HRC58:
The 58th Session of the Human Rights Council
24th February – 4th April 2025
Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea
27th February 2025
By Jamel Nampijja / GICJ
Executive Summary
Several panelists participated in the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the human rights situation in Eritrea, which took place at the 8th Meeting of the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council on 27th February 2025. Among them were the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Eritrea, an Eritrean representative, and the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights.
The Special Rapporteur and Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights also stressed the need for Eritrea to address impunity and implement necessary reforms while encouraging further cooperation with UN bodies.
The representative of Eritrea Mr Habtom Zerai, strongly rejected the politicised mandate and called for its termination, emphasising the country's progress in education, healthcare, and sovereignty in handling internal affairs. He argued that external interference undermines Eritrea's efforts and sovereignty, inviting constructive cooperation instead of condemnation.
During the interactive dialogue, several representatives expressed deep concern about the ongoing human rights violations in Eritrea. They echoed the Special Rapporteur's concerns regarding the systematic repression of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, association, and assembly. The Eritrean government's continued use of indefinite national service, arbitrary detentions, and religious persecution were also focal points in their statements.
Representatives called for greater accountability from the Eritrean government, urging it to take concrete steps to address human rights abuses and engage meaningfully with international human rights mechanisms. Many stressed the importance of ending the practice of indefinite conscription and providing justice to those detained without trial.
On the other hand, some representatives defended the government's actions, arguing that the situation was being misrepresented. They emphasised the positive strides Eritrea has made in areas like healthcare, education, and gender equality. The representatives expressed support for Eritrea's sovereignty and argued that the ongoing sanctions and external pressures compounded the country's challenges. They critiqued the Human Rights Council's focus on Eritrea as biased and politically motivated, asserting that it overlooked Eritrea's progress and the country's history of resilience in the face of adversity.
The international community was urged to hold Eritrea accountable for its obligations under international human rights law and to press the Eritrean government to implement key reforms, including the cessation of indefinite military service, improved judicial transparency, and full cooperation with international human rights mechanisms. The UN remains committed to assisting Eritrea in addressing these challenges and fostering meaningful reforms.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) is concerned that the Eritrean government continues to perpetrate widespread and systematic violations against its people with the utmost impunity. Arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and torture are prevalent. Authorities relentlessly suppress fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, association, and religious belief.
GICJ calls on the government of Eritrea to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, journalists, prisoners of conscience, and individuals detained for their faith.
Background on the Human Rights Situation in Eritrea
Due to persistent human rights concerns, Eritrea has been the subject of international scrutiny. The nation operates under a single-party system led by the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), with President Isaias Afwerki in power since independence in 1993. The government controls political activities, media, and religious practices, effectively suppressing dissent.
One of the most pressing issues is the mandatory national service program, which, although initially set for 18 months, often extends indefinitely. This practice has been characterised as a form of forced labour, depriving citizens of personal freedom and hindering economic development. Additionally, arbitrary arrests and detentions without trial are common, targeting political opponents, journalists, and religious practitioners. Freedom of expression, assembly, and religion are severely restricted, with reports of torture and inhumane treatment in detention facilities. These violations have led to a significant exodus of Eritreans seeking asylum abroad.
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the situation of human rights in Eritrea was established by the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) through Resolution 20/20 in 2012 and has been extended multiple times, most recently under Resolution 53/2 in 2023. As part of the UN Special Procedures, the Special Rapporteur is an independent expert responsible for monitoring, investigating, and reporting on the human rights situation in Eritrea. The mandate addresses human rights violations, advocates for accountability, and supports efforts to improve the country's human rights record.
The key elements of the mandate include:
Monitoring and Reporting on the human rights situation in Eritrea, focusing on violations of fundamental freedoms and breaches of international human rights laws. Findings are compiled and presented to the Human Rights Council (HRC) and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) through periodic reports, ensuring continued international scrutiny.
Engagement with Stakeholders, including the Eritrean government, urging it to comply with its international human rights obligations. The special rapporteur collaborates with UN agencies, regional organisations, civil society groups, and Eritrean diaspora communities to gather insights and encourage dialogue on human rights improvements.
Investigating Human Rights Violations by documenting human rights violations in Eritrea, including indefinite national service, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and restrictions on freedoms of expression, assembly, religion, and movement. Given the lack of access to the country, investigations rely on testimonies from victims, exiled Eritreans, human rights defenders, and independent sources to verify allegations and provide credible evidence.
Advocacy and Recommendations. The mandate includes making recommendations for legal and policy reforms to improve human rights conditions in Eritrea. The SR supports efforts toward accountability and justice for victims of human rights abuses and encourages Eritrea to implement Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations and engage with UN treaty bodies to strengthen human rights protections.
