High Commissioner said many refugees appear to have been caught in crossfire, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam were detained on Sept. 17, 1994, apparently because they conscientiously objected to military service, according to a report published. On 4 December 2020, the government released 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea in her final statement to the UN Third Committee in New York in paulos eyasu, isaac mogos and negede teklemariam releasedherramientas usadas para taller paulos eyasu, isaac mogos and negede teklemariam released. On December 4, 2020, 26 brothers and 2 sisters in Eritrea were set free after being imprisoned for their faith. Or is something happening on a global scale that we donot yet know about? As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years. We call on the Jehovah's Witnesses are required to remain politically neutral as part of their faith, abstaining from voting, running for office and partaking in military service. The intention was for everyone to see.. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? I wonder why they dont wear masks? I cannot imagine how these dear ones will adjust after so long imprisoned. Most of the prisoners were freed from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, near the capital, Asmara, on 1 February. Three brothersPaulos Eyassu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariamhave been in prison since September 1994, and the government has held another nine brothers for at least ten years. There were over 96,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray before the crisis, living largely in four refugee camps, including Hitsats, Mai-Aini, Adi Harush, and Shemelba. Currently, our jw.org lists 7 countries by name , and "other lands" , for a total of more than 165 brothers and sisters incarcerated. In Eritrea, the report mentioned that 52 Jehovah's Witnesses were in jail (as mentioned earlier, 28 were released on December 4). In my update today, I will focus on the (a) the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the context of the ongoing Tigray crisis in Ethiopia, which added a new complicated dynamic in monitoring the human rights of the Eritrean people, and (b) the progress made in relation to the benchmarks set out in the reports of my predecessor. Earlier this year, the United Nations Human Rights Committee asked Eritrea "to release all persons arrested or detained for exercising their freedom of religion, including Jehovahs Witnesses." In Eritrea, Jehovahs Witnesses are in prison as conscientious objectors to military service, for holding underground religious meetings or for attempts to share their beliefs with others. Sorry for the Trouble. As a worldwide association of brothers, we rejoice over this development. On 4 December 2020, the government released 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea in her final statement to the UN Third Committee in New York in October 2020. However, this good news must That was the last time I saw my friend. All rights reserved. Soon after Eritrea gained independence in 1993, President Isaias Afwerki began a crackdown on religious groups he felt opposed to the state. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. On 4 December 2020, the government released 24 Jehovahs On 6 July 2017, the European Parliaments resolution on Eritrea, notably the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak, condemned in the strongest terms Eritreas systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations, and called upon the Eritrean Government to put an end to detention of the opposition, journalists, religious leaders and innocent civilians. JWTalk - Jehovah's Witnesses Online Community You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN. The Eritrean government's persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses goes back to the early 1990s, when the country became independent after a 1993 referendum. The Eritrean authorities will demonstrate their genuine commitment to human rights when they release those individuals arbitrarily held in Eritrean prisons and provide information about those who have . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Around 3,000 former residents of Shimelba and Hitsat have reportedly managed to reach Mai Aini, one of the two remaining camps for Eritrean refugees in Tigray. Jehovahs Witnesses are politically neutral and conscientiously cannot participate in military service. We will need lots and lots of tissues for that broadcast. international community to press Eritrea for the immediate and unconditional release Witnesses, including the high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, We are a pro-JW community maintained by brothers and sisters around the world. CSW has offices in London, Brussels, Casper WY, Edinburgh, Washington DC and Kaduna. Join us and make a difference. They have spent between 5 and26 yearsin prison. detained. I canimagine a broadcast in the coming months containinginterviews with these faithful brothers and sisters. Ive prayed for these brothers and sisters ( often by name ) for many years. On Dec. 4, the government released 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Additionally, Jehovahs Witnesses develop missionary activities in close social networks and hold religious meetings in private homes, which is illegal. The trioidentified as Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariamhave been incarcerated in the East African nation since 1994, after refusing to partake in military service, part of their pacifist beliefs as Jehovah's Witnesses. