Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Eritrea: Human Rights

Tuesday 30 January 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Patrick Grady asked about the implications of the human rights situation in Eritrea for UK policies.
  • The Minister urged Eritrea to allow the UN special rapporteur for human rights access to the country.
  • Vicky Ford inquired about ending impunity and bringing peace to Sudan, referencing the ICC prosecutor's statement to the UN Security Council.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Grady SNP
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The human rights situation in Eritrea is critical, with reports of indefinite conscription and arbitrary detentions. Over 90% of asylum claims from Eritreans are granted by the Home Office.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the implications for policies due to the human rights situation in Eritrea? Young people face indefinite conscription, critics of the regime are arbitrarily detained and disappeared. Does the Minister agree this explains why 90% of asylum claims from Eritreans are granted by the Home Office?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

Eritrea is urged to allow UN special rapporteur for human rights access to the country. Eritrean troops are sought to withdraw from northern Ethiopia according to the Pretoria peace agreement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about taking steps to ensure an end to human rights abuses was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments.

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Q2 Patrick Grady SNP
Asylum & Refugees Foreign Affairs
Context

Young people are conscripted indefinitely, critics of the regime are arbitrarily detained and disappeared. Over 90% of asylum claims from Eritreans in the UK are granted by the Home Office.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the country's human rights situation might explain why over 90% of asylum claims from Eritreans in the UK are granted? What more can be done to address human rights abuses and reduce irregular migration?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

Eritrea ranks towards the bottom of the world press freedom index. The Minister urges Eritrea to allow UN special rapporteur for human rights access, and seeks full withdrawal of Eritrean troops from northern Ethiopia.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about taking steps to ensure an end to human rights abuses was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments.

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Q3 Vicky Ford Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

Over 7 million people have been internally displaced and 20 million are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. The International Criminal Court prosecutor told the UN Security Council there are reasonable grounds to believe that both the Sudan armed forces and rapid support forces are committing atrocities.

Question

What hope does the Minister have that we can end impunity, stop rapes, murders, pillage, and bring peace to the people of Sudan? Last night, the ICC prosecutor told the UN Security Council there are reasonable grounds to believe both the Sudan armed forces and rapid support forces are committing atrocious crimes in Darfur.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

Immediate ceasefire is called for. Talks were held in Addis before Christmas. Progress through the United Nations, Troika, IGAD, and AU is sought.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about ending impunity and stopping atrocities was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments.

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