Eritrea: ‘10,000 political prisoners in awful conditions’ – BBC
Thousands of political prisoners are being held by Eritrea in "unimaginably atrocious conditions", says Amnesty International, and not one has ever been charged with any crime. The rights group says at least 10,000 people have been
Thousands of political prisoners are being held by Eritrea in “unimaginably atrocious conditions”, says Amnesty International, and not one has ever been charged with any crime.
The rights group says at least 10,000 people have been jailed for political reasons since President Isaias Afewerki came to power 20 years ago.
It says torture is widespread in a network of detention centres.
Eritrea’s ambassador to London Tesfamicael Gerahtu denied the charges.
He told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme that the number of 10,000 people imprisoned was a “mythical” figure and that people were free to express their view in the country.
The Eritrean ambassador also confirmed that Eritrea’s long-time Information Minister Ali Abdu had fled the country “about six months ago” but did not say why.
Some of those imprisoned are journalists or critics of the government, the Amnesty report says. Others have practised an unregistered religion, or tried to flee the country or avoid conscription into the army.
In most cases, prisoners’ families are not informed of their whereabouts, and often never hear from their relative again.
“The government has systematically used arbitrary arrest and detention without charge to crush all opposition, to silence all dissent, and to punish anyone who refuses to comply with the repressive restrictions it places on people’s lives,” said Claire Beston, Amnesty’s Eritrea researcher.
Eritrea in focus
- Once an Italian colony, Eritrea gained independence from neighbouring Ethiopia in 1993 after a 32-year armed struggle
- Relations with Ethiopia, a key US ally, deteriorated and the neighbours fought a border war between 1998 and 2000 in which some 100,000 people were killed
- The UN imposed sanctions on Eritrea in 2009 after accusations that President Isaias Afewerki’s government was backing anti-Ethiopian Islamist insurgents in Somalia
- Eritrea is the only African country to have no privately owned news media
- The UN estimates that 3,000 Eritreans left the country each month last year – often fleeing poverty and national service for men until the age of 40
- Eritrea is said to be on the brink of a mining boom, but economic progress is hampered by the proportion of those in the army rather than the workforce
“Twenty years on from the euphoric celebrations of independence, Eritrea is one of the most repressive, secretive and inaccessible countries in the world.”
Helicopter position
The facilities used as detention centres include underground cells or shipping containers, Amnesty says.
The group says some prisoners are left for days in what is known as the helicopter position – lying face down with their hands and feet bound together.
It says it has received many reports of deaths in detention resulting from torture, the bad conditions or suicide.
A former detainee held in a detention centre in Barentu told Amnesty:
“The room was about 2.5m by 3m [8 by 10 feet] and we were 33 people. It is very, very hot. The door is closed, the ceiling is low, about 2m. The temperature was about 50C.
“A boy, about 17 years old, was about to die. We were not permitted to speak, but we banged the door. They [the guards] told us they would kill all of us if we did not stop shouting. We couldn’t do anything to help him.”
Amnesty is calling for all prisoners to be either immediately charged with a recognisable crime or released.
ahmed saleh May 10, 2013
It is not only about the number of political prisoners which worry me most but rather the number of those
who lost their life in that unbearable cruel environment . At the end , when the time comes to reveal true
scenario , we will react with embarrassment particularly those Eritrean sold out who try to politicize facts .
Take consideration on those who survive their punishment in prison , many of them will come out mentally and
physically affected . It’s consequences should not be taken lightly , it is a serious matter God forbid .
jonas May 10, 2013
Those who support the menace Isayas are not Eritreans, their loyalty is to the dictator not to Eritrea. True bandas.
simerrr2012 May 10, 2013
Sometime many of us ask questions why people who can able read and write even well-educated people support the brutal dictator Isayas who kill , torture and deny all kind of right to their people. However, when I see our Eritrean case closely it give me simple answer. Many of them support him if they, their friends, their family, their tribe or social group benefits financially from tyranny against others. Like Professor Gidon, Dr. Brehane, Weyzero Sophia Tesfamariam, Dr.Welday Fitur, individuals who want to be political analyst like Amanuel Biedemariam. While it may appear true Isayas cannot survive for long if he cannot have the support of the Eritrean people but the dictator ensured that they at least have obedience, fear. Intellectuals like Gideon, Amanuel B, Sophia day and night tell our people black is white and the other sit in front of TV ere daily and consume the serving the dictator TV and close their minds for other source. The other victims are the YPFDJ(Young garbage’s or Hitler style youth) manipulated like individual Sirak Bahlibi( by the way the leader of Hitler Youth called Baldur Von Shirach. Did Yemane Monkey want the same name for YPFDJ Sirac and Shirach?)to make loud noises in European cities by dancing for the dictator like they do in Sweden to demonstrate to shut down the one of the Swedish media…very funny people. I do not blame those kids , they just want to be somebody where they are nobody in places they were born. Most of them came from welfare Eritrean families who hardly read and write , who sit on the couch consume Eri Tv and the only thing they can give them is the false pride to be Eritrean is something special. If you cannot be successful in Britain, Sweden, German, Italian, American, Canadian where you were born come to Yemane Monkey to make you proud Eritrean in Europe and America without proper Education and once a year you dine in fancy restaurant for three days and you feel good. Welcome to Yemane Monkeys world. They spent for you 1 million dollars for three days for 700 delegates almost more than 1000 dollars per delegate when a young Eritrean defending the country earn 100 dollars for one year. Social Justice Higdef Style. Now here I put AA Yassin why he support Isayas..do not waste your time by replying to him ..just ignore him.