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In 2018, two Jehovahs Witnesses died after their transfer to the Mai Serwa Prison. unfolding crisis in Tigray, including by imposing arms embargoes on the warring theia group stock I also welcome the release, on 4 December 2020, of 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the three conscientious objectors, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been. It hurt my heart to know that the best years of their lives were completely wasted in prison. As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years. It was very painful to lose such a friend. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. 144hz monitor stuttering; . Some of the prisoners had been held without charge or trial for up to 12 years. While the releases have been warmly welcomed, there is also speculation . The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26795&LangID=E, Eritrea one of the least accessible countries for humanitarian organisations, Searches, Arrests, and Tension in Eritrea, Eritreas jailed journalist exhibition opens in UK Parliament, Dispute over Patriach splits Norwegian Orthodox church in two, Twenty one years after being jailed, Eritreas independent journalists are remembered in the British Parliament. Male Jehovah's Witnesses between 18 and 40 often live in hiding, and if found by police, they face torture for objecting to military service. Thus, when the Witnesses contacted him, he immediately began to study the Bible with them and to attend their meetings. See our advertising page if you would like more information. It's well past the time they were released. that they mark the latest effort by the Eritrean regime to distract international Encouragement for the Worldwide Brotherhood, Breaking News/Eritrea prisoners released (merged), JWTalk - Jehovah's Witnesses Online Community. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". In Eritrea, the report mentioned that 52 Jehovah's Witnesses were in jail (as mentioned earlier, 28 were released on December 4). Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/eritrea/, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2017-0309_EN.html, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/G1914037.pdf, https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Egypt.pdf, https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Eritrea.pdf, Human Rights Without Frontiers International. While the releases have been warmly welcomed, there is also speculation that they mark the latest effort by the Eritrean regime to distract international attention from the country's active role in the ongoing war in Ethiopia's Tigray region, where Eritrean troops have been accused of violence which may amount to crimes against humanity, war crimes and possibly genocide. However, the Ethiopian government has denied the involvement of Eritrean soldiers in the conflict. Statements As a result, Witnesses are not allowed to hold government identity cards or business licenses, or to complete high school. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Most of the prisoners were freed from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, near the capital, Asmara, on 1 February. We also call for urgent action to arrest the High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, approximately 20,000 Eritrea's military abducted the victims with- out warrant or legitimate cause on September 17, 1994, ap- parently because they conscientiously objected to military service. Neither camp is currently accessible; however, in January 2021 satellite imagery revealed that both had been extensively and deliberately destroyed. the release of these Christians in Eritrea, who were detained without charge or Paulos Eyassu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, among others, have been imprisoned for over 20 years for their Christian faith. street, an event which was caught on camera and circulated via social media. and orthodox backgrounds were recently released from three prisons in Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports that the Christians - 70 in total - came from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds, with prison sentences ranging from two to 12 years. The new president declared that Eritrean-born Jehovahs Witnesses were no longer considered citizens primarily because they stood firm to their position of Christian neutrality by refusing to take part in National Service. The country lacks rule of law, a constitution and an independent judiciary to enforce the protection of and respect for human rights. refugees from Hitsat and Shimelba camps are currently missing. While in prison, this man saw firsthand that Jehovahs Witnesses live by what they teach. [4], The Special Rapporteur urged the Government of Eritrea to engage in dialogue with this congregation and release those in prison. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? There are no reliable figures on religious affiliation, but it is estimated that 49% of the population are Christian and 49% are Sunni Muslim.[1]. I'm so happy about this news that I have a silly smile on my face all day!!! If you want to discuss this subject, we prefer that you start a new topic. Gilles Pichaud I am concerned that the conditions in the camp have impact on the right to education. (845) 744-6000, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, who have been in prison in Eritrea since September 17, 1994. violence which may amount to crimes against humanity, war crimes and possibly Amazing news! Jehovahs Witnesses behind bars: some statistics. The women were arrested after worshipping in public as they were walking down a street, an event which was caught on camera and circulated via social media. I am particularly concerned about the two refugee camps, which hosted over 25,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray region, Hitsats and Shemelba, and which were allegedly destroyed in attacks carried out by Eritrean and Ethiopian troops between November 2020 and January 2021, despite their protected humanitarian status under the 1951 Convention on the Protection of refugees. Some Jehovahs Witness prisoners have been detained in metal shipping containers, while others were held in stone or metal buildings half buried in the ground. For more details about imprisoned Jehovahs Witnesses, seehttps://hrwf.eu/prisoners-database/. 