Reporting and Public Awareness. The SR presents annual reports to the Human Rights Council (HRC) and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to maintain international focus on Eritrea's human rights situation. In addition, the mandate raises global awareness and mobilises diplomatic and humanitarian responses to ongoing human rights challenges in the country.
Over the years, several individuals have served in this capacity, each highlighting persistent issues such as indefinite national service, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. Despite repeated requests, the Eritrean government has consistently denied access to the Special Rapporteurs, limiting their ability to conduct in-country assessments. Nevertheless, the Special Rapporteurs have continued to gather information through interviews with Eritrean refugees, diaspora communities, and other reliable sources. Their reports have been instrumental in keeping the international community informed and have led to various resolutions and actions to address the human rights challenges in Eritrea.
Panel Discussion
Key advancements include increased school enrolments, gender parity at the primary level, and improved immunisation coverage, which now stands at 95% for children. In collaboration with the UN, Eritrea provided essential health services to over one million newborns, children, and women in 2020. The number of schools increased from 1,930 in 2015 to 2,351 in 2023, with growing female participation in higher education.
Efforts to combat female genital mutilation (FGM) have led to a significant decline in cases, as shown by a 2024 study across 1,086 villages. The prevalence of FGM dropped to 2.3% among girls under five and 4.4% under 15, with 12 out of 67 sub-zones now FGM-free. Eritrea also ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in December 2024, reinforcing its commitment to disability rights.
Despite this progress, grave human rights concerns persist. Eritrea enforces indefinite military service, leading to torture, sexual violence, forced conscription, and exploitative labour practices. Many Eritreans flee to escape these conditions, facing human trafficking and sexual violence. The government has ignored international calls to limit national service to 18 months and to end punitive actions against draft evaders' families.
Reports continue to highlight arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression, association, and assembly. Political figures, journalists, and religious practitioners are frequently held incommunicado without trial. Eritrea has neither enacted legal or judicial reforms nor shown the political will to address impunity for past and ongoing abuses, including those documented by the Commission of Inquiry (2014, 2016) and the OHCHR-Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (2023) regarding Eritrean Defence Forces' actions in Tigray.
Furthermore, Eritrean forces have not withdrawn from Ethiopia’s Tigray region, violating the 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Reports indicate that they continue to commit abductions, rape, looting, and arbitrary arrests. Ms Kehris called for their immediate withdrawal and for Eritrea to hold perpetrators accountable. However, Eritrea has failed to engage with international human rights mechanisms or submit required reports to UN bodies on torture, racial discrimination, and civil rights.
She urged Eritrea to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur on its human rights situation and grant access to thematic mandate holders, including the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and Special Rapporteurs on torture and peaceful assembly. Moreover, she called on the international community to support Eritrea's engagement with the UN Human Rights Council and ensure accountability and progress in human rights protections.
The Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea, Mr Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, acknowledged Eritrea’s increased engagement with international human rights mechanisms, including its Universal Periodic Review and review by the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Eritrea ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in December 2024. However, while these actions show some willingness to engage internationally, concerns persist regarding Eritrea's failure to implement recommendations from human rights bodies.
He stated that despite these advancements, the government has refused to engage with the Special Rapporteur, rejecting invitations for dialogue and a country visit, raising doubts about its transparency and commitment to addressing human rights violations.
Ongoing Human Rights Violations
Eritrea continues to face a severe human rights crisis marked by systematic suppression of freedoms, impunity, and lack of access to justice. Due to long-standing restrictions on freedom of association, assembly, and expression, the country remains without independent media, civil society organisations, or political parties.
Freedom of religion is also heavily restricted, with the government controlling religious institutions and arbitrarily detaining religious leaders. Hundreds of cases of enforced disappearances remain unresolved, including those of political dissidents, religious figures, and journalists such as Dawit Isaak and Siham Ali, who have been missing for decades. Some disappearances date back over 30 years. The SR urged the government to disclose information on missing persons and release those still detained.
Forced Labour and Indefinite National Service
The Eritrean national service system remains a significant concern. Despite international calls for reform, the government has not limited service to the statutory 18 months, and reports suggest conscription can last for decades, affecting multiple generations. This system restricts career choices, increases school dropout rates, and disrupts family structures, with many children growing up without one or both parents.
Reports indicate that conditions in national service include arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane treatment, with reprisals against families of draft evaders. The situation has led to mass migration, with over 100,000 Eritreans seeking asylum in 2023, citing forced labour and repression as primary reasons.
