
1997 but he has been moved to an unknown place therefore his contacts with his fam
have been filed against Mr. Nessour nor been brought to a court.  
2. General Bitwodded Abreha: was senior military officer and former member of the E
who was arrested in 1992 but released for a while in 1998 during the Eritrean-Ethiopi
Marmara prison in Asmara. No charges have been filed against General Abraha nor h
3. Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Malik: was a teacher at the Islamic Institute at Keren. He
4. Mr. Osman Mohammed Nour: was a teacher at the Islamic Institute at Keren. He w
5. Mr. Osman Abdelnour Muhammed: was a teacher at the Islamic Institute at Keren
arrested in 1992.  
6. Mr. Musa Ibrahim Fargallah: was a teacher at the Islamic Institute at Keren. He wa
7. Mr. Ahmed Masmar Hazout: was a teacher at the Islamic Institute at Keren. He wa
8. Mr. Idriss Muhammed Saíd: was a teacher at the Islamic Institute at Keren. He was
9. Mr. El Hassan Ali Azouz: was a teacher at the Islamic Institute at Keren. He was arr
10. Mr. Ibrahim Gam'ei Hamid:was a teacher and director of the Islamic Dia (light) In
detained at Karshili prison in Asmara until 1997 then he has been moved to an unkno
not known. No charges have been filed against him nor has he been brought to a cour
11. Mr. Mohammed Tahir Hamid Okod: was a teacher and deputy director of the Islam
in 1992. He was detained at Karshili prison in Asmara until 1997 then he has been m
whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed against him nor has he been b
12. Mr. Ibrahim Bakheit Malik: was a teacher at the Anabasa Wazantet Islamic Institut
detained at Karshili prison in Asmara until 1997 then he has been moved to an unkno
not known. No charges have been filed against him nor has he been brought to a cour
13. Mr. Abdlalim Mohammed Ali Zar'oum: was a teacher at the Anabasa Wazantet Isl
He  was detained at Karshili prison in Asmara until 1997 then he has been moved to a
whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed against him nor has he been b
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14. Mr. Abdelrahman Ali Amharai: was a teacher at the Anabasa Wazantet Islamic Ins
detained at Karshili prison in Asmara until 1997 then he has been moved to an unkno
not known. No charges have been filed against him nor has he been brought to a cour
15. Mr. Mohammed Hamid Osman: was a teacher at the Islamic Dia (light) Institute w
detained at Karshili prison in Asmara until 1997 then he has been moved to an unkno
not known. No charges have been filed against him nor has he been brought to a cour
16. Mr. Abubaker Ali Nour: arrested in 1993 together with his son who was a teacher a
not known. No charges have been filed against him nor has he been brought to a cour
17. Mr. Omer Abubaker Ali Nour: a teacher at Wazantet and Anabasa Institutes, arrest
known. No charges have been filed against him nor has he been brought to a court.  
18. Mr. Shom Salih Ya'goub: was a separation advocate. Arrested in Addis Ababa in 19
charges have been filed against him.  
19. Mr. Nafié Ibrahim Fikkak: was a teacher  at the Islamic Dia (light) Institute at Kara
whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed against him.  
20. Mr. Faraj Abubakr El Haj: was a teacher at the Islamic Dia (light) Institute at Kara
whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed against him.  
21. Mr. Abdelwahab Ibrahim Gama Hamid:  was a student at the Islamic Institute at K
whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed against him.  
22. Mr. Yaseen Hamid Nafie:  was a teacher at the Ansaba Islamic Institute at Keren wh
is not known. No charges have been filed against him.  
23.   Mr. Osman Mohammed Ali Ibrahim Gedem: he was the Imam of the Grand Mos
His whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed against him.  
24. Mr. Ahmed Masmar Ibrahim:  he was a teacher at the Ansaba Islamic Institute at K
whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed against him.  
25. Mr. Yaseen Ahmed Zayed: was a teacher at the Ansaba Islamic Institute at Keren w
is not known. No charges have been filed against him.  
26. Mr. Gabir Hussein: is a merchant arrested at Keren in 1994. His whereabouts is not 
against him.  
27. Mr. Gabir Hamid ukad: is a merchant arrested at Keren in 1994. His whereabouts i
against him.  
28. Mr. Mohammed Adam Da'oud: He was a head of Senhet Regiona Parliament, arres
known. No charges have been filed against him.  
29. Mr. Idriss Mohammed Ali: was a director of the Islamic Dia (light) Institute who w
not known. No charges have been filed against him.  
30. Mr. Mahmoud Ali Gam'ei: was a teacher at the Islamic Institute at Keren who was 
known. No charges have been filed against him.  
31. Mr. Fuáad Mahmoud Omer:  was a director of the Charity Offerings Organization 
1994. His whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed against him.  
32. Mr. Hassan Abdelrahman Dirar:  was a teacher at El dia Islamic Institute in Keren
whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed against him.  
33. Mr. Hassan Ali Nour Dirar:  was a teacher at the Islamic Institute in Keren who wa
known. No charges have been filed against him.  
34. Mr. El Shaikh Mohammed Ibrahim Shedly: arrested at Mansoura in late 1994. His
have been filed against him.  
35. Mr. Idriss Saíd Ari: was a teacher at El Dia Islamic Institue in Keren, arrested in 19
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charges have been filed against him.  
36. Mr.  Paolous Eyaso: a member of Jehovah Witnesses. He was arrested on 24th Septe
participate in the military service program on religious grounds. He is detained in Saw
allowed to visit him not he has been brought to court.  
37. Mr. Nagdi Takhlimariam: a member of Jehovah Witnesses. He was arrested on 24th
participate in the military service program on religious grounds. He is detained in Saw
allowed to visit him not he has been brought to court.  
38. Mr. Issak Mogos: is also a member of Jehovah Witnesses. He has been arrested on 2
participate in the military service program on religious grounds. He is detained in Saw
allowed to visit him not he has been brought to court.  
39. Mr. Mohammed Osman Dayr: one of the early freedom fighters who joined Eritrea
the country after independence. Mr. Dayer was arrested on 25th May 1995 when he le
needs. He never returned to this hotel. He is diabetic and he was in his fifties when he
allowed to visit him moreover, his whereabouts is not known. No charges have been 
40. Mr. Abdelallah Ibrahim Idris Adra: originally from Andrayeib /Agordat. He was c
his arrested in 1995. His whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed again
41. Mr. Mogos Tesfamariam: was kidnapped from Ethiopia in 1995 because of allegati
then he is imprisoned in Wenjel Marmara prison. When investigators did find evident
bailer which he rejected since no charge has been proved against him.  
42. Mr. Salih Osman Arey: was a former leader of the National Council, an ELF faction
liberation. Mr. Ari was arrested on 3rd October 1995 at Keren, he was at his forties. H
His wife who is based in Sudan tarvelled to Eritrea three times and met several offici
meet him or informed about his whereabouts. No charges were filed against him or br
43. Mr. Mahmoud Dinai: one of the early freedom fighters who joined the ELF in early
Commander of the 1st Military Region in 1965. Mr. Danay was arrested on 10th Octo
regional Parliament of El Gash – Barka region. He was at his sixties. His family was 
whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed against Mr. Dinia nor has he t
44. Mr. Sulaiman Zkaria: was a former fighter in the 1st Military Region. He was arrest
sixties at that time. Authorities did not allow his family to visit him. His whereabouts
filed against him.  
45. Mr. Mohammed Khair Musa: was a former leader in the National Council, a factio
after independence. When he was arrested on 10th October 1995 at Keren where he w
region, he was at his late fifties. Authorities did not allow his family to visit him, disc
against him nor took him to a court .  
46. Mr. Ibrahim M. Ibrahim: was a former leader in the ELF - the Unified Organizatio
October 1995 in Agrdat where he was a judge in the Regional Court of Baraka-Gash 
Authorities did not allow his family to visit him, disclosed his whereabouts, filed cha
47. Mr. Mohammed Salih Mahmoud: was a former leader in the ELF – the National C
independence in early 1950s.  Mr. Mahmoud was arrested on 10th October 1995 in A
Regional Court of Braka-Gash Region. Authorities did not allow his family to visit hi
him to a court.  
48. Mr. Mohamoud Khalid:  was a former leader in the ELF who returned to the countr
arrested on 10th October 1995 in Agordat where he was an officer in the Municipality
Authorities did not allow his family to visit him, filed charges against him nor took him to
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1. Mr. El Amin Hamid Karrar: he was in charge of co-operative associations in Barak
October 1995 in Agordat. Authorities did not allow his family to visit him, disclosed 
him nor took him to a court.  
2. Mr. Salih Mohammed Idris Abu Ajaj: is one of the first generation of fighters in th
early 1960s. Mr. Abu Ajaj was arrested on 10th October in Agordat, he was at his ear
allow his family to visit him, disclosed his whereabouts, filed charges against him no
3. Mr. Muhammed Ali Ibrahim: is one of the first generation of fighters in the Eritrea
1960s. Mr. Ibrahim was arrested on 10th October 1995. Authorities did not allow his 
whereabouts, filed charges against him nor took him to a court of law.  
4. Mr. Ismail Idriss Karkas: was a former fighter within the ELF, the National Counci
aftermath of independence. He was arrested in late Novemer 1995. Authorities did no
his whereabouts, filed charges against him nor took him to a court of law.  
5. Mr. Idriss Dinai: was a former fighter with the ELF which he joined in 1980s. He re
and arrested in late November 1995. He was at his thirties at the time of arrest. Autho
him, disclosed his whereabouts, filed charges against him nor took him to a court .  
6. Mr. Muhammed Banni: was a former fighter with the ELF. He was arrested in 1996
family to visit him, disclosed his whereabouts, filed charges against him nor took him
7. Mr. Adam Ibrahim: Was graduated from Um Durman  Islamic University. 
He was arrested in 1996.  
1.   Mr. Suliman Abou Bker Ebraheem: He was arrested in 1996 at Sanafi town. His 
killed during arrest. His whereabouts is not known. No charges have been filed again
2. Mr. Abdellah Ali Nassir: arrested in 1996 at Sanafi town. His whereabouts is not kn
him.  
3. Ibrahim Omer Bahibaish: He was arrested in 1996 in Sanafi. His whereabouts is no
against him.  
4. Mr. Amir El Sir: a Sudanese national, arrested in 1996. His whereabouts is not know
him.  
5. Osman Salih Hamid: He was arrested in 1996 in Hagaat.  
6. Mr. Ibrahim Idirss Mohammed Ali (Mangous): arrested in El Gash in 1997.  
7. Mr. Hamid Omer Hashishai: arrested in 1997. His whereabouts is not known. No c
8. Mr. Gshi Mahari Tsfamariam: was arrested in 1997 under allegations of receiving 
(riba) but he has not been brought to an open court.  
9. Mr. Mansour Walday: was arrested in 1998 under allegations of illegal money lend
an open court.  
10. Mr. Adam Burhan Bayan: was arrested in 1998 under allegations of  illegal money 
brought to an open court.  
11. Mr. Ghebrehiwet Geleta: is a journalist who was kidnapped earlier in 1988 from Ka
independence. He has been arrested again in 2002 when he was working for an indep
known. No charges have been filed against him nor has he been brought to a court.  
12. Mr. Mohammed Daóud Mohammed Osman Daóud: a religion man, arrested in Go
known. No charges have been filed against him>  
13. Mr. Adam Muhammed Osman Daóud: a religion man, arrested in Gonia in 1999.  
14. Mr. Petros Solomon: is one of the earliest members of the Eritrean  People's  liberati
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security service attached to the Front for several years. After independence he has bee
including minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense. Before is dispute with President A
and Marine Resources and an MP. He is married to Esteir Yohannes  who is also in d
