Hate speech and threats at the core of Eritrean ‘festivals’ in Germany and Switzerland

Eritrean regime has organised a series of ‘festivals’ and ‘seminars’ promoted as cultural events. On the basis of previous events that have been organised many perceive that the events promote hate speech and incite violence. They have fuelled pushback in the form of protests, legal action and letters from Eritreans in the diaspora and allies opposing the violent message of the Eritrean regime. A new festival was organised in secrecy in Switzerland last weekend, 27 August 2022, and another event was announced in Germany on 3 September – of which the cancellation was announced yesterday, 31 August.

News Highlights: Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia call for submissions, Eritrean refugees mistreated, Humanitarians question IOM voluntary return programme

In this week’s News Highlights: UN International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia call for submissions on human rights violations; New footage of the situation in Tigray; Eritrean refugees mistreated by Ethiopia authorities lose hope in the UNHCR; Several ‘terrorist attacks’ stopped, Ethiopian police forces claim; Al-Shabab attacks at border were reportedly a diversion to enter Ethiopia; Battle of influence between Europe and Russia on Ethiopia; Somalia’s application to EAC gets fast-tracked; No political stability in sight in Libya; Over 1,100 people saved at sea off Libya; Aid workers question IOM-assisted voluntary return programme; Two reports firmly criticise the UK Home Office migration policy; Scholars warn about “resource-constrained immobility”; A UNICEF guideline on vulnerability of children on the move for climate-related reasons.

Dutch court rules that Eritreans in the military are at risk of torture and inhuman treatment

The Dutch Council of State’s Administrative Jurisdiction Division, the country’s highest general administrative court, ruled on 20 July that Eritreans in the military sector of the national service are at risk of inhuman treatment. This ruling impacts how future Eritrean asylum claims will be treated. The case was started by an Eritrean man whose initial claim was rejected. The man feared he would have to enter the military part of the national service, if he would be returned.