Amnesty International has called on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to condemn the forced return of Eritrean refugees, highlighting the grave risks they face in their home country and host nations.
During the 58th session of the UNHRC, Amnesty International stressed that Eritrean refugees face severe human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and abuse, both in Eritrea and in host countries. The organization urged all UNHRC member states to uphold international protections and prevent forced deportations under the principle of non-refoulement, as stated in Article 33 of the 1951 Refugee Convention.
The rights group highlighted the worsening conditions for Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia, where hundreds have been forcibly deported over the past three months. Additionally, Eritreans in Sudan have suffered human rights abuses amid the ongoing conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Special Rapporteur on Eritrea noted that the war has not only displaced Sudanese citizens but also forced Eritrean refugees to flee to neighboring countries. Amnesty International also reported cases of Eritrean women and girls facing sexual violence, kidnapping, and forced servitude in RSF-controlled areas.
Eritrea has faced persistent human rights concerns due to government repression, including forced labor, restrictions on free expression, and indefinite military conscription. Although national service is officially set at 18 months, authorities have extended it indefinitely, forcing many Eritreans to flee the country. The situation escalated in 2022 when Eritrea intensified mass conscription efforts to support Ethiopia’s military campaign against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Amnesty International’s latest appeal calls for global action to protect Eritrean refugees from forced repatriation and ensure their safety under international human rights law.