have four children. Solomon was arrested 0n 18/9/2001. Authorities did not allow his
whereabouts, filed charges against him nor took him to a court.  
15. Mr. Mahmoud Ahmed Sherifo: is one of the earliest fighters who joined revolution
the EPLF. He assumed a number of senior positions within the Front during struggle 
assumed a number of ministerial portfolios, most recent of them was the Ministry of L
terms of protocol as the second man in the state. Mr. Sharifo was also an MP. He is m
arrested on 18th September 2001. His family is not allowed to visit him, his whereabo
against him and he has not been brought to a court .  
16. Mr. Haile Woldtenesae: is one of the earliest members of the Eritrean People's liber
Economics and then Foreign Affairs and member of the current Parliament.  He was t
Alger Agreement on behalf of the Government of Eritrean. Mr. Tenesae was arrested
and a father. He is diabetic. His whereabouts is not known, his family is not allowed t
him and he has not been brought to a court.  
17. General Uqbe Abrha: is a former Chief of Command and former minister. He was a
not allowed to visit him, his whereabouts is not known, no charges were files against 
court of law. General Abrha is suffers from asthma According testimonies gathered b
conscripts who escaped the country, General Abrha died last year because of lack of b
Cemetery at Ginda 45 km from Asmara.  
18. General Berhane Gerezgrzghihier: was a retired General former commander of the
member in the leadership of the Eritrean People's liberation  Front since 1977. His wh
allowed to visit him, no charges were filed against him and he has not been brought t
19. Ms. Astier Fessehatsion: was the director at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affair
September 2001. She suffers from ulcer. Her whereabouts is not known, her family is
filed against her and she has not been brought to a court.  
20. Mr. Salih Kikia:  was a former manager of the Office of the President, a former Min
Transportation and member of both leadership of the ruling party and the Parliament.
was arrested on 18t September 2001. His whereabouts is unknown and his family is n
filed against him nor been taken to a court.  
21. Mr. Hamid Himed : was a former Ambassador to Suadi Arabia and Sudan, head of t
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, member of the leadership of the ruling and an MP. Mr. H
arrested on 18th September 2001. His whereabouts is unknown and his family is not a
filed against him nor been taken to a court.  
22. General Estifanos Seyoum : a retired army officer, in charge of income taxes, memb
and an MP. He was arrested on 18th September 2001. His whereabouts is unknown an
No charges were filed against him nor been taken to a court.  
23. Mr. Germano Natti: was a former regional governor and MP. He was arrested on 18
unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him
24. Beraki Ghebreselassie: a former Ambassador to Germany, a former minister of Info
was arrested on 18th September 2001. His whereabouts is unknown and his family is 
filed against him nor been taken to a court.  
25. Ms. Mariam Hagous:  was in charge of cinema sector has been arrested on 6th Octob
Hagous is unknown and her family is not allowed to visit her. No charges were filed 
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court.  
26. Mr. Yousif Mohammed Ali: Editor-in-Chief of Sganai newspaper. He was arrested 
a hunger strike in early April 2003, he has been moved from a police detention center
charges have been filed against Mr. Ali nor been brought to a court.  
27. Mr. Matiwos Hebteab: a journalist, was editor-in-Chief of Magalih newspaper. Was
April 2003 he was moved from police custody in Asmara  to unknown place upon pa
have been filed against Mr. Ali nor been brought to a court.  
28. Mr. Dawit Habtemichael: was an assistant to the editor-in-chief of Maglih He was a
2003 he was moved from police custody in Asmara to unknown place upon participat
been filed against Mr. Ali nor been brought to a court.  
29. Mr. Medhanie Haille: is a journalist,  was an assistant editor-in-chief and borad mem
arrested in September 2001. In early April 2003 he was moved from police custody in
participation in hunger strike. No charges have been filed against Mr. Ali nor been br
30. Mr. Temsghen  Ghebresus: is a journalist, an assistant editor-in-chief and board me
arrested in September 2001. In early April 2003 he was moved from police custody in
participation in hunger strike. No charges have been filed against Mr. Ali nor  been b
31. Mr. Emanuel Asrat: is a journalist,was an editor-in-chief of Zaman newspaper. He w
April 2003 he was moved from police custody in Asmara to unknown place upon par
have been filed against Mr. Ali nor been brought to a court.  
32. Mr. Fessaye Yohannes ( Joshua): was a journalist with Steit newspaper. He was arr
2003 he was moved from police custody in Asmara to unknown place upon participat
been filed against Mr. Ali nor been brought to a court.  
33. Mr. Sa'id Abelgadir: is a journalist, was an editor-in-chief of Admas newspaper. He
April 2003 was moved from police custody in Asmara to unknown place upon partici
been filed against Mr. Ali nor been taken to a court.  
34. Mr. Seyoum Tsehye: was a freelance photographer. He was arrested in September 2
from police custody in Asmara to unknown place upon participation in hunger strike.
Ali nor been brought to a court.  
35. Mr. Dawit Issac: was a journalist with Steit newspaper. He holds both Eritrean an Sw
authorities have released him in November 2005 and re-arrested him tow days later a
of his sympathizers. He is detained at Wenjel prison in Asmara. No charges have bee
court.  
36. Mr. Ali El Amin: was an employee of the Embassy of the USA who was arrested in
Embassy. His whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him. No
taken to a court.  
37. Mr. Kflom Ghebremichael: was also an employee of the Embassy of the USA who 
for spying for the Embassy. His whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowe
against him nor been taken to a court.  
38. Mr. Idriss Ab'aari: is a writer and a former director at the Ministry of Labor. Mr. Ab
in liberation war. Mr. Ab'aari has been arrested towards the end of 2001. His whereab
allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him nor been taken to a court.  
39. Mr. Kidane Kebreab: was a member of the ruling party who was arrested in early 2
family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him nor  been taken 
40. Mr. Tesfai Gherma : was a member of the ruling party who was arrested in early 20
family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him nor been taken t
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41. Mr. Alazar Mesfun: was a member of the ruling party and former Governor of Kere
whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were 
court.  
42. Mr. Kiros Tesfamichael (Awer): was a member of the ruling party and former Dire
arrested in early 2002. His whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowed to v
him nor he  been taken to a court.  
43. Mr. Beesrat Yemane: was a member of the ruling party and former Consular in Fran
whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were 
court.  
44. Mr. Firon Woldu: was a member of the ruling party and former director at the Minis
arrested in early 2002. His whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowed to v
him nor been taken to a court.  
45. Mr. Ibrahim Siraj: was a member of the ruling party and former diplomat in Suadi A
whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were 
court.  
46. Mr. Hamid Mohammed Sa'id: a journalist who was arrested in March 2003 when h
detained in Wenjel Marmara prison in Asmara.  No charges were filed against him no
47. Mr. Salih El Gaza'eri: is a journalist, was arrested  in March 2003 when he was wor
Masses). He is detained in Wenjel Marmara prison in Asmara.  No charges were filed
48. Mr. Aho Mohammed Aho: was a Secretary of the Parliament of the South Red Sea.
whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him.  No charges were
court.  
49. Mr. Ali Mohammed Ibrahim: was arrested in 2002. His whereabouts is unknown an
No charges were filed against him nor been taken to a court.  
50. Mr. Ibrahim Sa'id: was a former officer at the Commission of Humanitarian Aid an
2003. His whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him. No cha
taken to a court.  
51. Mr. Akhlilu Mogos: was a member of the ruling party who was arrested in early 200
family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him nor been 
taken                                                                                                                                
to a court.  
52. Mr. Berhe Tesfamariam: is an engineer and  was a member of the ruling party who 
whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were 
court.  
53. Mr. Ermias Debessai: was a member of the ruling party, a former Ambassador in Ch
court and condemned of corruption. He served his prison sentence but re-arrested in N
unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him
54. Mr. Ghermai Yohannes: was a sportsman who was arrested in November 2003. His
is not allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him nor been taken to a cou
55. Colonel Yemane Fesseha: (Wad Rago) was a police officer who was arrested in Nov
unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him
56. Mr. Mohammed Osman: the former Scertary of Gash- Barka Regional Parliament w
whereabouts is unknown and his family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were 
court.  
57. Mr. Solomon Habtom: was a member of the ruling party and former head of one of 
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Communication and Transportation. He was arrested in June 2003. His whereabouts 
to visit him. No charges were filed against him nor been taken to a court.  
58. General Habtetsion Hadgu: is the former commander of Air Force. He was arrested
been arrested for some months. His whereabouts is unknown and his family is not all
against him nor been taken to a court.  
59. Ms. Asnayit Debessai: is a guitarist and was a member of the ruling party and mothe
Wenjel Marmara in Asmara because she requested divorce through court from her inf
to Kenya). A police officer visits Asnayit every three months asking her whether she 
she insists on divorce she is returned to prison every time. Asnayit who claims to bein
she prefers prison to keeping her marriage bond.  
60. Mr. Ibrahim Ismail Omer: a schoolteacher graduated from Suadi Arabia, arrested in
No charges have been filed against him.  
61. Haj Idriss: was a mosque Imam at Adardi Mosque. He was affiliated to Ansar El Su
political activism. He has been detained since November 2003 at Wingil Marmara pr
62. Ms. Astier yohannes: was an MA student in the US and wife of the former minister 
September 2001. She returned upon guarantees by the authorities that she will not be 
airport and was not allowed even to see her children and mother who were waiting at
allow any type of visits to Ms. Johannes including herfamily. She is kept in solitary d
63. Mr. Taha Abdelgadir: is a member of Ansar El Sunna Islamic group and was active
He is at his twenties. He was arrested in 2004 and detained at Wenjel Marmara but ha
64. Ms. Hayat Ibrahim Nour Hussien: was affiliated to Asnar El Sunna. She has been a
in Wenjel Marmara but has not been brought to court.  
65. Mr. Mohammed Salih Adam: a member of Ansar El Sunna Islamic group, arrested 
he has been informed by the prison director that he had been sentenced to four years i
prison.  
66. Mr Ahmed Siraj: a member of Ansar El Sunna Islamic group, arrested in Asmara in
informed by the prison director that he had been sentenced to four years imprisonmen
67. Mr. Mohammed Burhan: a member of Ansar El Sunna Islamic group, arrested in A
has been informed by the prison director that he had been sentenced to four years imp
prison.  
68. Mr. Abdelrahman Mohammed Nour: a member of Ansar El Sunna Islamic group, 
said that he has been informed by the prison director that he had been sentenced to fo
at Simble prison.  
69. Muhmaad Omer Ismail: Graduated in Cairo University. He was arrested in 2004.  
70. Fr. Haili Niazgi: the head of the Full Gospel Church, arrested on 23rd May 2004. 
 
