#DedebitNews | March 9/2023
The United Nations Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights criticized the process of withdrawal of Eritrean soldiers from Ethiopia
Although the Eritrean soldiers started to withdraw from Tigray in accordance with the permanent ceasefire agreement signed in Pretoria to end the war in Northern Ethiopia; Nadal al-Nashif, the UN’s deputy high commissioner for human rights, criticized the process as “slow”. As the process of withdrawal of Eritrean soldiers from Tigray has not been completed; She stressed that monitoring should be done and a report should be submitted.
The Jordanian diplomat raised the issue at the ongoing annual meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. At today’s meeting, the council discussed the issue of human rights in Eritrea. Other experts, including the deputy commissioner, have provided explanations on the matter. “The human rights situation in Eritrea is serious. Nadal Al-Nashif said, “it has not made any progress.” They have listed the cases that have evidence for this. The deputy commissioner mentioned that his office is receiving credible reports of torture, mass imprisonment and inhumane treatment in Eritrea. The Deputy Commissioner said that “the fact that the Eritrean Youths have to give National Military Service has worsened following the Tigray conflict”. She explained to the members of the council that Eritreans are obliged to serve for an indefinite period of time. “Eritrea has not taken steps to ensure accountability for past and ongoing human rights violations,” said Nadal Al-Nashif. She brought up issues related to the war in northern Ethiopia (Tigray) to strengthen her case. For the international human rights and humanitarian law violations committed by the Eritrean Defense Forces in Ethiopia’s Tigray; she blamed the country for “not taking any steps” in establishing systems to ensure accountability.