Semhar May 10, 2013
As long as Isayas and HIGDEF are in Eritrea misery and death will continue.
The only solution is to get rid of crazy mad dog ድያብሎስ!Isayas wedi Medhin Berad, his son, and his blind followers HIGDEF just like the Libyans did to Gadafi, his sons and his followers. Eritreans should unite and get rid the tyrant mad dog Isayas, his son and his blind followers the HIGDEF.
Semere May 10, 2013
This is not new to Eritreans. The real challenge is what the International community will do with this information. On other regions they are quick to respond and to disseminate information. What about for Eritrea?
Haben May 10, 2013
No oil, no intervention.
Semere May 10, 2013
Unfortunately, you are very correct Haben. But they should know that our human dignity is much more important than the oil and the gold. We shall not stop to defend our God-given rights.
ahmed saleh May 10, 2013
Do not forget after independence when international communities start give a hand to that new established
nation named Eritrea , Issayas for a reason only he knows start to kick them out from the country in 1990’s
to cover himself from his dirty agenda by blaming CIA and Weyane .
mohamed May 10, 2013
If the political climate for Eritrians in Eritrea is that so bsd, why is the world standing by and do nothing? Why do the Eritreans not come out and be prepared to fight for their God given right as did Libya, Egypt and other African countries? Although, Eritrea may not have enough oil to attract outside intervention, but with time and determination, they shall prevail.
Truly truly i say to you May 10, 2013
I hardly blame the Amnesty international, Reporters without Borders for their idly toothless accusation, but specially the United Nation Security Cancel for that imposed sanction against Eritrea. This Is really a mockery of justice that is done against the poor helpless people and nation. If they mean Eritrea found guilty, its leaders are very repressive by all the accusation they have; they should have to know at first place as there is no a legal president or a government in Eritrea which is elected by people choice to represent us as nation level. There is only a gathering of bandits with a rule of jungle ruling. Everyone knows election as held even in all dictatorial regimes this world once in four or five years, be we call it their election is fare or unfair. But in Eritrea since the nation gets its independence up to now for 22 years even once there is no held election. This is by itself could be a clear indication as we don´t have a normal government, let alone by people choice, even by those bandits choice will elect president. So for such and many other crimes Isayas committing, the UN should not to sanction and persecute our nation and innocent people as a whole ; and AI and Reporters without borders should not simply accusing only, but stay after passive. If they will, the right and fare justice was be from the beginning to bring the perpetrators Isayas and his few colleagues to The International Criminal Court in Den Hag; so that they face justice for they in deed are repressing,committing terror,genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
spadeIsspade May 10, 2013
The fruits of shabiya’s independence. I wonder if any who attends concerts setup by shaabiya for May 24 is really sane. The day shaabiya became independent to do whatever it wants with the peolple, the day for the begining of mass killing, imprisonment of wedi hager n’ wedi hager. Zeger’mn zeh’z’n n k’fuu mengsti
yohannes May 10, 2013
I don’t have much new to say, but do the Isaias lackeys know that Castro of Cuba was opposed for his undemocratic rule by none other than his own daughter? So as human beings, if they are not primates, I would like to ask them to reflect for a moment and take a stand to avoid embarassment in the near future.
But do they know what it means to be embarassed?
samra May 10, 2013
Well said simerrr2012 !!!!!
Anti PFDJ and YPFDJ/HEDGEF May 10, 2013
The Western governments in general and the USA in particular are not concerned about Eritreans suffering under the evil dictator. Had Eritrea haft oil, they would have finished the butcher in Asmara long ago as they did in Iraq, Libya…Why do the Western governments allow for example Monkey to come in and out to their countries in order to organize our modern day sons and daughter of Hitler, the YPFDJ. Where is the so called sanction on individuals? Shame on you all who are still supporting the murderer in order to continue his assaults on the Eritrean people, shame on you! But for sure, there will come a time when you will face justice, standing in front a judge; staring at the floor and showering in you own sweat.
sidiabdu@gmail.com May 10, 2013
Thanks God the rot is smelling.