71. Dr. Kafli GabremasgAl: head of the Eritrean Protestant Alliance. Arrested on 23rd M
72. Fr. Tesfasion Hagous: of the Protestant Rima Church. Arrested on 27th May 2004. 
 
73. Fr. Kedani Waldai: arrested in 2004.  
74. Fr. Abraham Blai: arrested in 2004.  
75. Mr. Adam Ali Ismail: arrested in May 2004 and has been moved from Tesnai prison
76. Fr. Gabr Medhanie Ghbregargis: a priest in Orthodox Church, the biggest church i
November 2004.  
77. Dr. Tekhliab Mengestab: a priest in the Orthodox Church. He was arrested in late N
78. Dr. Fazom Gabringous: a priest in the Orthodox Church. He was arrested in late No
79. Fr. Kidani Ghbremosgal: is a priest at the Full Gospel Church. He is at his fifties. H
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been deported from a policestation in Asmara to Semble Prison.  
80. Fr. Fanuel Mehretab: is a priest at the Full Gospel Church too. He is at his fifties. H
been deported from a policestation in Asmara to Simble Prison.  
81. Mr. Towlde Ghbremedhin: was a trade unionist who was arrested on 30th March 20
family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him nor been taken t
82. Mr. Menési Andzion: was a trade unionist who was arrested on 30th March 2005. H
is not allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him nor been taken to a cou
83. Mr. Hebtom Wadmichael: was a trade unionist too who was arrested on 11th April 
his family is not allowed to visit him. No charges were filed against him nor been tak
84. Mr. Tekhli Tesfai: is 73 years old and affiliated to Jehovah Witnesses. He has a dual
arrested on 27th may 2005 and informed by the director of Wengl Marmar prison that
imprisonment.  
85. Salih Ali Abo Ali: used to work in trading between Sudan and Eritrea, arrested in Jun
whereabouts is unknown.  
86. Mr. Fotoy Gazai: works for the USA Embassy in Asmara as a web editor.  Was arre
Information accused him of trafficking.  
87. Mr. Benyam Germai: the deputy manager of the buildings at the USA Embassy in A
He has been accused of trafficking, which mostly means helping others to leave the c
88. Mr. Idirs Mohammed Ali: one of the most prominent singers in the country, arreste
89. Mr. Salah Grenit:  was an employee of the Eritrean Airlines in Asmara, arrested in l
90. Mr. Geime Saíd Kemel:  was a reporter and sport journalist at Eritrea El Haditha new
91. Mr. Mohammed Geime Arri: was a police officer, arrested in November 2005.  
92. Mr. Adam Salih: a journalist arrested in November 2005 in Asmara.  
93. Mr. Abubaker Bareg Ramadan: Was an employee at the Administration of Keren t
94. Mr. Abdlallah Ramadan: a businessman, arrested in late November 2005.  
95. Mr. Omer Kikia:  was an employee at the Ministry of Education in Keren, arrested i
96. Mr. Mohammed Nour Ahmed: arrested in late November 2005.  
97. Mr. Mohammed Abdelhalim Hamouda: a writer and a businessman, arrested in Ba
98. Mr. Mohammed Adam Shalshal: was a police man arrested in November 2005.  
99. Mr. Ahmed Musa Geime:  was an army officer, arrested in November 2005.  
100. Mr. Nasr El Din El Silaihabi: a Sudanese national, arrested in November 2005. He 
101. Mr. Khalil Mohammed Khalil: a Sudanese national, arrested in December 2005. He
102. Mr. Ahmed Bokari:  was a government employee arrested in Dankalia in December
prison.  
103. Mr. Ibrahim Lee: trader works at the Yemen-Eritrea borders, arrested in December 
104. Mr. Nouri Ahmed: arrested in South Dankalia in early 2006.  
105. Mr. Wad Garray: arrested in Tesnei in April 2006.  
106. Mr. Tesmgen Barhi: arrested in Tesnei in April 2006.  
107. . Ms El Ganish Fesha: mother of the officer Alexander Aragi, arrested in 2006  
108. Mr. Malaki Mabrahtu: arrested in Tesnei in April 2006.  
109. Mr. Abdlallah El Faki: a tailor arrested in Barento in May 2006.  
110. Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Ahmed:was a commissioner of Af Hambul, then moved t
Barento in May 2006.  
111. Mr. Idirs Musa Kalam (Wad Barento): an owner of a tourism office. Arrested in A
112. Mr. Hamid Mahmoud Dalli: a mechanic, arrested in Barento in May 2006.  
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113. Mr. Omer Malik Baro: was a judge, arrested in Barento in May 2006.  
114. Mr. Musa Osman Kheyar: arrested in Barento in May 2006.  
115. Mohammed Ismail Anga: a journalist in Eritrea El haditha newspaper and painter, a
116. Mr. Salah Idris (Sinyous): a former editor-in-chief of El Nabd, the newspaper of the
May 2006.  
117. Mr. Hussien Musa Halab: arrested in Tesnei on 5th August 2006. 
 
