Human Rights Concern–Eritrea has issued an urgent appeal to UNHCR and Ethiopian authorities regarding the safety of Eritrean refugees at a camp in northern Ethiopia. The group warns that renewed armed conflict, including drone attacks, threatens these displaced individuals who previously survived the Tigray war. HRCE calls for immediate security assessments, voluntary evacuation to safe areas, and strict adherence to non-refoulement principles to prevent forced returns to Eritrea. The organization emphasizes that delays in protection could lead to further casualties and displacement, urging partners to act before the situation deteriorates. (Source: Human Rights Concern Eritrea)
A human rights group reports that Ethiopian authorities confiscated the valid Italian-issued travel document of an Eritrean national and recognized refugee resettled in Italy. The individual entered Ethiopia lawfully but was prevented from departing to attend a conference after officials seized his current document. The organization states that the demand for a surrendered, single-use document is impossible to fulfill. They urge Ethiopian officials to return the document, allow his safe departure, and waive any overstay penalties, attributing the violation of his freedom of movement to the authorities' actions.
A human rights group reported that a 50-year-old Pentecostal Christian from a city in Eritrea died in state custody. The group states she had been imprisoned for nearly three years solely due to her faith, which is not officially recognized by the government. Reports indicate she was denied adequate medical treatment for breast cancer while held in various facilities. Her death highlights ongoing religious persecution in Eritrea, where unregistered believers face indefinite detention without charge. The organization condemns the lack of independent investigation and calls for international attention to these abuses.
A human rights group marks the 35th anniversary of a former official’s arrest in a city in Eritrea. The detainee has been imprisoned without charge or trial for over three decades, enduring prolonged solitary confinement. In 2018, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled his detention unlawful and demanded his release. Eight years later, the Eritrean government has not complied. The organization attributes responsibility to the country’s president and calls for the detainee’s immediate release and reunification with his family. The group urges international bodies to pressure Eritrea to implement the UN decision and provide reparations for the human rights violations.
Escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea endanger Eritrean refugees and civilians in Ethiopia. Ethiopia recently closed its embassy in Eritrea and expelled diplomats amid renewed fighting in northern regions. Human rights groups urge Ethiopian authorities and international agencies to protect refugees in camps from arbitrary detention, forced return, or violence. They stress that civilians must not be punished for their nationality and call for emergency relocation plans to prevent a repeat of abuses seen during previous conflicts. The group emphasizes the urgent need for safety measures to ensure the well-being of displaced persons amidst the deteriorating diplomatic relations and regional instability.
A human rights organization reports that the government of Eritrea has failed to implement three decisions by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. These rulings concern the enforced disappearance of members of a political group and journalists arrested in 2001. The detainees have never been charged or tried, leaving their families without information. Despite being legally bound by the African Charter since 1999, the authorities have ignored calls for release, compensation, and independent investigations. The outlet highlights the lack of accountability within regional human rights enforcement mechanisms regarding these high-profile cases.
Human Rights Concern–Eritrea condemns new financial restrictions imposed by Eritrean authorities in late June and September 2026. The Bank of Eritrea ordered citizens and businesses to deposit cash holdings by July 31, 2026, and subsequently limited cash retention to 25,000 Nakfa for individuals. HRCE argues these measures are opaque and coercive, noting that Eritrea lacks adequate banking infrastructure, such as ATMs or widespread branch access. The group states that the restrictions criminalize cash possession without providing clear reasons, penalties, or accessible alternatives, thereby extending state control over citizens' savings. This follows similar controls established in 2015.
The United Nations Human Rights Council voted to extend the Special Rapporteur mandate on Eritrea for another year. The resolution passed with 23 votes in favor, 17 abstentions, and 6 against. Human Rights Concern – Eritrea welcomed the decision, noting it reaffirms the need for independent monitoring. The Eritrean government had campaigned to terminate the mandate, arguing it lacked state consent. However, the group stated that Eritrea consistently refuses to cooperate with international mechanisms and denies access to victims. The renewal aims to address arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and systemic repression in the country.
A human rights organization in Eritrea urges the UN to renew its special rapporteur mandate, despite government opposition. The group highlights the absence of an independent judiciary and the state's disregard for African Commission rulings on arbitrary detention and torture. Citing high-profile cases, they argue that regional remedies have failed. The organization asserts that international protection should not depend on state consent when domestic justice is absent, noting that thousands of prisoners of conscience remain detained without trial. They maintain that continued international oversight is essential to address these severe human rights violations in the country.
A human rights organization reports that Eritrea is marking its 33rd Independence Day, yet basic freedoms remain unfulfilled. The group notes the absence of a constitution, elections, an independent judiciary, and free media. It highlights the closure of a major university and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. The outlet describes indefinite national service as forced labor, with some conscripts serving for decades. These oppressive conditions contribute to a significant refugee crisis as citizens flee repression. The organization calls for democratic governance and respect for human rights within the country.
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