UN expert urges Eritrea to allow
religious institutions to operate freely and respect the right of freedom of
religion
GENEVA (21 June 2019) ‑ The UN Special Rapporteur on the
situation of human rights in Eritrea has expressed serious concern over the curtailment
of Catholic Church activities in the country and the arbitrary arrest and
detention of members of Orthodox and Christian congregations in recent weeks.
“These actions show that, despite
the improved regional climate for peace and security, the human rights
situation in Eritrea remains unchanged,” said Daniela Kravetz. “I urge Eritrea
to live up to its international commitments as a member of the Human Rights
Council and allow religious institutions to operate freely and all Eritreans to
exercise their right to freedom of religion within the country.”
On 12 June 2019, the Eritrean
authorities ordered the seizure of all health centres managed by the Catholic
Church. According to the information received, in some instances, soldiers were
posted outside the health facilities, patients were ordered to go home, and
health staff threatened.
“The seizure of these health
facilities will negatively impact the right to health of the affected
populations, in particular those in remote rural areas. By curtailing the
activities of the Catholic Church, the Eritrean authorities are restricting the
right of their citizens to enjoy quality health care,” the UN expert said.
The Catholic Church manages some 40
hospitals and health centres in the country, mainly in rural areas, and some of
these centres operate inside monasteries. Most provide free health services and
many have operated since the 1990s.
The Special Rapporteur said the
move by the authorities follows a call by the Catholic Church for genuine
dialogue on peace and reconciliation in Eritrea. In a pastoral letter issued on
29 April, Eritrea’s four Catholic bishops had called on the authorities to
adopt a comprehensive truth and reconciliation plan to promote dialogue and
strengthen peacebuilding. The letter also urged the authorities to implement
reforms so that Eritreans would stop fleeing their country.
The Special Rapporteur also received
reports that, on 13 June, security forces arrested five Orthodox priests from
the Debre Bizen monastery. The priests ‑ three over 70 years old ‑ were allegedly arrested for opposing the government’s
interference in the affairs of the Church.
In addition, Kravetz received
reports that, last month, the Eritrean authorities arrested Christians for
practicing their faith. On 17 May, around 30 Pentecostal Christians were
reportedly arrested during prayer meetings at different locations in Godeif,
south of the capital Asmara. Around 10 May, security agents reportedly arrested
around 141 Christians, including 104 women and 14 children, during a private
gathering in the Mai Temenai district of Asmara. Some of those arrested were
reportedly taken to Adi Abeito prison, while others were held by the police.
Around 50 of these detainees have reportedly since been released, and the
remaining individuals are said to still be in prison without charge.
Kravetz stressed that the arrest of
individuals for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of religion and
belief is a clear violation of Eritrea’s obligations under international human
rights law. She recalled that freedom of religion is central to the ability of
Eritreans to live together peacefully. “I urge the Government to allow the
Eritrean people to exercise their right to freedom of religion and to release
those who have been imprisoned for their religious beliefs.”
The Special Rapporteur will share
her findings in relation to the situation of human rights in Eritrea during an
interactive dialogue scheduled to take place on 2 July 2019 at the Human Rights
Council in Geneva.
ENDS
Ms. Daniela Kravetz (Chile) was
appointed in October 2018 as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human
rights in Eritrea. She is an attorney with extensive experience in human
rights, accountability, gender-based violence and access to justice in conflict
and post-conflict settings. Her experience covers countries in Latin America,
Africa, and the former Yugoslavia.
The Special Rapporteurs are part of
what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special
Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights
system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and
monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or
thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a
voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their
work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in
their individual capacity.
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