118. Omer Humad: arrested in Agordat in Dcember 2006.  
119. Mr. Totai Mohammed Salih Ali: arrested in Ablet district in September 2006.  
120. Mr. Hebti Tekhle Sambet: arrested in Haikuta in September 2006.  
121. Mr. Omer Ali: arrested in Kellit I September 2006.  
122. Mr. Abdllah Salih Nassir: arrested in Tesney in September 2006.  
123. Mr. Ibrahim Abdelgader Jailani: was an officer in the Endowment Department, arr
124. Mr. Salih Osman Ali (El Rashid): from Id Ibrahim village in western Eritrea. Gradu
Worked as an instructor at the Military Academy in Asmara and trainer in Sawa camp
2006.  
125. Mr. Sharif Ali Idirs: arrested immediately after independace and released. Worked i
Arrested in November 2006.  
126. Mohammed Ali Osman Yousif (Abu Samira): worked as a commissioner for Germ
late November 2006.  
127. Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed Omer: worked for ruling party then for the Conderation o
Arrested in late November 2006.  
128. Mr. Mahmoud Haj Omer: arrested in Agordat in December 2006.  
129. Mr. Yaseen Hamid: arrested in Hagat town in December 2006.  
130. Mr.Omer Abu Alsadig: a former soldier, arrested in December 2006.  
131. Dr. Omer El Din Ibrahim: a dentist graduated from Damscus University, arrested in
132. Mr. Ezra Agba Selassie: a merchant in Tesnei, arrested in December 2006 and is pro
The Conditions of Prisons 
The prisons which were essentially designed and built to negatively affect the mental and 
be at a very bad state. The places of detention where prisoners of conscience are kept, are 
underground or at times containers are used for the purpose.  One interrogator who worke
and who escaped from Eritrea informed our Centre that the detention place has 9 rooms (4
23-26 prisoners. The detention place is in a mountainous area where no-body passes by. H
for investigation and torture which is built of cement.  The prisoners were allowed to go o
they are made to walk without shoes. The prisoners were allowed to bathe once a week bu
months.31 
There are no health facilities in Eritrean prisons especially at the secret locations. Prisoner
they suffered from serious diseases which caused many deaths which remained secret. The
ground or on small thin mats of woven palm leaves. Many are not allowed to use a pillow 
muscular ailments and pain for a long time. 
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Provision of food to prisoners consists of two little meals served daily without meat or veg
to many diseases due to malnutrition in addition to the physical and mental torture they we
denial to see their families. Some of the prisoners are detained in solitary confinement wh
know for how long they will be detained. Due to all these factors mental illnesses are wide
without any medical services. 
The interrogator mentioned above indicated that he also served in another prison between 
said that the prison consists of containers, in each one there will be between 12 – 15 prison
later transferred and located between the towns of Mendefera and Arezza. He also indicate
the prisons where he served. Torture includes beating with whips, plastic tubes and electri
at noon, tying the hands and feet like the figure of 8, tying the hands and feet backwards (k
forcing the head down into a container with very cold water, beating the heels of the feet a
interrogator is allowed to use whatever fantasy that comes to his mind.  
The Eritreans that were deported from the Sudan and Egypt and other countries and are ac
or leaving the country without permission are made to work like slaves in road building, in
working bare-footed so as not to escape.  
  
  
  
  
  
