Eritrea: UN Human Rights Commission accuses Eritrea"s leaders of crimes against humanity

Eritrea | 03 July 2016

A Commission of Inquiry set up by the UN Human Rights Commission has now formally accused Eritrean leaders of crimes against humanity, as reported by the New York Times on 8 June 2016. The report is based mainly on the testimony of 833 Eritreans living as refugees in 13 countries. The crimes include rape, murder, enslavement, imprisonment, disappearances and torture. The Eritrean government responded to the report by saying that it is an attack not only on Eritrea but on Africa in general. The Commission suggests referring the matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order to hold the country"s leaders to account and also reports that the country"s regime is engaged in violating freedom of religion and belief. Yonas Dembele, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, explains: "Dubbed the North Korea of Africa, Eritrea has consistently violated fundamental citizens" rights and has long been designated a Country of Particular Concern by the US State Department. This UN report is an official confirmation of what has long been known worldwide. Regarding religious freedom, the country"s regime has been imprisoning people purely on grounds of faith for years, as Open Doors World Watch List findings have repeatedly confirmed."