11:12 AM
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The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea said authorities in Asmara have refused her entry into the country to asses the human rights situation in one of the world’s most repressive nation.
Speaking at the 53rd session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul, Gambia, Beedwantee Keetharuth said this week that the Eritrean government have failed to cooperate as required by the UN Human Rights Council.
As a result she said she would be forced to undertake her mission - assessing the human rights situation in Eritrea - by talking to refugees in neighbouring countries.
“In the meantime, I will engage with all others concerned by human rights in Eritrea, including those who consider themselves to be victims of alleged human rights violations, human rights defenders and other civil society actors,” she said.
It is to be recalled that the Eritrean government immediately rejected the appointment of the UN Special Rapporteur by the UN Human Rights Council last July.
In a statement the Eritrean government said it won’t accept the mandate, describing her appointment as politically motivated.
Eritrea’s regional rival Ethiopia, however, has welcomed the appointment then and called upon its neighbour to comply with the resolutions of the Human Rights Council.
The UN Special Rapporteur to Eritrea is mandated to investigate the situation of human rights in Eritrea as the regime of the reclusive nation allegedly continues to commit widespread and gross human right violations.
The Special Rapporteur will present her first report on the human rights situation in Eritrea to the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly in June 2013.
Keetharuth called on the Eritrean government to “consider the mandate of the Special Rapporteur as an opportunity to start a fresh and constructive dialogue on human rights issues that have been raised by the international community and other stakeholders”.
(ST)