SECTION FOUR 
State of Eritrean Refugees 
The total number of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in different countries, mostly in
hundreds of thousands. The percentage of those fleeing the country has been in continuou
to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of Eritrean
increased to 36,000 in 2007 showing an increase of 85%. As a result, Eritreans are ranked
nationalities of asylum seekers in the world. Eritreans are also ranked as first followed by 
their asylum applications. In 2007, out of 36,000 Eritrean applicants for asylum, 17,900 w
The risks that face Eritreans escaping from their country or trying to enter other countries 
the security forces in Eritrea have been shooting at those seen to cross the border to Sudan
arresting many in the process. Others had died trying to cross the Setit River in eastern Su
died on their way to Egypt, and others had died on their way to Libya due to the hardships
when they were deserted by smugglers in wilderness to meet their tragic fate.  
Many Eritrean refugees also died crossing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to Yemen. O
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Europe through the Mediterranean Sea because of the unfit and overstuffed boats they use
the captain deserted them when he felt intercepted by the naval patrols. 
Some also died and others were injured by the Egyptian police who fired at them when the
border to Israel. 
Although the UNHCR has been calling to bring an end to the deportation of Eritrean asylu
imprisonment and torture, a number of countries had deported Eritrean refugees back to E
tortured.33 The Sudanese and Egyptian governments had deported hundreds of Eritreans m
only on immigration laws and procedures in both states. And these measures of deportatio
Egyptian authorities despite the court rulings in their favour. 
European countries, like Germany, Britain and Sweden, had deported some Eritrean asylu
international organizations and in clear contradiction with their international commitments
conditions of refugees in countries where they live most: 
1) Conditions of Refugees in Sudan 
A/ Conditions of those who have had Refuge in Sudan During the Liberation War:  
The Sudanese Commissioner for Refugees has estimated the number of Eritrean Refugees
November 2008. More than 100,000 of them live in refugee camps in Eastern Sudan. The 
came during the independence struggle) is the Wed Sherifey camp with around 30,000 peo
after the liberation of Eritrea, are centered in Kilo 26 where 30,000 refugees are also hoste
The international community has not paid much attention to the plight of Eritrean refugees
Commissioner of Refugees to the Refugee Camps in Eastern Sudan in April 2007 and his 
their conditions. 
Health care services have been deteriorating and there is only one health care centre in the
Sudanese Red Crescent, which suffers from shortages of medical facilities and professiona
also one health centre provided by a local NGO and suffers from the same shortages as the
is located in  Umgargur camp with similar conditions. 
The refugees who have been there since the liberation struggle period face problems of ed
camps, but recently as a solution to this, the refugee schools in Umgargur have been place
Gedaref State and the refugee schools in Kassala area are expected to be affiliated to the S
The camps also face shortages of clean drinking water, and the  water pump that pumps w
hours in the morning and the same in the evening due to shortages of fuel. 
As of March 2008, the Sudanese government and the UNHCR have started re-registration
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make a needs assessment. Some of the refugees are totally dependent on help, others need
their own small businesses while others are in need of resettlement in third countries. But 
the renewal of refugee status to some 70,000 people who have lost that status when the UN
introducing the legal screening and many have refused to be screened in 2004.  
B/ Conditions of those who had Refuge after Independence: 
These are those who came due to the break out of the recent war between Eritrea and Ethi
people. They escaped as a result of the unlimited extension of the military service and the 
the Eritrean Government's military camps due to the repressive military practices or due to
reach Sudan through Wed Sherifey, Hamdayet, and Gergef to Kassala State and Garora an
they move to the Shegerab camp for their legal refugee screening. Most of the refugees ha
their applications are processed. Many of them escaped from these reception centres and e
long waiting period to be screened, add to that shortages of food and harsh living conditio
get very hot in summer. Some of these tents were burned in June 2008. One refugee had to
for the passport size pictures needed to complete the registration procedure. 
Some refugees died because of the risky and dangerous routes the smugglers use to take th
case was when 15 Eritreans and 5 Somalis who were trying to cross the Atbara River on a
way to Khartoum, drowned.34 
 
C/ Deportation of Eritrean Asylum Seekers from Sudan  
The Sudanese authorities had repatriated forcibly to Eritrea, hundreds of Eritreans between
violating Sudanese immigration laws, after appearing shortly in courts in Kassala and Kha
In 2008, 217 Eritreans, of the age group 20-30 years, of whom 38 were females, were de p
Although the Centre can not verify if any of those possessing refugee identity cards issued
deported, the way the deportations were conducted were not legal according to Abbas Said
defend the Eritrean asylum seekers in Kassala.35 Said made the  following remarks about 
1. The Sudanese immigration law was applied as basis for deportation, although the Sud
international treaties on refugee and asylum seekers, protection should have been app
2. At times, one trial was held for 15 people as a group in one session that did not last fo
3. No proper translation facilities from Tigrinya to Arabic were provided as most of the
4. Many were deported before the deadline for appeal was over. 
A lot of the refugees tried to resist these deportations and one of them even demanded to b
he was going to face the same fate.36 An eyewitness reported that many of them were hold
deportation cars that their fingers were bleeding. Another eye-witness to the deportations s
after being handed over to the Eritrean security but were shot at, some died and others wer
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Because of the deteriorating conditions at reception centres in Eastern Sudan, the long tim
that most of the new refugees are single youth and they do not see any hope or future there
particularly Khartoum looking for work and for educational opportunities, which is regard
to cross the border to Egypt and then to Israel or to Libya where they cross the sea to Euro
cities in Sudan were presented to trials and penalized up to one month imprisonment and d
possessing refugee cards issued in Sudan. 
The refugees pay thousands of dollars to smugglers who will take them across  the borders
on cars to make it to Egypt or on unreliable boats to Europe risking their lives out of despe
in the deserts or in the middle of seas or oceans and escape if they sense that  they have be
patrols.  
2) Conditions of Refugees in Ethiopia  
Ethiopia is a signatory to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its  1967 P
and Repatriation Authority (ARRA)  is a government body that deals with such issues.  
The flow of Eritrean refugees to Ethiopia started at the end of the war between Eritrea and
settled in the Shimelba  camp in the Tigrai region since 2004 when they were transferred f
proximity to the Eritrean border. The Shimelba camp is located 33kms south of Sheraro to
in Mai Ayni away from the Eritrean border as the first one was full to capacity. 
The WFP estimated the number of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia by the end of 2008 to be a
the Shimelba camp. In 200, around 7800 asylum seekers were registered in Ethiopia at the
There are also two refugee camps in the Afar Region in Ethiopia hosting about 6,000 from
camp is under the UNHCR and the ARRA administration. The refugees receive food help
provided by some NGOs like IRC, ZOA and NRDP. 
Two members of the Suwera Centre visited the Shimelba camp in June 2008 and conducte
camp and the refugees had problems of transportation to and from the camp and there wer
In 2008, the Ethiopian government said that it will allow Eritrean refugees to live in cities
higher educational institutions in Ethiopia as long as they can depend on themselves.  
The Ethiopian Government, volunteered in November to accept around 100 asylum seeker
government was planning to deport back to Eritrea. They were taken to Shimelba camp af
verify their legibility for asylum. 
Resettlement  
In 2007 and 2008, hundreds of Eritreans from Shimelba camp were resettled in third coun
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These were especially from the Kunama ethnic group of whom 700 were resettled in the U
US Office of Immigration and Refugees Affairs announced that refugees in the Shimelba 
the US according to the following:  
1) Eritrean refugees along with their families who had been registered by the UNHCR bet
camp and were accepted at Shimelba in November 2004 
2) Refugees registered by the UNHCR between December 2004 and 7 August 2007.39
 
After the resettlement programme is over, the Shimelba camp will be closed and the rema
established camp in Mai Ayni.40  
 
3) Conditions of Refugees in Egypt 
Egypt is considered to be one of the first countries that received Eritrean refugees in the 19
opposed Emperor Haile Sellasie’s unilateral dissolution of the Federation of Eritrea with E
numbers to Cairo for continuing their education after Ethiopia banned education in Arabic
Amharic. Most of those arrived through Sudan without travel papers. The Egyptian govern
politicians and scholarships to students. The 1960s also witnessed a flow of large numbers
Sudan without travel papers and were welcomed by the Egyptian Government the same w
The, ELF, the front that started the armed struggle for liberation in Eritrea was established
in exile and students who were among the  refugees of the 1950s in Egypt.  
Refugees continued to flow to Egypt in the 1970s for educational  opportunities. Many Er
transit to travel to other countries. In fact, thousands of Eritreans migrated to Europe, Aust
the 1980s and 1990s.  
Egypt is a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967
African Unity Convention of 1969 governing the specific aspects of refugee problems in A
refugees. The Egyptian government signed a memorandum of understanding with the UNH
decide on asylum cases to Egypt.  
UNHCR statistical data shows that there were 20 Eritrean asylum seekers  in Egypt in 199
and 1999 when the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia was at its peak. But the number incre
Centre could not get the exact number of Eritrean asylum seekers by the end of 2008, but 
Egyptian government had deported back 1200 Eritrean refugees in 2008 and unknown num
Eritrean refugees, estimated at 5000 have crossed to Israel through the Sinnai desert. 
The Egyptian security agents have been shooting at those seen crossing the border and ref
of refugees, among them Eritreans, had been killed at the Egyptian-Israeli common border
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human right groups.42Those arrested were made to appear in military courts and sentence
imposed. 43 
 
