Eritrea

Eritrea’s government is extraordinarily repressive, subjecting its population to widespread forced labor and conscription, imposing restrictions on freedom of expression, opinion, and faith, and restricting independent scrutiny by international monitors. As a one-man dictatorship under President Isaias Afewerki, Eritrea has no legislature, no independent civil society organizations or media outlets, and no independent judiciary. Elections have never been held in the country since it gained independence in 1993, and the government has never implemented the 1997 constitution guaranteeing civil rights and limiting executive power. Since signing the peace deal with Ethiopia in 2018, the government has increased its regional and international diplomatic engagement but has not taken steps to improve the plight of Eritreans.

Crisis and Conflict

April 6, 2022
News Release
Ethiopia: Crimes Against Humanity in Western Tigray Zone
Children's Rights

March 21, 2022
Dispatches
Africa’s Governments Can Do More to Protect Pregnant Students

Adi Radhakrishnan

Leonard H. Sandler Fellow, Children's Rights Division
Migrant and Refugee Children

January 27, 2022
News Release
Egypt: Forced Returns of Eritrean Asylum Seekers

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September 16, 2021 Report

Ethiopia: Eritrean Refugees Targeted in Tigray

Need for Urgent Protection, Assistance; Thousands Still Missing
May 28, 2021 Report

Ethiopia: Tigray Schools Occupied, Looted

Protect Students, Teachers in Region; Endorse Safe Schools Declaration
March 5, 2021 Report

Ethiopia: Eritrean Forces Massacre Tigray Civilians

UN Should Urgently Investigate Atrocities by All Parties
August 8, 2019 Report

“They Are Making Us into Slaves, Not Educating Us”

How Indefinite Conscription Restricts Young People’s Rights, Access to Education in Eritrea