http://hornofafrica.de/norway-will-have-migrants-return-agreement-with-eritrea-and-build-a-care-center-for-minors/#more-20981
Norway Will have Migrants Return Agreement with Eritrea and Build a Care Center for Minors
February 4, 2016
Eritrea agree to let Norway send an observer to the country. UN describes the present Eritrea as a merciless military dictatorship. Criticism of the regime is literally deadly, and the state is behind everything from executions to disappearances and imprisonments.
The UN estimates that 450,000 Eritrean citizens are fleeing abroad. 2947 of these sought asylum in Norway last year. It seems the government is too many and therefore aims to return asylum seekers to the country.
Parliament is notified that practice in the treatment of asylum applications from Eritreans will be reviewed and – if possible – be changed. To date, nine out of ten Eritrean asylum seekers granted residence permits in Norway.
Incomprehensible of Norway
The Government’s aim is “to enter into dialogue with the Eritrean authorities to get assurances that it can be implemented rebounds without risk of persecution or inhumane treatment.”
The Eritreans in exile objected strenuously when it last summer became known that Secretary of State Joran Kallemyr was visiting Eritrea. Now reacting the despair that Norway has begun to enter into agreements with their homeland.
– The president is then pressured by sanctions and the international community, that he promise anything to get out of isolation. It is incomprehensible that the Norwegian authorities have sat down and negotiated with the dictatorship, says Solomon Zeray (29).
Zeray came to Norway six years ago, has a temporary residence permit and work as an interpreter and teacher in Drammen Municipality. He recalls that he and most other Eritreans in Norway have fled just from the authorities.
– A return agreement will not stop the documented disappearances, extrajudicial executions, torture and abuse in our homeland, says Zerey.
Absurd idea of orphanage
He believes the idea that it will be possible to establish a safe childcare in Asmara, is absurd.
– It is impossible to establish safe care for children in a dictatorship like Eritrea, says Zeray.
UN believes Eritrea led by a completely closed, undemocratic military dictatorship that is guilty of massive human rights violations, torture, liquidation and slave labor.
A UN report last June concluded that Eritrean refugees must get international protection, and that they must be returned to a country “that punishes whoever leaves the country without permission.”
Prioritizes Norwegian presence
Justice Ministry State Secretary, Joran Kallemyr (FRP), visited Eritrea twice, most recently now in January. He says there are many misconceptions about what it means to bring about a return agreement with a country:
– A return agreement with Eritrea does not mean that we should send people back. A return agreement means that we establish a framework that will make it easier to return. But it has no effect on the treatment of asylum applications. It is handled by the immigration authorities, saying Kallemyr.
– What does it imply that the Eritrean authorities are now positive about the Norwegian presence?
– It means we can have Norwegian presence in Eritrea, and that it will be in place during 2016. It will be a person who can follow the development of the country, maintaining contact with international organizations and national authorities.
– The lack of knowledge about the conditions in the country, contributing to that doubt comes asylum seekers benefit by being granted a residence. It is unacceptable that we do not have enough facts to an enlightened asylum process. There is a need for better evaluations of the asylum status each applicant should have said Kallemyr. He added that the government also aims to establish a care center for returned, minors in Eritrea.
Doubt
Professor Kjetil Tronvoll at International Law and Policy Institute, finds it interesting that Norway has won approval for presence, but believes it is vital rights representative are:
– Can you travel freely anywhere? Will it be given access to prisons? I stand a little hesitant of the outcome of this. There is little reason, and almost no experience, that one can rely on the Eritrean authorities as regards human rights issues.
– Those who may be returned, will be people who have escaped from the authorities. Norway may have to then decide whether you actually trust that asylum seekers are properly treated, said Tronvoll.
Received on Thu Feb 04 2016 - 12:23:14 EST