In 2008,the Egyptian authorities have tightened control over areas in its southern border w
where asylum seekers cross to Egypt, thus leading to the arrest of hundreds of Eritreans w
The first group of those arrested trying to reach Cairo after crossing the border with Sudan
28 were women. These appeared for trials in April 2008 at the "Genah Drawa" court in As
Thirteen of the group were presented to the court on 13/4/2008 under case number 625 of 
Egyptian territory without possession of passports or any other valid documents. The cour
through illegal border crossings and without entry visas issued by the Ministry of Interior.
charged according to articles 1/41/ 1,2 and 4 of the Presidential Decree no. 89 of 1960 wh
of 1996 and legal act no. 88 of 2005. 
The other 58 asylum seekers were made to appear in court under the case no. 661 of 2008 
the same day. Two other groups, the first made up of 24 and the second composed of four 
Kom Ambo" Court on 20/4/2008 and 16/4/2008 respectively. On 23/4/2008, 32 Eritreans,
were presented to the "Genah Adfo" Court. On 26/4/2008, 25 Eritreans, 6 women and one
to the same court.46 According to lawyer, Mustafa al Hassan, who defended the asylum se
refugees at other places which ‘Hisham Mubarak Center’ did not know about and the distr
Nasr al Nuba city had 71 refugees which later rose to 188 during the deportations.  
Aswan police station had 38 refugees  
Central Security forces camp in Shelal had 66 refugees  
Qina city had 61 refugees  
Mersa Alem city had 110 refugees in addition to  18 who died on the way  
Al Qerdeqa city had 147 refugees 
  
In addition to the above - mentioned detention centres, others were held in the Genater pri
Ras Qarib police station.47 
Due to the poor detention conditions especially in the Nuba police station, most of the asy
diseases and other sicknesses that result of over crowdedness and poor ventilation. There w
and the detainees were not allowed to go out in the sun except for a very limited time.48 
Court Rulings Cases of Asylum Seekers 
A group of lawyers from the ‘Hisham Mubark Center defended the asylum seekers and ap
the charges they were facing. The lawyers depended on their defense, on the 1951 Refuge
on the Presidential Decrees numbers 231 and 333 of 1980 issued on their basis according t
The defense also demanded that the UNHCR be allowed to meet the detainees. 
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All of the above - mentioned courts passed rulings of one month imprisonment not to be e
not respect these rulings and continued detaining them.49 
Deportation Processes 
The Egyptian authorities gathered hundreds of asylum seekers from their detention centres
after informing them that they will be handed over to the UNHCR.  A group of 200 asylum
11/6/2008 from which they were deported on a special Egypt Air flight to Asmara, such tr
of the same month. Despite pleas by local and international organizations, the authorities c
number reached 1200 by 19/6/2008.50  The Egyptian authorities had deported 4 Eritreans
allowing the UNHCR to meet them and see their cases 51 
On 19/6/2006, 18 Egyptian civic organizations sent a letter of appeal to the Egyptian Mini
immediate suspension of deportations and asked for increased cooperation with the UNHC
investigate the asylum cases of Eritreans. Thirty other African organizations also demande
African Union Summit in Sharm El Sheikh in June 2008 to:  
1. Request the Egyptian government to respect its international commitment and stop th
who will face risks of torture and unlawful treatment if returned to their home country
2. Demand the Eritrean government to stop all forms of indiscriminate arrests, torture an
3. Ask that UNHCR be given free access to meet imprisoned Eritrean asylum seekers an
4. Demand that the Eritrean and Egyptian authorities allow and enable the Human Righ
detainees without delay, and respect their human rights in accordance to the African U
Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.  
5. Call on the special representatives of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced P
these cases.52 
Many international organizations, such as (AI) and (HRW) released statements and appeal
the deportation n of Eritrean asylum seekers back to Eritrea. The Human Rights Commiss
expressed her dismay on the Egyptian government's deportation of Eritrean asylum seeker
On 15 June, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry sent a letter to the United Nations High Comm
commitments on protecting refugees and allowing the UNHCR in Cairo to meet with the a
illegally. The office of the High Commission looked into 179 asylum cases in the detentio
right of refuge status in Egypt. However, hundreds of other Eritreans remained under arres
UNHCR. 
After halting the deportation process for six months and ignoring the international and loc
handed back by the Israelis after they crossed to Israel were deported to Eritrea on Decem
As expected and feared by the aforementioned international organizations, those deported 
sent to the 'Wia' camp for imprisonment to be sent later to the military service. 
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(4) Conditions of Refugees in Israel 
Although Israel is a state party of the Refugee Convention of 1951 and its protocol of 196
and has only accepted 170 refugees since its signature of the treaty, of whom a hundred le
In 2002, the Israeli Interior Ministry set up an advisory committee to oversee the asylum c
any case. 
The first group of Eritrean asylum seekers reached Israel in mid 2007 after crossing the Eg
Israeli authorities and later moved from the prison to agricultural areas where they started 
legislations to protect workers in these areas, they faced exploitations such as low wages a
An Israeli organization has estimated the number of Eritrean asylum seekers in Israel by N
While the number was 28 in 2006, it had increased to 1,763 in 2007.56 
In 25/12/2007, Israel stated that it will give Eritrean asylum seekers six-month working pe
2000 Eritreans were given work permits. On February 2008, the authorities started roundin
Aviv, including those with work permits and protection cards issued by the UNHCR and d
back to their home country, but instead issued work permits for 600 more refugees, who e
a pre-condition of not working in Tel Aviv. This shows that the Israeli government has no
The Israeli Interior Ministry refused the UNHCR's request to renew the work permits whic
lost their jobs as a result. 58In August 2008, for the first time, the Israeli authority carried
cases and renewed the expired work permits for one month, but still did not give refuge st
Convention of 1951 and did not allow the UNHCR to meet with the Eritrean asylum seeke
Deportation of Eritrean Refugees from Israel 
In an interview with  ‘Haaretz’, an Israeli newspaper, the Eritrean  ambassador to Israel ob
of work permits to the Eritreans and considered them either as economic immigrants or so
did not regard them as political refugees. 
Israel's Interior Minister had said that the reason for the issuing of work permits to Eritrea
repressive and the Israeli embassy in Asmara sent a report stating that Eritreans who return
After the increasing flow of African refugees to Israel through the Egyptian border, Israel 
law of 1954 known as the "Hot Return", by which the Israeli Armed Forces return any ille
concerned bodies to look into his asylum case. The first victims were 6 Eritreans who wer
Israeli army.60 Another group was deported back in August 2008. 61 
The legal advisor of the Israeli government explained this as an action against illegal entry
not respect its commitment to the international treaties by returning them to Egypt who ret
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There is fear for the future of Eritrean asylum seekers in Israel as it depends on Israeli inte
international commitments as it had not given asylum to any Eritrean until the end of 2008
As a result, on 16/12/2008, Eritreans in Tel Aviv demonstrated against not being acknowl
Refugee Convention of 1951.63 Some Eritrean Civil Society Groups and Human Rights A
interior Minister in support of the demonstrators and expressed their willingness to help in
asylum seekers.64 
5/ Conditions of Refugees in Libya 
There is no exact statistical data on the number of Eritrean refugees in Libya, as they only
European countries and stay there for only a short period of time till they are ready to mov
attempt to cross the sea. 
Libya is not a signatory of the Geneva Convention for the Protection of Refugees of 1951 
national legislation on refugees, nor does it have a memorandum of understanding signed 
Libya.65 
Most of the Eritrean Refugees reach Libya through a lot of risky smuggling routes from Su
track in the Sahara or during attacks by bandits or the smugglers themselves. Libya does n
UNHCR, and is detaining many of them. About 700 Eritrean refugees, among them 30 ch
prison in Mesrata, east of the capital, until the end of 2008.66 These refugees were arrested
Libyan naval patrols, or during round ups against foreigners. 
The refugees are detained under harsh condition, with no health care services, and there w
them had depression. There were also pregnant women, among the detainees, some of who
after birth, while some were raped during the first weeks.67 
Eritrean refugees in Libya live in fear since 2004 when Libya deported back Eritreans.68 L
back, despite pleas by international organizations and despite the fact that the constitution
political refugees. The legal act no. 20 of 199 also gives the right of protection for refugee
By deporting the Eritrean asylum seekers, Libya had disregarded to commitment to the Tr
Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the African treaty against deporting refugees
In January 2008, the Libyan authorities issued a decision to deport people who do not pos
deporting more Eritreans increased in June 2008 when authorities prepared travel docume
promise that they were to be resettled in Italy, while in reality, there were no such arrange
In July 2008, the UNHCR signed treaties with 3 Libyan organizations: The IOP, CR,CDIP
the refugees and asylum seekers in Libya, but there is no independent verification of the a
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protection to asylum seekers from being deported.71 
6/ Conditions of Refugees in Yemen and Saudi Arabia 
There are thousands of refugees in Yemen, some of whom have escaped during the Eritrea
Yemen ever since. Most of the Eritrean refugees live in a camp in "Al- Khokha", situated 
legislation concerning refugees and the Yemeni Authorities recently stated that they will s
refugees to their respective countries, a matter that the UNHCR requested be made clear, a
Convention of 1951 and its Protocol of 1967.72 
 
