Sara Rich Dorman: Rise in Eritrean refugees due to military service
THE number of Eritrean asylum applications is very striking given that Eritrea is a tiny country of around five million people and not engaged in active warfare, despite its uneasy relations with bigger neighbours such
THE number of Eritrean asylum applications is very striking given that Eritrea is a tiny country of around five million people and not engaged in active warfare, despite its uneasy relations with bigger neighbours such as Ethiopia.
That these asylum seekers tend to be so young is best explained by the country’s mandatory military draft, which begins as soon as children have left school, and may continue for decades. Although some are lucky enough to spend their military service working for the government, the majority spend years in extremely difficult conditions, with no opportunities to start families, look after ageing parents or pursue careers.
The rise in under-18s seeking asylum therefore reflects young people fleeing before they are captured by the draft. Although military service may sound like a reasonable option for youth in a poor country, and Eritrea has a proud tradition of national service, the current regime of military service is often compared to forced labour – youth have no option whether or not to participate, even if they have religious or conscientious objections.
In addition, military service is, for many, without end – you don’t serve your time and leave, you remain stuck in the military for decades.
Forced military service is recognised internationally as grounds for asylum.
There are also many other grounds for asylum in Eritrea – the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea reported extensive and gross human rights abuses in Eritrea in a detailed report released last summer. In particular, freedom of religion and political association are extremely limited.
Although it is hard to know why so many appeals have been allowed this year, my suspicion is that it may relate to the changing UK Government guidance in March 2015.
We know that this lead initial approval rates to go from 73 per cent in the first quarter of 2015 to 34 per cent in the second quarter.
But there were very serious problems with the UK guidance – it was based on a very misleading interpretation of evidence and many experts, including myself, criticised this decision.
I am therefore not at all surprised that many of those refused asylum may well have succeeded on appeal.
My experience of the system suggests that their applications were likely to have been well-founded.
Dr Sara Rich Dorman is a lecturer in politics at Edinburgh University and specialises African politics
The National, Scotland
k.tewolde February 27, 2016
Fair assessment doc, thanks.
Musa Ali February 28, 2016
The rights of eritrean or any human being is guaranteed only if every one asks himself/ herself how would I feel if this happen to me and try to get an answer to that question. Are we going to call it violation when it happens to us and non violation when it happens to others that we do not like them for any reason. I understand ignorance, illitracy, and regionalism are standing on many Eritreans way, but it should stop if we really want to get out of the mess created by iseyas and a few accomplice deliberately.
More than anything, Eritreans should stand together against all violations of god given rights by these bandits.
Amanuele February 28, 2016
Human right a the fundamental right of all huan being. If you commit a crim you will be charched by the authority. If the court of Jucities found you you are guilty then you will be sentence. In the case of Eritrea the authority charge you and the authority again ste give you sentence. Is this right?
In relation religion, the authority forbidden you from practicing you religion, if you wish to worship your God who has the right to order you not to practise you faith?
In relation freedom of expression, if you believe the Eritrean regiem is wrong, why not loudly express your view. Do you have support the regiem to live in Eritrea, what about if you oppose the regiem? You have no right to live in Eritrea, is this right(
Who wants to remain in national service for indefinite period? If you support the regiem, why not go and serve the regiem for indefinite period.
The logic and facts in Eritrea is clear. Do what the regiem ordered you to do to live and even visit Eritrea otherwise you have no right to live or visit Eritrea
Berhe Tensea February 28, 2016
Yes you are right that the forced military service is the cause of Eritrean refugees, , but at the same time we have to look at the other factors, such as the absence of rule of law, the presence of torture camps, and no opportunity to work and raise family too
Eritrea is simply the largest prison in Africa .
The youth that one see in Eritrea are those who can afford a hefty bribe money to the corrupt generals, the disabled, the spies, and those who work in the hundreds of prisons.
The regime in Eritrea can’t even keep up with the number of prisoners and is using hundreds of sipping containers to house and torture the youth.
The Eritrean population has dwindled to the sixties level of three million.
The young that one see in Eritrea are mostly the spies,prison guards, the singers, and those who are brought to be used in the endless roundups only.
The young are deprived of working and are unable to raise families.
The Eritrean population has dwindled to the sixties level of three million, and yet every able body that reach sixteen and above is running away leaving for the helpless old.
Berhe Tensea February 28, 2016
Sara,
Yes you are right that the forced military service is the cause of Eritrean refugees, , but at the same time we have to look at the other factors, such as the absence of rule of law, the presence of torture camps, and no opportunity to work and raise family too
Eritrea is simply the largest prison in Africa .
The youth that one see in Eritrea are those who can afford a hefty bribe money to the corrupt generals, the disabled, the spies, and those who work in the hundreds of prisons.
The regime in Eritrea can’t even keep up with the number of prisoners and is using hundreds of sipping containers to house and torture the youth.
The Eritrean population has dwindled to the sixties level of three million.
The young that one see in Eritrea are mostly the spies,prison guards, the singers, and those who are brought to be used in the endless roundups only.
The young are deprived of working and are unable to raise families.
The Eritrean population has dwindled to the sixties level of three million, and yet every able body that reach sixteen and above is running away leaving for the helpless old.
Thank you very much for your input and interest and siding with the Eritrean people.
Teklu March 1, 2016
All the EU who where told lie find out the true after visiting ERITREA so this idiot LADY will fllow their foot step after she visited the land of LIONS