Eritrea

Eritrea’s government is extremely repressive, subjecting its population to widespread forced labor and conscription, imposing restrictions on freedom of expression, opinion, and faith, and restricting independent scrutiny by international monitors. As a one-man dictatorship under President Isaias Afewerki, Eritrea has no legislature, no independent civil society organizations or media outlets, and no independent judiciary. Throughout 2021, Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) committed war crimes and other abuses against civilians in Ethiopia's Tigray region, including: large-scale massacres, summary executions, widespread sexual violence, widespread pillage, attacks on refugee camps, and destruction and pillaging of crops.

Crisis and Conflict

November 4, 2022
News Release
Ethiopia: Truce Needs Robust Rights Monitoring
Crisis and Conflict

April 6, 2022
News Release
Ethiopia: Crimes Against Humanity in Western Tigray Zone
Children's Rights

March 21, 2022
Dispatches
Africa’s Governments Can Do More to Protect Pregnant Students

Adi Radhakrishnan

Leonard H. Sandler Fellow, Children's Rights Division

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September 16, 2021 Report

Ethiopia: Eritrean Refugees Targeted in Tigray

Need for Urgent Protection, Assistance; Thousands Still Missing
May 28, 2021 Report

Ethiopia: Tigray Schools Occupied, Looted

Protect Students, Teachers in Region; Endorse Safe Schools Declaration
March 5, 2021 Report

Ethiopia: Eritrean Forces Massacre Tigray Civilians

UN Should Urgently Investigate Atrocities by All Parties
August 8, 2019 Report

“They Are Making Us into Slaves, Not Educating Us”

How Indefinite Conscription Restricts Young People’s Rights, Access to Education in Eritrea