The Yemeni Authorities have arrested several Eritrean asylum seekers during the years 20
well.73 
There is no accurate statistical data on the number of Eritrean refugees in Saudi Arabia. Th
work plans in the Gulf countries, the number of Eritrean refugees in Saudi Arabia was esti
2008.74 
During 2004, 215 Eritrean soldiers sought asylum in Saudi Arabia, and were given refuge
Riyadh, and the Saudi government provided residence and means of living for them , thou
Convention for the Protection of Refugees or its protocol of 1967. Due to the refugees mil
Jizan, south of the kingdom, under the supervision of the naval patrol, a division of the Sa
movements were restricted. During 2006 and 2007, 185 of the Eritrean refugees there, wer
America, while the remaining 32, who were joined by the end of December 2006 by two E
remained to the end of the year without being resettled.7514 of the Eritrean asylum seeker
strike in August 2008, demanding their speedy relocation.76 
Many Eritreans who live and work in Saudi Arabia with UN refugee travel documents issu
renewing their travel documents issued by the Sudanese government, due to the withdraw
Sudan by the UNHCR in 2004. However, the Sudanese embassy in Riyadh had renewed s
intervention of the regional office of the UNHCR in Riyadh in an exceptional manner and
In a telephone call to the Centre from Saudi Arabia, one of the Eritrean refugees, who pos
that he had renewed it in Sudan in 2007, but it had expired by August 2008, and stated tha
travel to Sudan to visit his ailing mother.  
7/ Conditions of Refugees in Europe and North America 
There are tens of thousands of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in Europe and North A
through illegal ways. According to a report by the UNHCR about the trends of refugees in
year 2008, 4,044 Eritreans requested asylum in these countries during that period. The Eur
asylum requests by Eritreans are Britain (995), Norway (760), Switzerland (736), Sweden
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The Eritrean refugees were ranked first amongst those nationals whose asylum application
However, European countries have, in few cases, deported Eritreans from their territories,
deported two Eritrean asylum seekers, Yonas Haile Mehari and Petros Afeworki Mulgeta 
feared that they were arrested upon their arrival in Asmara and transferred to an unknown 
  
  
Section Five 
The International Community's Response on the Violations of Hum
Background  
The adventurous policies adopted by the Eritrean government during the years 2007 and 2
international community. Accordingly, the Security Council by its Resolution No. 1827 pa
mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Mission to Eritrea and Ethiopia (UNMEE). As a result o
common borders between the two countries have been without international monitoring, a
hostilities any time. Again the Eritrean government's intervention in Somalia and its suppo
Transitional Government in addition to the hosting of the leaders of the Islamic Courts in A
UN's resolution of the arms embargo against Somalia- all these acts caused more and mor
government and the international community which extended its recognition and support t
Also the conflict between the government of Eritrea and the State of Djibouti added more 
community. 
Eritrea during 2007 and 2008 didn't participate in the summits and meetings of the A f
Addis Ababa as its headquarters and also becaus e of its dissatisfaction at the stands of t h
suspended its membership in IGAD because of its differences with this organization over 
Tension was also heightened with the USA during the year 2008 against the background o
America of alignment and ba cking of Ethiopia's position on the border conflict. The 
Islamists in addition to continued American cr iticism of the Eritrean government's recor d
relations. The deterioration reached its height when the USA threatened in August 200 7
sponsoring terrorism if it did not stop its support to the Islamists in Somalia. (81) 
In this context, American officials met during the year 2007 and 2008 with leading m e
lsaias' regime. The official s also met with leaders of opposition parties and members 
Diaspora. 
Most of the international or ganizations which used to be active in the fields of deve
departed from the country becau se of the Eritrean government' s restrictions on their wor k
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was receiving support only from China, the EU and some Arab states. 
Responses of Principal Parties Regarding Violations of Human Rights in Eritrea: 
1- The European Union (EU): 
In May 2007, the commissioner of development of the (E U) Louis Michel, warmly
headquarters of the EU in Brussels. 82 He later declared that the EU decided to offer a fi n
Eritrean government for the years 2008-2013. 83 Although the EU said that it is not 
government, in fact it is doing so.It said that its office in Asma ra is supervising directly t h
of the absence of transparency in spending on the part of the Eritrean government. Howe v
by many. In this respect, Dr  Charles Tannok, member of th e European parliament for Lon
on 15 September 2008 regarding the situation of human rights in Eritrea and the bad recor
As it used to do in the previous years, the EU issued a statement in 2008 on the 7th 
members in which it called for the release of the members of the group or bringing the m
concern regarding the situation of  human rights in Eritrea. This came within the conte x
situation for the year 2008. In this regard , the report pointed to the worsening situation o
Eritrea. According to the said report, the EU conveyed direct messages to the Eritrean Pre
Three members of the European parliame nt: Renate Weber (Roumania), Luisa Mo r
(Portugal) in coordination with the organizations: RSF, AI , CSW, and ODO in Brussel s
theme: (How should the EU deal with the Escalating Hu man Rights Crisis in Eritrea? )
leaders of the  Eritrean Democratic Alliance participated in  the roundtable forum.86 
 
On 19 December 2007, the committee of foreign relations in the Italian parliament passed
violations of human rights in Eritrea.87 However, European states such as Britain, German
asylum seekers to their country turning a blind eye to the violations and in total disregard 
requesting all states not to repatriate Eritrean asylum seekers because of the gross violation
the Eritrean government and because of fear that deportees may be exposed to torture and 
2- The USA: 
During the years 2007 and 2008, the USA directed strong criticisms to the Eritrean govern
Department's two reports in 2007 and 2008 on the situation of human rights in the states o
violations committed by the Eritrean government against its citizens. The State Departmen
other states in the world to be worst violators of religious freedom. Eritrea was put in that 
stayed there. And because of its negative record in the field of religious freedoms, the US 
Eritrean government. 
A number of American congressmen wrote a letter to the Secretary of State Condoleezza R
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expressed their concern about the serious situation of human rights in Eritrea especially th
journalists and the group of reformists in September 2001 in a addition to the reports of th
congressmen demanded from Secretary Rice to investigate those reports which spoke abou
the Eritrean authorities to uncover openly and immediately the whereabouts and places of
declare whether there were deaths among them. They requested in particular information a
detention of journalist Fessahaye  Yohannes (Joshua).(88) The congressmen asked Secreta
Eritrean government to immediately and unconditionally release all the detainees and pris
The ex-ambassador of the USA in Eritrea, Scot Delcy, directed, after he departed from his
the people of Eritrea in which he said that despite the escalating violations to human rights
principles of democracy committed by the Eritrean government, the government of the US
people will enjoy the fruits of their heroic struggle for independence.90 
 