1940s First communities of Jehovah's Witnesses are established in Eritrea. Kate Forbes: Would a Christian be permitted to lead Scotland. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Wouldn't it be thrilling if Jehovah was securing their release because the Great Tribulation was about to start? He was young and a person of impeccable character.". This week marked 25 years in prison without charges or trial for three men in Eritrea. PaulosEyassu, Isaac Mogos, Negede Teklamarium most of all. We will all keep watching closely for the latest developments. On 28 January 2021, in my letter to the Government of Ethiopia, I called on the Ethiopian authorities to protect the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the Tigray region, and to ensure respect for their rights under human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law. Human Rights Watch reported this was "the most common torture method noted by former conscripts and detainees, practiced in all the prisons and in Wi'a and Sawa military camps. It is reported that approximately 60 to 65 per cent of students at Sawa do not obtain the results needed for further studies and are either drafted directly into military service or sent to vocational training programmes. Sie wurden ohne Anklage oder Urteil festgehalten. Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam were detained on Sept. 17, 1994, apparently because they conscientiously objected to military service, according to a report published in August by the Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information. forcibly returned to Eritrea from two camps in Tigray, many of whom were allegedly 'Jesus Revolution' leaves out the tough stuff but gets the music right, Mark Wahlberg gives lessons on fasting during Lent, Sacked chaplain to appeal after losing employment tribunal case. Numerous Jehovahs Witnesses took part in these alternative options under different government administrations. currently accessible; however, in January 2021 satellite imagery revealed that I wonder if we'll learn at a later time the gravity of this And it has happened so suddenly! The authorities systematically issued Certificates of Completed National Service and often praised participants for their work. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. Recommended for countries of particular concern: Eritrea, 2020, 2020. https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Egypt.pdfhttps://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Eritrea.pdf. The prisoners had been held without charge or Press briefing note on Myanmar/Bangladesh - Rohingya, UN expert implores Myanmars Suu Kyi: open your eyes, listen, feel with your heart, National institutions and regional mechanisms. If you have any questions about our services, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us.. Was this article helpful? isaac mogos and negede teklemariam released . This is fantastically great news when so little news is good. There are currently 52 Jehovah's Witnesses being held without trial in Eritrea, according to the Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information. On December 4, 2020, 26 brothers and 2 sisters in Eritrea were set free after being imprisoned for their faith. We will continue to merge any new topics that are created about this Breaking News. They were paraded round the camp in the back of a Toyota pickup truck. In recent years, prominent human rights bodies have expressed increasing concern over Eritreas blatant disregard for international human rights standards, including cases involving Jehovahs Witnesses. None of the three have been charged or granted a hearing. Is it related to the Civil war in Ethiopia? More commonly though, they arrested individuals for undisclosed reasons. Since there are no effective domestic legal procedures or remedies available to them, their imprisonment amounts to a de facto life sentence. What's wrong with the House of Bishops' proposed same-sex prayers? Learn more about each topic, see who's involved, and find the latest news, reports, events and more. "I was with him the night before they arrested him," said Eyasu's friend, who asked for anonymity for protection. Thank you Jehovah . final statement We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. genocide. 70 Christen mit orthodoxem und evangelischem Hintergrund sind in Eritrea aus dem Gefngnis entlassen worden. As of 1 June 2020, HRWF documented 55 cases of Jehovahs Witnesses in its Prisoners Database,[2] 46 men and 9 women. