Statement of Erirea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Human Rights Day

Eritean Ambassador Tesfamicael Gerahtu addressing the EU's Human Rights Day in Asmara [Image credit: Iqbal Jhazbhay] 

Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs On the Occasion of Human Rights Day Event Organized by the EU Delegation in Eritrea

Event Organized by the EU Delegation in Eritrea

Asmara, 10 December 2014

Honourable Ministers, Excellences

Ambassador Christian, EU Delegation Representative in Eritrea

Ms Christine, UN Resident Coordinator

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a great honour to address this gathering representing the Ministry of Foreign affairs on the occasion of the Human Rights Day. It is an event which symbolizes the collective effort we all devote to humanity. Let me first commend the EU delegation in Eritrea for organizing this important event.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Eritrea is a country that emanated from the struggle for human rights which entailed huge human sacrifices paid for the basic values of liberation, freedom and democracy. Accordingly, human rights in post independent Eritrea has constituted the epicentre of state building, social justice and a viable future imbued with progressive morality. The effort is squarely based on promoting humanity and hence human right has been mainstreamed in nation building.

In essence this is interlinked with the concerted effort of ensuring human dignity, human security and human development and is thus managed as a process. The fundamental principles in terms of strategy have also encompassed a broader development outlook which includes the following:-

• strengthening the supremacy of the internal transformations
• decisiveness and centrality of the human factor in our society
• integration of human rights into all sectors of life
• indivisibility of rights and responsibilities and
• interlink between peace and security, and human rights and development

Ladies and Gentlemen

The short span of time since independence and the challenges of nation building taken as a reality, Eritrea’s achievement of nation building as reflected in human right issues are really substantial. In particular the effort to promote equal rights and opportunity in all sectors of life and sanctioned by national laws as a major trend is exemplary. It is a process and hence a long way to go.Nevertheless, a strong foundation for peace, stability and all round development in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the society has been laid and is vividly reflected in the human rights of all citizens. 

As in all other sectors of development and like in any other country, there are however, human right challenges and problems which the Government continuously works to address. Nonetheless, the prevailing structures, processes and the outputs signify the importance of the systemic approach established and implemented through various policies and programmes. In this perspective, Eritrea reiterates its commitment to further consolidate the progress achieved in the promotion and protection human rights.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The sacrosanct ideals of humanity and the continuous effort to promote and protect human rights are thus predicated on the above thinking and practice. On this term and as part of the collective effort to humanity, Eritrea also continues to uphold its responsibilities on the basis of the international treaties it has acceded in congruence with its national laws. It has also reinforced its engagement as an integral part of its development diplomacy. The UPR recommendations it accepted in the UPR 2nd Cycle will thus be utilized broadly towards this end. At this juncture the MOFA is glad to inform all partners that work is going on to reflect these UPR recommendations in the sustainable development goals of the nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Eritrea however, strongly opposes all politically motivated resolutions as well as country specific mechanisms meant to target countries, Eritrea being one of them, under the guise of human rights but with no dividend at all. In the same vein, the prevailing tendency to co-opt human rights and use them as a pretext for intervention in internal affairs is also counter-productive. This also runs contrary to the basic principles of the HRC and HR Commission and undermines engagement and cooperation through the UPR.

In the context of the above outlook briefly described and to conclude, the MOFA reassures the EU delegation and all other bilateral partners that Eritrea will continue to strengthen its engagement and collaborative efforts on human rights. It is to be expected though, that the politically motivated resolutions and mechanisms on Eritrea are lifted towards this end. On the other hand, it is also critical to take into consideration the seriousness of the violations of the peoples’ human rights due to the occupation of sovereign Eritrean territories by Ethiopia and the illegal and unjust UN sanctions imposed on our nation.

I thank You Ladies and Gentlemen! 

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