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Eritrea faces UN human rights probe | Eritrea faces UN human rights probe |
(35 minutes later) | |
The UN's Human Rights Council (HRC) has set up a commission of inquiry into Eritrea, seen as one of the world's most repressive states. | The UN's Human Rights Council (HRC) has set up a commission of inquiry into Eritrea, seen as one of the world's most repressive states. |
The three-member panel will report back in one year. | The three-member panel will report back in one year. |
In a statement, the HRC condemned "widespread and systematic" human rights violations, including torture and other cruel punishments. Eritrea rejected the resolution. | In a statement, the HRC condemned "widespread and systematic" human rights violations, including torture and other cruel punishments. Eritrea rejected the resolution. |
Human rights groups have previously called the country a "giant prison". | Human rights groups have previously called the country a "giant prison". |
Amnesty International last year said some 10,000 Eritreans had been imprisoned for political reasons since independence from Ethiopia in 1993. This was denied by the government. | Amnesty International last year said some 10,000 Eritreans had been imprisoned for political reasons since independence from Ethiopia in 1993. This was denied by the government. |
Analysis: Imogen Foulkes, BBC News, Geneva | |
A country-specific inquiry into alleged violations is something Eritrea, and indeed many countries, desperately want to avoid. | |
Although the UN Human Rights Council cannot order sanctions or referral to the International Criminal Court (only the UN Security Council has such powers), its inquiries receive enormous public attention. | |
Recent investigations into Syria and North Korea have made headlines around the world, and human rights groups do believe the council's thorough research, its evidence-based findings, and the subsequent public "naming and shaming" can spur abusive regimes towards change. | |
Earlier this month, four Eritrean Catholic bishops took the rare step of publicly criticising life in the country as "desolate". | Earlier this month, four Eritrean Catholic bishops took the rare step of publicly criticising life in the country as "desolate". |
Many of the migrants who drowned off Lampedusa last year were from Eritrea. | Many of the migrants who drowned off Lampedusa last year were from Eritrea. |
Young men must do national service until the age of 40, prompting an estimated 3,000 to flee the country each month. | Young men must do national service until the age of 40, prompting an estimated 3,000 to flee the country each month. |
The use of conscription was also condemned by the HRC, along with restrictions on the freedom of expression, religion and peaceful assembly. | The use of conscription was also condemned by the HRC, along with restrictions on the freedom of expression, religion and peaceful assembly. |
All private media have been closed down and only members of four religions - the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran Churches and Islam - are allowed to practise freely. |
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