Calls for Concrete Action
The Special Rapporteur stressed the need for meaningful reforms, warning that human rights reporting risks becoming symbolic without implementation. He urged the Eritrean government to move beyond formal engagement and demonstrate genuine commitment to reform. He called on the international community to remain impartial, take decisive action, and use all available tools to promote genuine human rights progress in Eritrea.
Country Concerned
The Representative Chargé d'affaires Permanent Mission of Eritrea at UNOG, Mr Habtom Zerai, criticised the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue as biased and repetitive. He accused the Human Rights Council of unfairly targeting Eritrea while ignoring violations elsewhere. Additionally, he condemned sanctions and diplomatic pressure as politically motivated attempts to undermine the country. He characterised the process as a staged performance, where the same accusations and narratives are recycled each year under the guise of holding Eritrea accountable.
He asserted that the discussions, ongoing for over a decade, have failed to yield meaningful results, instead focusing on what he termed as “naming and shaming” tactics against a sovereign state. Eritrea, with a population of 3.5 million, was presented as a nation resilient in the face of external pressures yet continually subjected to scrutiny by unverified human rights advocates and civil society organisations.
He stated that despite these challenges, Eritrea has actively engaged with United Nations agencies, particularly through the UN Country Office in Asmara, which remains fully operational and involved in development initiatives. Moreover, he argued that while Eritrea has engaged with credible UN agencies, its efforts have been overshadowed by rhetorical attacks and misinformation.
He highlighted Eritrea’s progress in education, healthcare, and infrastructure despite economic restrictions. Data from Eritrea’s Ministry of Education shows an increase in the number of schools from 1,930 in 2015 to 2,351 in 2023, alongside an improvement in gender parity at the primary education level. In the healthcare sector, the government, in collaboration with the UN system, provided essential medical services to over 1 million newborns, children, and women in 2020.
Moreover, Eritrea also reported a 95% immunisation coverage rate among children. Furthermore, in December 2024, the country ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, demonstrating its commitment to international human rights frameworks.
The Representative of Civil Society, Mr. Yohannes Ghebrehiwet, presented a statement on behalf of religious communities persecuted in Eritrea; he condemned the severe restrictions on freedom of religion and belief imposed by the Eritrean government. He stated that since 1993, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been denied citizenship for refusing to participate in the independence referendum due to their religious beliefs.
He further stated that the Eritrean government has systematically controlled and limited religious expression and denied citizenship to Jehovah’s Witnesses due to their refusal to participate in the country’s independence referendum. Since 2000, members of this group have been arrested without due process. In 2002, Eritrea further restricted religious freedom by refusing to recognise evangelical churches, prohibiting worship, and subjecting members to indefinite imprisonment for gathering, even in private homes.
He stated that Eritrea recognises only four religious groups: the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Islam. However, even within these recognised denominations, religious leaders have faced persecution.
In 2006, His Holiness Patriarch Antonios, leader of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, was unlawfully removed from office, placed under house arrest, and denied medical care until his death in 2022. The Church later recognised him as "Antonios the Confessor," a martyr who suffered persecution without shedding blood. His case has been widely condemned by international human rights organisations.
The systematic persecution extends beyond Christians, as Muslim religious leaders and worshippers have also been detained without trial. Many monks and clergy members are held under harsh conditions, with a lack of access to medical care and basic necessities. The Catholic Church has also been targeted, with religious institutions being forcibly shut down and clergy members arrested.
Religious leaders from various Christian denominations have also been detained without trial for decades. In 2004, Reverend Dr. Tewoldebrhan, Reverend Dr. Kiflu, Pastor Dr. Kidane, Pastor Haile, and Pastor Muse were arrested in Asmara and have remained imprisoned without charge or trial, often subjecting them to torture and denying them medical care. Reports indicate that 21 monks and 12 ministers from the Abune Andreas Monastery have also been detained under similar conditions.
Moreover, prominent Muslim leaders have also suffered repression. Sheikh Musa Mohammed Nur, a respected Islamic scholar, died in prison in 2018 after being detained in 2017 for opposing government interference in religious affairs. Reports suggest that hundreds of Muslim clerics and teachers have been imprisoned without trial, further exacerbating tensions between religious communities and the state.
He stated that Catholic institutions also faced government crackdowns. In 2019, the Eritrean government began closing Catholic-run schools and medical clinics and arresting clergy and nuns. In October 2022, His Grace Bishop Fikremariam Hagos, the Catholic Bishop of Segheneity, was detained for 74 days without charge, alongside other religious leaders who remained in custody.