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. And when will the authorities release Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, three conscientious objectors held for 26 years? A man came to Norway as a refugee from Eritrea in 2011. Since gaining independence, Eritrea's government has required indefinite national service by physically able adults between 18 and 70 years of age. in Tigray. There he found himself with three WitnessesPaulos Eyasu, Negede Teklemariam, and Isaac Mogoswho had been incarcerated for their faith since 1994. CSW said they were detained without charge or trial, and "should never have been incarcerated". ", Pichaud added that while the trio have been pressured to deny their faith in return for freedom, "they are not bitter against the authorities.". Citing eyewitnesses he met during a recent visit to Mai Aini, the According to July 2018 estimates by the US government, the total population of Eritrea is six million. With no beauracracy or lengthy procedure - just released suddenly! Is it related to the Civilwar in Ethiopia? There he found himself with three WitnessesPaulos Eyasu, Negede Teklemariam, and Isaac Mogoswho had been incarcerated for their faith since 1994. . The president also stripped them of basic civil rights. Such allegations need to be investigated promptly and thoroughly by independent mechanisms. On December 4, 2020, 26 brothers and 2 sisters in Eritrea were set free after being imprisoned for their faith. They have spent between 5 and26 yearsin prison. Ten other men have been in prison for over ten years. A Christian migrant from Eritrea shows a crucifix made of wood after she attended a Sunday mass at the makeshift church in "The New Jungle" near Calais, France, August 2, 2015. In this oral update, I request the Eritrean authorities to give me full access to refugees and asylum seekers allegedly held in various prisons inside Eritrea. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Zenebu detailed how she looked on as she saw Eritrean soldiers loot the belongings from residents homes. In 2013, Amnesty International researcher Claire Beston called Eritrea "one of the most repressive, secretive and inaccessible countries in the world.". As of September 17, 2019, three of the Witnesses, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, have been unjustly incarcerated for 25 years. Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariamhave been incarcerated in the Eritrea since 1994 Why can't the government allow them to take part in an alternative civilian service group to fulfil their obligation? She added that some Eritrean soldiers went from door-to-door, killing Tigrayan men and boys as young as 7 years old. I am also concerned about allegations of possible implication of Eritrean troops in cases of serious human rights violations, including acts of abductions, forceful or unvoluntary return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers, and their imprisonment in different prisons in Eritrea. The practice of arbitrary and incommunicado detentions in Eritrea has serious impact on the life of many Eritreans. The national service requirements oblige all secondary school students in the country to complete their final year at the Warsai Yekalo Secondary School, located in the Sawa military camp, and to undertake mandatory military training for approximately five months of that year. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I proposed that I visit Eritrea from 21 to 31 January 2021 to hold consultations with relevant officials from the Government and a range of actors with a view to assessing the human rights situation on the ground, and to exploring jointly future avenues for constructive engagement for the sake of the protection and promotion of human rights in the country. Retreat, Spirituality and Pilgrimage Centres. In addition, 39 men and 10 women who. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. After 19 years in detention, where is Dawit Isaak and when will he be released? Then from this day forward I will have a warm place in my heart for SARS-COVID-2. Stand up for Human Rights. Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose As our audience increases - so do our costs. Today or rather yesterday is going to be a good day and one to remember for a long time. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. The situation of detainees and political prisoners is particularly concerning. Such allegations need to be investigated promptly and thoroughly by independent mechanisms. Four others died in prison and three died after release, reportedly as a result of their treatment. However, our community is not an official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. ( sort of). Is something happening on a global scale that we donot yet know about? Finally, since my appointment, I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with Eritrean officials. Reports indicate that, in recent weeks, Eritrea has released 70 jailed Christians of evangelical and orthodox who were held in three prisons. Thanks for your help Tortuga !!! In December, 24 Jehovah's Witnesses were freed, among them high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years. Your email address will not be published. ERITREA Our brothers Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam released after more than 26 years in prison. managed to reach Mai Aini, one of the two remaining camps for Eritrean refugees While I welcome the release by the authorities of the Christians and Jehovahs Witnesses, I have to note that Eritrea continues to impose restrictions on religious freedoms. