Human Rights Council 38: Eritrea
This UK statement was delivered at the 38th session of the Human Rights Council during the the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea, held on 26 June 2018.
The Human Rights Council takes place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Keetharuth, for her report and for her efforts over the past six years. We urge the Government of Eritrea to make renewed efforts to engage with any new Special Rapporteur.
Eritrea remains a priority country for the United Kingdom’s engagement on human rights. We renew calls for the Government of Eritrea to reform the national service system, implement the constitution, respect freedom of religion or belief, and release all those in arbitrary detention. We will strongly support inclusion of these issues in this session’s resolution on Eritrea.
The UK supports the Special Rapporteur’s statement of 3 May on press freedom in Eritrea. We call for the release of, or completion of due process for, journalists in detention in Eritrea and the lifting of impositions on the free press.
Mr President,
The UK would like to ask the Special Rapporteur what advice she has for her successor on building a positive and constructive relationship with the Government of Eritrea.