Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea

Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America

As Delivered by Kelly Billingsley

Human Rights Council – 53rd Session

Thank you, Madam Vice President.

And thank you, Dr. Babiker, for your frank reporting.

The United States continues to condemn the Eritrean government’s treatment of its citizens, including reports of torture, arbitrary detention, and other abuses against those exercising freedoms of expression and religion or belief.

We also condemn Eritrea’s indefinite national service system and its unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers.  We are alarmed by recent reports that Eritrea has forcibly repatriated Eritrean refugees from Sudan.  We call on the Eritrean government to introduce much needed national reforms to end these unlawful and abhorrent practices.

The United States urges Eritrea to ensure that all remaining troops leave northern Ethiopia and refrain from any attacks on civilians.

We remain gravely concerned by the atrocity crimes that were committed by members of the Eritrean Defense Forces during the conflict in northern Ethiopia, which include war crimes and crimes against humanity.  It is imperative to hold those responsible for such crimes to account.

I thank you.

###