(TRUK0123)
The atrocities committed against the Eritrean people by the regime has been a topic of concern and discussion of human rights organisations including the UNHRC which appointed a special rapporteur to investigate the Eritrean regime.
Evidence gathered by the rapporteur maps out the ongoing human rights violation in Eritrea. The stark evidence is that the Eritrean people who fought for their country’s independence are now fleeing imprisonment, disappearances, and endless slavery by their own government.
The Eritrean regime’s abuse on its own people does not end at the boarders, through its embassies and operatives, control the lives of Eritrean refugees in the diaspora. Th regime infiltrates communities in the diaspora extending its arms in countries Eritrean have sought safety in.
Eritreans must fill and ‘Regret form’ and pay illegal 2% tax to get any of their documents from Eritrea; to send and package to Eritrea, ship any food for their people. In addition, it organises its supporters as its 4th Front to spy on and intimidate anyone who opposes the regime. The Eritrean embassies hold meetings of the government supporters or encourage them to keep contribution money to the Eritrean government, to spy/intimidate those who oppose and incite militarism and aggression
It also targets those who fled the indefinite military service calling them traitors who should be stripped of their Eritrean identity and must not be allowed into Eritrea again. This kind of isolation is a method of intimidating people and controlling what they do and think.
People who do not pay tax or ask questions about the government’s interference in the Church are denied and service and denied entrance and attendance of religious services.
In addition, registered community organisations find it difficult to do their work of bringing the community together, support and raise awareness (on Cancer, or autism, cardiovascular diseases, domestic violence and even vaccination) because people are warned not to attend any such events. Such activities of the Eritrean government prevent people from getting the much-needed support.
In conclusion, Eritrean refugees are exposed to harassment, social isolation, smear campaigns. These deliberate campaigns by the Eritrean government and its supporters have denied communities from thriving and providing the support to the members.
We ask the Government of the United Kingdom to recognise the physical, emotional, psychological, financial and social repression Eritreans who sought safety here are being subjected to. Furthermore, we also request that proper investigation be conducted and necessary measures be taken to stop the repression by the Eritrean regime from being exercised in this democratic country.
(Feb 2025)