Sanctions on Eritrea – UN Security Council Resolution 1907
11 November 2018 Sanctions on Eritrea UN Security Council Resolution 1907 In 2009 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1907, which imposed on Eritrea an arms embargo and targeted sanctions, including travel restrictions and asset freezes. The resolution
11 November 2018
Sanctions on Eritrea
UN Security Council Resolution 1907
In 2009 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1907, which imposed on Eritrea an arms embargo and targeted sanctions, including travel restrictions and asset freezes. The resolution noted that Eritrea had “provided political, financial and logistical support to armed groups engaged in undermining peace and reconciliation efforts in Somalia and regional stability”, and had failed to withdraw its forces following border confrontations with Djibouti.
The resolution was supported by the African Union, from which Eritrea withdrew in protest.
Current developments
On Wednesday 14 November, the UN Security Council is expected to consider lifting sanctions on Eritrea. A November 2018 Monthly Forecast of ‘Expected Council Action’ noted that the mandate of the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group (SEMG) will expire on 15 November, and is due for review.
On 6 November, Reuters reported that it had seen a copy of a British-drafted resolution for the Security Council proposing the immediate removal of the arms embargo and sanctions, and encouraging Eritrea and Djibouti to work towards normalizing ties and settling their border dispute.
UK Government response
On 18 October, in response to a Written Question from Lord Alton (HL01530), Lord Ahmad said that the UK Government has “seen no evidence of any human rights reforms in Eritrea”, and that the Minister for Africa had “raised [its] concerns on the human rights situation” with the Eritrean Foreign Minister.
On 24 October, Sheila B Keetharuth, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, told the 73rd session of the General Assembly that in Eritrea the “patterns of human rights violations…persist”, including “incommunicado and arbitrary detentions, deaths in custody, enforced disappearances, breaches of the rights to freedom of expression and religion, among others”.
In light of this assessment that nothing has changed in Eritrea following the peace initiative signed with Ethiopia in July, Eritrea Focus calls upon the UK Government to explain its position on sanctions against Eritrea, and whether it supports a vote at the UN Security Council in favour of removing sanctions, and on what basis such action is justified.
Habte Hagos
Email: info@eritrea-focus.org
Web: www.eritrea-focus.org
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Gezae November 11, 2018
Council Dynamics
Council members have been considering lifting sanctions on Eritrea in recent months. They conveyed to Eritrea that this could be done if Eritrea receives Umarov for a visit, meets with the coordinator of the SEMG, and commits to resolving its dispute with Djibouti. These steps have been viewed with flexibility, and Council members seem to agree that the recent meetings between Eritrean officials and Umarov and the coordinator may suffice.
On the Eritrea-Djibouti front, Council members agree that there have been positive developments. Nevertheless, there are diverging views as to whether these are sufficient to justify lifting sanctions. Ethiopia, with the support of some members, such as Russia and Sweden, has been pushing for the lifting of sanctions on Eritrea. The US and France have expressed more cautious views, insisting that Eritrea and Djibouti demonstrate commitment to resolving their dispute beforehand, for example in a letter to the Council.
The UK is the penholder on Somalia, and the US is the penholder on piracy.
UN DOCUMENTS ON SOMALIA
yohannes November 12, 2018
the sanction is based on Eritrea supporting alshabab of Somalia , its not related to human rights situation on eritrea
k.tewolde November 12, 2018
The sanction is a tool to police global politics and it is imposed and lifted based on shifts in alliances definitely not based on humanitarian principles,that is why the moribund regime in Asmara will get some perks for choosing to hide under the royal jalabiya.
Gezae November 12, 2018
WE FIGHT WE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
aditekelezan November 12, 2018
If the sanction was based on eritrean violation of human rights of it’s citizens , then saudi arabia & china should have been at the top of the least. Somalia ,Ethiopia .Djibouti & UK all want the sanction to be lifted as there is no evidence that Eritrea supported Al shabab. PERIOD
aditekelezan November 12, 2018
Please read “list & not least”
thaks
k.tewolde November 12, 2018
To add to your correction “Eritrea” should read as “HGDEF” and its core leaders that is what the sanction targets,last but not least,there is no evidence to be substantiated or refuted,it is just the players switched sides and the scenario played out in favor of those who are tormenting our people. Gezae calls that a fight that was won by him and his grouppo.Time will only tell.