[dehai-news] (ST) Eritrea dismisses charges of mistreating Ethiopian nationals


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From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Fri Oct 17 2008 - 07:08:07 EDT


Eritrea dismisses charges of mistreating Ethiopian nationals

Saturday 18 October 2008 04:54
 
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)
 

 

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