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I also ( suspiciously) wonder why this is happening now? Eritrea continues to have no national assembly to adopt laws, including those regulating fundamental rights and the right of the Eritrean people to participate freely in the public life of their country. On 4 December 2020, the government released 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the high-profile conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea in her final statement to the UN Third Committee in New York in You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. On 1 February, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released They are now aged 41, 40, and 38 respectively, having spent their youth in confinement. They were focused on trying to take everything of value, she added, saying that they even stole diapers. I also welcome the release, on 4 December 2020, of 24 Jehovah's Witnesses, including the three conscientious objectors, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea in her statement during the ultimate responsibility for human rights violations that are allegedly being In a sudden turn of events, the man himself was put in prison. I am in tears . Eritrea has failed to implement the recommendations issued by these authorities. On 28 January 2021, in my letter to the Government of Ethiopia, I called on the Ethiopian authorities to protect the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the Tigray region, and to ensure respect for their rights under human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law. [3] European Parliament, Resolution on the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak (2017/2755(RSP)) July 6, 2017. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2017-0309_EN.html. I proposed that I visit Eritrea from 21 to 31 January 2021 to hold consultations with relevant officials from the Government and a range of actors with a view to assessing the human rights situation on the ground, and to exploring jointly future avenues for constructive engagement for the sake of the protection and promotion of human rights in the country. What is the source ? By signing up you will receive news about CSW's work and how you can support it. Of the Jehovahs Witnesses currently imprisoned, 16 are known to have been arrested for conscientious objection to military service. both had been extensively and deliberately destroyed. These are other examples of numerous cases of individuals who are currently languishing in Eritrean prisons, with no prospect of release. Since 2006, JWTalk has proved to be a well-moderated online community for realJehovah's Witnesses on the web. 24 left!!!! The Parliament demanded that all prisoners of conscience in Eritrea be immediately and unconditionally released and that the Eritrean Government provide detailed information on the fate and whereabouts of all those deprived of physical liberty. by admin_HRWF | Dec 4, 2020 | Uncategorized. CSW welcomes the release of these Christians in Eritrea, who were detained without charge or trial, and should never have been incarcerated, CSW President Mervyn Thomas said. cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea in her Seventy Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds, including women, have been released from three prisons in Eritrea, some after being held without charge for more than a decade, according to the U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Please click here to learn how. I have received information from credible sources that, as of November 2020, the situation of these refugees and asylum seekers has become more precarious and worrisome. I am also concerned about allegations of possible implication of Eritrean troops in cases of serious human rights violations, including acts of abductions, forceful or unvoluntary return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers, and their imprisonment in different prisons in Eritrea. We send them this sms this morning and we are sure you would agree:Dear brothers, how wonderful Jehovah is. Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam are Je - hovah's Witnesses who are being held incommunicado by the State of Eritrea. In addition, 39 men and 10 women who are Witnesses are also imprisoned. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Last night I spoke to my husband about my prayers and what more I could say, as I had already given Jehovah several valid reasons why this matter had to come to a close. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I remain willing to engage constructively with the Government of Eritrea on urgent human rights concerns. Eritrea has not yet put in place an institutional and legal framework to uphold minimum human rights standards in a democratic society. HRWF (04.12.2020) On December 4, 2020, 26 male and 2 female Jehovahs Witnesses in Eritrea were set free after being imprisoned for their faith. It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved. Image copyright: Jehovah's Witnesses Office of Public Information. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Esteemed Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. Last month, witnesses spoke with TheAssociated Press, detailing killings, looting and other abuses committed by Eritrean soldiers in Tigray. I've also been praying for them by first name, when I learned they were imprisoned, for over 20 years at that time. Thus, as the physical head directs the movements and operations of the body, or the head one of a department supervises the organization and work of his staff, so the . "The courage of these three men, along with the other 39 men and 10 women, imprisoned in Eritrea for refusing to compromise their faith have been an inspiration to Jehovah's Witnesses all around the world," Pichaud told Newsweek, adding that the church has requested a meeting with President Afwerki. I also received first-hand accounts of allegations of grave human rights and humanitarian law violations, including extra judicial killings, targeted abductions and forced return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers to Eritrea, allegedly by Eritrean forces. Because they will not participate in compulsory military service, Eritrean authorities consider them to be opposed to the regime.
