Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr President,
CIVICUS appreciates the work of the Special Rapporteur and his latest report. Civic space in Eritrea remains entirely closed as the government continues to suppress basic rights, including to freedom of opinion, religion, and expression.
We particularly express concerns around the widespread use of illegal arrests as a systematic tool of intimidation to suppress dissent, as well as about incommunicado detention and instances of torture against citizens. Lack of information on conditions of detention, and the use of arbitrary detention as a form of punishment in the context of military service also prevails. Eritrean security forces also continue to commit serious rights violations in Ethiopia's Tigray region.
Eritrea was ranked as the last country for press freedom globally, and it remains the only African country without privately owned media.
Peaceful protesters continue to be subject to the threat of prolonged or indefinite periods of detention. Grave violations of the right to a fair trial de facto result in arrest and detention. The excessive use of force by law enforcement authorities to disperse protests is also of great concern.
Furthermore, freedom of association is severely restricted and independent CSOs are not able to operate in the country as they are heavily censored and imposed onerous reporting guidelines.
We therefore urge the Council to call on Eritrea to condemn and highlight grave human rights violations committed against civic groups.
We thank you.