The American Ambassador T. Vance McMahan, representative of the US in the UN Econ
forum on 24 July 2008 in New York about the  situation of human rights in a number of st
Yohannes, an activist in the field of human rights and sister of Aster Yohannes presently u
conditions of the detention of her sister and the others arbitrarily arrested in Eritrea.(91) 
 
3- International and Regional Human Rights Organizations: 
(a) UN Human Rights Committee: 
1- In response to a complaint made by two Eritrean citizens, the group responsible for arbi
Rights Committee, considered the continued detention of  the 11 Reformists (G-15) as vio
International Convention pertaining to civil and political rights and it demanded from the 
release.(92) 
  2-  The then UN Commissioner of Human, Louise Arbor, said she was extremely concer
deportation of 700 Eritrean refugees asylum seekers to their country by the Egyptian autho
government not to repatriate more Eritrean refugees.(93) 
 
(b) Committee for the rights of the Child: 
This Committee, which is mandated to monitor the implementation of the UN Agreement 
final remarks on the second and third regular reports of the Eritrean government which the
convened at Geneva on 2 June, 2008 .The Committee noted the Eritrean government;s non
and spirit of the UN Declaration and Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Committ
about the harsh conditions under which the Eritrean children are living at present because 
violations such as detention, torture and recruitment to military service.(94) 
(c) African Commission for Human and Peoples Rights: 
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The Commission had previously taken a resolution in its 34 session convened at Gambia o
complaint made by an Eritrean citizen, Mussie Ephrem, about the detention of the (G-15).
government was abrogating and contradicting some of the articles of the African Charter o
demanded the immediate release of the members of the Reformist Group and asked the go
period of detention. 
In subsequent years, this Commission made other resolutions regarding Eritrea, including 
held in December 2004 denouncing the violations of human rights and the suppression of 
Bahame T.M. Nyandunga in his report to the Commission said that he did not conduct an 
there was no agreement on a date for making a visit to Eritrea since his appointment in 20
submit report during the said period .He added that the Commission, however, found Eritr
Charter especially of denying suspects and accused persons, the rights of obtaining and rec
the right to organize , to assemble and the right to free press in addition to imprisoning opp
4- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Concerned About Human Rights Issue
  This organization published many reports and appeals on the situation of human rights in
conditions of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers. It gave great attention to the deportati
and those threatened for deportation by some European states. Amnesty also issued a state
of the group of reformists (G15) and independent journalists. 
Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF): 
This organization published many reports and statements regarding the situation of human
worst country in the world to journalistic freedom for the year 2008. The organization dem
during the meeting of Euro-African Summit in December 2007 to consider President Isaia
grata in the states of the EU due to their gross human rights violations. The organizers con
Tsehaye, detained since September 2001, the journalist of the year 2007. During 2007 and
on the anniversary of the closure of independent newspapers and the detention of independ
freedom of the press in Eritrea.  
(c) Human Rights Watch: 
On its report this organization also issued several statements and reports on the situation o
Middle East section showed great concern for the dire conditions and misery of deported E
under threat of deportation from Egypt. In this respect, the organization in repeated reques
stop deportations and to allow the UN High Commission for Refugees to meet the Eritrean
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(d) Other Organizations: 
Many other organizations showed their great concern about  the situation of human rights 
Committee to Protect Journalists based in New York. The latter had in 2002 granted its an
Eritrean journalist Fessahaye Yohannes "Joshua". Besides, there is the CSW which publis
reports on the suppression of Christian sects in Eritrea.  There is also the Swedish Nationa
freedom of speech and press freedom for year 2007 to the detained journalist Dawit Issac.
  
  
  
  
  
Recommendations 
During the year 2008, violation committed in all fields against Eritrean citizens by the Erit
government did not release from detention all those it had arrested in previous years. It ev
and didn't allow their families to visit them. All these illegal acts and suppressive policies 
international pressure. The numbers of those fleeing the country have increased. Those wh
sad situation in it were exposed to all types of risks and dangers. Hundreds of asylum seek
of  thirst or  were shot dead by border guards of the countries which they attempted to ente
governments deported hundreds of these refugees ignoring the directive of UN High Com
instructions to all states clearly requested that Eritrean seeking refuge should not be depor
imprisoned and tortured. 
The Suwera Centre for Human Rights (SCHR), in the light of its present report, makes the
institutions of civil society active in the field of human rights and to the international orga
expresses the hope that the year 2009 would witness firmer positions against the Eritrean g
positive role being played towards improving the conditions of Eritrean refugees and othe
the Eritrean government against its own people.  
1- The Eritrean Organizations Concerned with the Defence of Human Rights: 
(a) To coordinate and boost efforts in exposing the Eritrean government's violations befor
(b) To organize worldwide campaigns with the participation of friends of the Eritrean peop
Eritrean government to stop its violations against human rights of Eritreans and to set free
(c) To step forward for adoption and sponsoring of the cases of the individuals who suffer
by concerned regional and international organizations. 
(d) To give more emphasis to the work of raising consciousness and awareness of Eritrean
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conventions of human rights. Eritreans indeed need training on monitoring, reporting and 
rights, including the ones committed against Eritrean refugees and asylum seeker. 
(e) To play an active role in extending aid and support to Eritrean refugees and engage wit
them on the risks and dangers of illegal migration. In addition they should work for creatin
their circumstances and the names of the dead refugees and asylum seekers among those w
way to take refuge in other countries. 
2- The African Commission for Human and Peoples Rights: 
We recommend its continuation of applying pressure on the Eritrean government to respec
in the African Charter for Human and Peoples Rights, and to comply with the Commission
which called for the release of the group of reformists (G-15) and compensating them for t
allow the rapporteur whom the Commission appointed to visit Eritrea for assessing the situ
3- The UN Human Rights Council: 
The Suwera Centre for Human Rights (SCHR) urges this international body to work towar
rights in Eritrea because of the gravity and extent of continued human rights violations . 
4- The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): 
(a) To sponsor and call for the convening of an international conference on the situation o
finding solutions for their problems. 
(b) To re-emphasize the directives which it issued in 2004 for stopping the deportation and
seekers. We also urge the Commission to address the states which deported the Eritrean as
demand that they should not repeat such inhumane acts. 
(c) To investigate the cases of the deaths of some asylum seekers during their attempts to e
make known the names of those who died so that their families could be informed of their
(d) To give more concern and emphasis to the situation of Eritrean refugees especially in c
particular to their food, health and education services and freedom of movement. 
(e) To make concerted efforts in convincing states to accept more Eritreans in the third- co
5- The International Organizations On Human Rights: 
(a) To exert more pressure on the Eritrean government to allow them to visit Eritrea to obs
conditions of the arbitrarily arrested persons in several prisons. 
(b) To persuade Western countries to give Eritrean refugees increased opportunities for re
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(c) To address and make pressure bear on the UN Human Rights Council to appoint a Spe
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Suwera Centre for Human Rights  
(SCHR) 
The Suwera Centre for Human Rights (SCHR) is a non‐profit independent Eritrean Cent
promotion  of Human rights in Eritrea. Its goals are as following: 
1. Defending  human rights and dignity of the citizen in Eritrea.  
2. Raising the awareness of Eritreans in human rights and their knowledge about intern
mechanisms.  
3. Striving to enhance the sprit of tolerance and the respect for the plurality of faith as
Eritrea.  
4. Upholding women’s rights that are stipulated in international human rights law, and
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discrimination and violence.  
5. Protecting children’s rights against all kinds of violations they may be exposed to.  
6. Working for  establishing the rule of law in Eritrea, including the independence of th
and summary courts;  
7. Ensuring freedom of expression and press in Eritrea.  
8. Working towards promoting and defending the rights of all Eritrean citizens in social
9. Working in solidarity with all human rights organizations for the protection, promoti
international level.  
LAST UPDATED ( SATURDAY, 01 AUGUST 2009 10:49 ) 
 
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