:  Martin Plaut Three hours of shelling are reported to have taken place across the Eritrea-Ethiopian border today (Wednesday). The clash was apparently sparked off when Eritrean troops opened fire on about 40 refugees attempting to flee from Eritrea to Ethiopia. The Ethiopian military retaliated, sparking off the fighting in …

Statement on the violations of human rights by the dictatorial regime in Eritrea Submitted by ELL to the 35th session of the Human Rights Council meeting in June 2017 – Geneva   Mr. President of the Council of Human Rights,Representatives of States and human rights organizations and civil society organizations, …

Date: 14/05/2017Author: Martin Plaut In August 2006, while I was working for the BBC, I received reports that aid provided to Eritrea by the European Union (EU) was being sold by the Eritrean government, and the proceeds used for government work programmes. The European Commission’s ambassador to Eritrea, Geert Heikens, …

60th Ordinary Session of the Africa Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Niamey, Niger Public Session Item 4: Human Rights Situation in Africa Delivered by Mr. Hassan Shire. Madame Chairperson, distinguished Commissioners, State Delegates, representatives of NHRIs and NGOs. Madame Chairperson, DefendDefenders would like to congratulate the African Commission on …

Author  John R Campbell, Reader in the Anthropology of Africa and Law, SOAS, University of London Regardless of international concerns, Eritrea continues to pursue a policy of indefinite military conscription that compels the young and the old to serve their country while paying them a pittance. Eritreans are continuing to …

“Like concentration camps” – the Libyan detention centres favoured by the EU By  Martin Plaut0 Comments The European Union is so determined to halt the flight of Africans through Libya that it is willing to turn a blind eye to the appalling conditions of the detention centres in which refugees are …

EU prevention policy puts Eritreans at risk of imprisonment, torture and death Despite mounting evidence of inhumane treatment faced by Eritreans, both within and outside Eritrea, the EU is doing all it can to prevent them from reaching its shores, says a new report published today by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors …

Author: Zachary Laub Tens of thousands of Eritreans have arrived at Europe’s shores in recent years seeking asylum. They make up a significant share of the unprecedented stream of migrants and refugees making their way to the European Union, undertaking dangerous journeys while challenging the bloc to find a collective response consistent …

Daniel and Kedijah’s story reveals everything wrong with the response by wealthy nations to record-high global displacement. By Caitlin L. Chandler Daniel joined the line of people and followed the smugglers under cover of darkness to the sea. In the humid evening, he waited to board a boat docked off the coast of …

By Joanna Lewis – President Isaias Afewerki Chairman of the State Council Chairman of the Transitional National Assembly C-in-c of the Armed Forces Chancellor of Institutes of Higher Learning Chairman of the PFDJ [the sole political party] Vice-President – vacant since 2001  – There have been no elections in Eritrea …