Interactive Dialogue
The Representative of the European Union acknowledged Eritrea’s progress in social rights, particularly in health and education, and encouraged continued collaboration with the United Nations. The representative welcomed Eritrea’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and urged the government to grant full access to the Special Rapporteur.
However, he expressed deep concern over ongoing human rights violations, calling for an end to arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, and transnational repression. It also urged Eritrea to open civic space and establish independent rule-of-law institutions. The representative reiterated the EU’s call to abolish the country's obligatory and indefinite national service, including the reported conscription of children, and to recognise the right to conscientious objection. Additionally, it demanded the complete withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Ethiopian territory and credible investigations into alleged human rights abuses.
While welcoming progress in reducing female genital mutilation (FGM) and early and forced marriages, the EU encouraged Eritrea to address the concerns raised by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Reaffirming its commitment to supporting the Eritrean people, the representative requested further insights from the Special Rapporteur on implementing the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations.
The Representative
He welcomed Eritrea's submission of its fifth and sixth combined periodic reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child for 2014–2019. He also acknowledged Eritrea's ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 20th December 2024, recognising these as positive steps.
The representative encouraged the international community to support Eritrea's efforts in advancing its human rights commitments. Additionally, the African Group urged Eritrea and UN mechanisms to continue their cooperation constructively and positively.
The representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) expressed strong opposition to the country-specific mandate applied to Eritrea, which has been in place for the past 13 years. The representative criticised what it deemed a selective, politically motivated, and confrontational approach to addressing human rights issues in Eritrea. He argued that such practices, which they believe target sovereign states under the guise of human rights protection, are detrimental to the genuine promotion and safeguarding of human rights. The representative contended that debates driven by prejudice and political objectives are ineffective in advancing human rights.
Furthermore, the representative acknowledged that Eritrea has made significant progress in various areas of human rights promotion and protection. He urged that these efforts be recognised and encouraged. He also called for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to refrain from applying politically motivated selectivity and double standards in human rights. Instead, they advocated for constructive dialogue and cooperation as the most effective means to promote and protect human rights globally.
The representative of Zimbabwe strongly condem
The representative further criticised the selective imposition of country-specific mechanisms on targeted nations, stating that such actions contravene the core principles of the Human Rights Council, including objectivity, non-selectivity, and constructive dialogue.
The representative emphasised that this approach is counterproductive and undermines the Council's effectiveness. Instead, he called for the Human Rights Council to acknowledge and support Eritrea's efforts to meet the needs of its population through dialogue and cooperation focused on developing capacity rather than punitive measures.
The representative argued that the only effective way to promote human rights in all countries is through dialogue and cooperation grounded in impartiality, mutual respect, and non-interference, without manipulation or double standards.
Furthermore, he called for the Council to move away from outdated, ineffective, and intrusive practices that interfere with the affairs of the Global South, such as the case with Eritrea, and to prioritise cooperation and respectful dialogue instead. As a first step toward this new approach, the representative urged the end of unilateral coercive measures imposed on Eritrea, which he argued have a negative impact on its people's hum
The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stated that despite Eritrea's membership in the Human Rights Council, the country has not improved its human rights record nor engaged with the Special Rapporteur. The representative reiterated the urgent need for Eritrea to reform its national service, calling for steps to regularise its duration and increase exemptions. These reforms, he argued, would allow young people to choose their career paths freely and restore their trust in the government.
Furthermore, the representative condemned reports of transnational oppression, including refugees facing harassment and intimidation, particularly in the UK, and deemed these actions completely unacceptable. The UK emphasised that it would take legal action against perpetrators of such behaviour.
Moreover, he called for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained in Eritrea and urged the government to take concrete steps to protect freedom of expression. He stressed that a free and open society is essential for stability and prosperity. The representative also asked the Special Rapporteur about the state of civic space in Eritrea and so
The representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expressed regret that the Council was once again addressing the human rights situation in Eritrea under what he described as a hostile resolution driven by a few Western states. The representative condemned Western states' use of human rights mechanisms to target sovereign nations that refuse to yield to external pressures. The representative rejected such mandates, especially when they lacked the consent of the country concerned, as they violated the principles of sovereignty and non-interference enshrined in the UN Charter.
Furthermore, he highlighted Eritrea's active cooperation with the Human Rights Council, its mechanisms, and treaty bodies, noting that the country provides timely information regarding its human rights efforts. The representative supported Eritrea's actions in responding to recommendations made during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle, emphasising that voluntary mechanisms like the UPR are more effective for advancing human rights than imposed ones.
The representative called for an end to the "failed meddling" approach, urging states to end this hostile mandate, which they argued has wasted scarce resources and led to a lost decade.
