An Eritrean refugee delegation focused on human rights advocacy held key meetings with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Brussels to address the urgent situation facing Eritrean refugees on 9 April. The meetings aimed to raise awareness about systemic abuses and call for concrete action from European institutions.
The delegation outlined several critical issues particularly facing Eritrean refugees, including the impossibility of returning to Eritrea without facing imprisonment or death, especially following the Tigray War in 2020 – 2022 which led among others to the destruction of four refugee camps. They emphasized the lack of registration procedures in many African host countries, often deliberate, leaving Eritrean refugees without legal status or protection.
Other concerns raised included forced deportations back to Eritrea, targeted aggression and hate campaigns, and the near-total absence of diplomatic or bureaucratic assistance—as the Eritrean regime continues to repress the Eritrean community abroad. The delegation also criticized certain European countries for maintaining relations with Eritrea despite widespread human rights violations.
Particular attention was given to the role of the European border agency Frontex and the need to distinguish between different groups of African migrants. The delegation also highlighted the specific vulnerabilities of Eritrean women refugees, such as exposure to sexual violence and the lack of mental health or trauma support.
The Eritrean representatives requested specific actions from the EU institutions: diplomacy targeting non-EU countries to halt human rights abuses; increased awareness and engagement within the European Parliament on these issues; stronger protection of refugee rights; and a complete halt to any form of collaboration between the EU and Eritrea.
The MEPs expressed support for the delegation’s cause and pledged to take action within their parliamentary capacities.
The following day, on 10 April, the advocacy efforts continued in the streets of Brussels. A demonstration organized by Abolish Frontex Belgium was held at Place du Luxembourg, directly in front of the European Parliament. Members of the Eritrean delegation took part in the protest, joined by fellow Eritrean refugees living in Brussels, as they collectively demanded an end to the EU’s cooperation with Eritrea and called for the protection of refugee rights.