From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Fri Jan 09 2009 - 09:30:46 EST
8-01-2009 News release 09/06 Eritrea/Ethiopia: 1,766 people repatriated in
2008
Addis Ababa/ Asmara (ICRC) – In 2008, 1,714 persons were repatriated from
Eritrea to Ethiopia, including 56 minors, in a number of repatriation
operations under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC).
In the same operations, 52 civilians, including 22 minors, were
repatriated from Ethiopia to Eritrea.
Acting in its capacity as a neutral and independent intermediary, the ICRC
carried out these repatriations based on the consent of each individual and
with the cooperation of the authorities. ICRC delegates based in Eritrea –
in cooperation with the Eritrean Red Cross - accompanied the civilians going
to Ethiopia on the first part of their journey from Asmara, Eritrea's
capital, to the border. At the crossing point at Mereb River, located
between the towns of Adi Quala in Eritrea and Rama in Ethiopia, the group
was met by ICRC delegates based in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Red Cross
Society, before being placed in the care of the Ethiopian authorities.
Likewise, ICRC delegates based in Ethiopia accompanied the civilians going
to Eritrea to the border, where they were met by ICRC delegates based in
Eritrea, before being placed in the care of the Eritrean authorities.
The ICRC has assisted people affected by the 1998-2000 armed conflict
between Ethiopia and Eritrea regarding their repatriation since June 2000
and strives to ensure compliance with the rules and principles of
International Humanitarian Law; in particular, the Geneva Conventions of
1949.
*For further information, please contact:
Mulan Giovannini, ICRC Asmara, tel: +2911 181 164
Patrick Mégevand, ICRC Addis Ababa, tel: +251 91 148 0921*
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