Eritrea dismisses charges of mistreating Ethiopian nationals

October 17, 2008 (ASMARA) — The Eritrean government has dismissed charges of mistreatment of Ethiopian national who had been expelled to Asmara by the Egyptian authorities.

Addis Ababa accused on October 12, Asmara of detaining and torturing for more than four months 166 Ethiopians expelled by Cairo. The Ethiopians were first deported by the Egyptian government to the hands of Eritrean authorities on June 14, 2008.

The Eritrean Foreign ministry said in a statement issued today that the Ethiopians were arrived to Asmara because they had declared themselves Eritreans in Egypt. It further said that since their arrival the International Committee of the Red Cross had been informed of their presence.

However, the foreign ministry said it was decided to send them back to Ethiopia following delays and postponements for their return imposed the Ethiopian authorities.

“On 9th of October, with the exception of one pregnant woman who required medical attention, the 166 Ethiopians who requested to be voluntarily repatriated to their country were transported to the border and crossed the Mereb Bridge to Ethiopia.”

Also, Asmara underlined that the 166 members of the group were not resident in Eritrea and they were well treated during their stay “This treatment was commended by the persons themselves and humanitarian organizations.”

Last June Egypt deported hundreds of Eritrean Asylum seekers to Asmara. Amnesty said asylum seekers returned to Eritrea were likely to be detained incommunicado in inhumane conditions for weeks or years and were at “serious risk of torture”.

UNHCR described the success of some migrants in using Egypt as a base to reach neighbouring Israel as a “pull factor” in drawing more Eritreans to Egypt, but also cited a deteriorating human rights situation in Eritrea.

(ST)