Furthermore, he reiterated the importance of adhering to the Council's core principles—genuine dialogue, cooperation, and non-politicisation—as the foundation for promoting and protecting human rights.
Closing Remarks
Mr. Yohannes Ghebrehiwet, the Civil Society Representative, condemned Eritrea's human rights abuses, including religious persecution, political repression, and the indefinite detention of prisoners like the G15 and journalists. He highlighted the collapse of healthcare and education, noting that the country's only university has been closed since 2006, while many young people remain trapped in harsh military service.
Describing Eritrea's indefinite national service as modern-day slavery, he criticised the country's 34-year one-party rule without a constitution or elections. He called for the immediate release of political and religious prisoners, an end to forced conscription, and more substantial international pressure on the government.
Additionally, he urged the Human Rights Council to continue investigating the human rights crisis in Eritrea and increase pressure on the government to respect the dignity of its citizens.
Mr Habtom Zerai, Chargé d'Affaires Permanent Mission of Eritrea at UNOG, reiterated his frustration with the repetitive cycle of human rights discussions, which he described as baseless and politically motivated. He criticised the Assistant High Commissioner for relying on recycled reports and false claims, warning that this approach undermines constructive dialogue and diplomatic relations.
Highlighting Eritrea's achievements in education, health, and social equity, Mr. Zerai argued that these are often overlooked by special mandates. He dismissed the mandate as a politically driven tool that violates national sovereignty and the UN Charter, asserting Eritrea's right to manage its own affairs.
He called for human rights to be pursued through respectful dialogue, not through politically motivated actions, and urged the Council to terminate the mandate at the 59th session in June, allowing Eritrea to engage as an equal partner.
Mr Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Eritrea, raised concerns over the country's lack of progress on key 2019 UPR recommendations, particularly regarding civil and political rights, judicial independence, indefinite military service, and enforced disappearances. He stressed the need for sustained pressure and support for transitional justice, including accountability for crimes against humanity, while advocating for victim groups and civil society organisations.
Mr. Babiker called for a comprehensive review of the mandate, urging the Council to assess Eritrea's progress and implementation of past recommendations. He acknowledged the UK's focus on transnational repression and emphasised the importance of greater cooperation with Eritrean authorities to resolve long-standing cases, including disappearances spanning 30 years.
Reaffirming the mandate's constructive nature, he reiterated his commitment to dialogue with Eritrean representatives.
Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, expressed concern about the country's overall human rights situation and emphasised the need for Eritrea to address persistent human rights violations. She particularly highlighted issues such as arbitrary detentions, incommunicado detention, indefinite national service, and the need for legal and institutional reforms.
She reaffirmed her office's readiness to assist Eritrea in addressing these issues and welcomed the willingness of Eritrean representatives to engage with her office. Ms Kehris also emphasised the importance of continuing cooperation with Eritrea, especially in implementing sustainable development frameworks and recommendations from UN human rights mechanisms. Finally, she encouraged Eritrea to ratify additional key human rights treaties, including those related to enforced disappearances and the protection of migrant workers.
Position of Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ)
Geneva International Centre for Justice acknowledges and welcomes Eritrea's recent ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and commends the progress made in social rights. GICJ reiterates that significant concerns persist regarding the repression of fundamental freedoms. The situation in Eritrea remains marked by systematic restrictions on freedoms of opinion, association, religion, and expression. These rights continue to be severely curtailed, with government critics facing widespread persecution. Forced disappearances and arbitrary detentions continue to be critical issues, depriving individuals of their fundamental human rights without due process.
Furthermore, GICJ is deeply concerned about the ongoing presence of Eritrean forces in Ethiopia's Tigray region in violation of the 2022 cessation of hostilities agreement. GICJ calls on Eritrea to withdraw its troops from the region without delay and to launch thorough investigations into the alleged human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law committed by Eritrean forces during the conflict.
Moreover, GICJ calls on the Eritrean government to uphold the rule of law and fully adhere to its international human rights obligations. It is crucial that Eritrea takes immediate steps to address these violations and works towards creating an environment where the rights of all individuals are respected.
Furthermore, GICJ calls for Eritrea's full cooperation with international human rights mechanisms and urges the government to engage constructively with these bodies to address the human rights crisis that continues to unfold in the country. The continued renewal of the mandate by the Human Rights Council reflects the urgency of addressing the human rights crisis in Eritrea and the need for sustained international attention.
The Special Rapporteur’s mandate remains essential in keeping the international spotlight on Eritrea’s human rights situation, ensuring that violations do not go unnoticed, and advocating for meaningful change.
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