Three UK based human rights organisations gave evidence at a hearing on the human rights situation in Eritrea, which was held by the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission at the Palace of Westminster on the 12^th of July 2006.

During the hearing Gary Streeter MP, Chair of the Human Rights Commission, emphasised that as well as hearing evidence presented on the day, the Commission would be carrying out an in depth investigation and would discuss its findings at a meeting to which the Eritrean Ambassador to the UK would be invited.

Presenting evidence at today’s proceedings were; Mr Noel Joseph Executive Director of EHDR-UK, Ms Selam Kidane Co-ordinator at Release Eritrea UK, Dr Berhane Asmelash Director of Release Eritrea and Dr Khataza Gondwe Research and Advocacy Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

In addition to providing background information and a general overview of the social and political contexts that are at play in Eritrea, the presentations addressed the gross human rights abuses from various angles. The panellists presented their concerns, backing their assertions with video evidence, testimonies, international court rulings and resolutions, as well as historical and documentary proofs.

Presentations were followed by a set of recommendations appealing to the Commission to work with other parliamentarians and members of the international community to address the gross human rights violations occurring in Eritrea with particular reference to the plight of dissidents, journalists, members of minority faiths and military conscripts, as well as the tens of thousands that have sought refuge outside Eritrea. There was also a strong call for the commission to use its leverage to facilitate the implementation of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission ruling which remains unresolved over five years after the peace accord was signed.

Closing the proceedings the Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the insight they had received and invited the wider group of participants to provide additional evidence in writing.

The panel made up of members of the above-mentioned organisations closed the session by urging the Commission to use their leverage to ensure:

1. The Facilitation of as a matter of urgency the demarcation of Eritrea's
   border with Ethiopia in line with the international ruling, in order to
   ensure that this issue no longer serves as a justification for continued
   repression

2. The immediate implementation of Eritrea’s ratified constitution and the return of all of the rights outlined within it, including the Freedoms of Conscience, Religion, Expression of Opinion, Movement, Assembly and Organisation. The Eritrean government should also be urged to respect the right of conscientious objection to armed service, and to end the practice of indefinitely extending the legally stipulated 18 month term of military service

3. An End to Arbitrary Arrest and Indefinite Detention without Charge. The Eritrean government should be persuaded to either bring detainees to trial before recognised courts of law - which should include the presence of international observers to ensure justice and impartiality - or set them free

4. The urgent granting of unlimited and unhindered access to all detainees for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the European Union (EU) Delegation in Asmara and/or any other competent international body

5. Access for all detainees to immediate family members, and to medical treatment and legal representation

6. Encourage Eritrea to both sign and ratify the United Nations Convention against Torture (CAT). This should not cause undue hardship to the government, since Eritrea has acceded to treaties that prohibit this reprehensible practice, namely, the ICCPR (Article 7) and the African Charter (Article 5)

   With specific regard to the government of the United Kingdom, we ask as a matter of urgency that HMG would

7. Thoroughly investigate any reports of intimidation or harassment of the Eritrean Diaspora in the United Kingdom by elements supportive of the Eritrean government

8. Ensure that asylum seekers from Eritrea receive a more sympathetic hearing than they have so far received, for a result of the government’s obsessive attempts to control every aspect of society and to forcibly repress even the mildest form of dissent, the overwhelming majority of people who have fled that country have an extremely well founded fear of being persecuted should they return there.