Over 500 Eritreans fled to Sudan in one week – opposition

February 12, 2009 (MEKELLE) — An Eritrean opposition group, the Eritrean People’s Party said that 550 Eritreans have arrived in eastern Sudan Shagarab refugee camp during the past week.

Among those who fled 64 of them are reported to be children, 181women and the majority is members of the Eritrean military and also from the minority Kunama ethnic group, it said

According to the opposition group the number of Eritreans fleeing to neighbor countries is increasing in an alarming rate due the government’s ever toughening persecution on innocent citizens, politically motivated murders, extra-judicial killings, compulsory military service, tortures to death, mass arrests and all kind of inhuman treatment under various pretexts.

The exact number of Eritrean refugees in Sudan is unknown but estimated figures, ranging 200,000-300,000 are mentioned on various sources.

There are speculations that recipient countries and international relief organizations tend to raise the actual number of refugees to attract a sympathetic response from donor governments; on the contrary the government led by President Isayas Afewerki plays down the existence of such number of Eritrean refugees saying that they are few and only misguided draft dodgers and traitors.

Since last month, for political reasons alone, 2580 Eritreans have crossed borders to Sudan, the opposition added.

Different reports issued by international right organizations have repeatedly accused the governments of Sudan and Eritrea of working together to deport Eritreans who have sought refuge in Sudan.

Eritreans are reported of risking their lives by fleeing over heavily mined borders which are firmly patrolled by thousands of soldiers who have strict instruction to shoot and kill citizens trying to cross the border.

(ST)