From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Mon Aug 03 2009 - 05:34:06 EDT
Eritrea: authorities terminate ICRC role in repatriations of Ethiopians
03 Aug 2009 07:29:15 GMT
Source: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - Switzerland
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Geneva (ICRC) - The Eritrean authorities have informed the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that it will no longer be involved in
any repatriation of Ethiopians from the country. According to the
authorities, this decision was motivated by the unilateral cancellation
of two repatriation operations in late 2008 and early 2009 by Ethiopia.
Since 2000, more than 43,000 Ethiopian and Eritrean civilians wanting to
return home have been repatriated to their respective countries, with
due respect for their dignity, under ICRC auspices.
As a neutral intermediary the ICRC made the necessary logistical
arrangements on both sides of the border and placed the repatriated
individuals in the care of their home country's authorities.
The authorities in each country are responsible for attending to the
needs of those arriving and for reintegrating them into society.
In accordance with its mandate, the ICRC will continue to monitor the
implementation of the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention
applicable to the repatriation of Ethiopians from Eritrea.
The decision of the Eritrean authorities to terminate the ICRC's
involvement in the repatriations does not affect the right of Ethiopian
nationals to leave Eritrea if they wish to do so.
Furthermore, it does not relieve the Eritrean authorities of their
obligation under Article 36, paragraph 1, of the Fourth Geneva
Convention to ensure that any future repatriation - irrespective of ICRC
involvement - is carried out in satisfactory conditions as regards
safety, hygiene, sanitation and food.
For further information, please contact:
Anna Schaaf, ICRC Geneva, tel: + 41 22 730 22 71 or +41 79 217 32 17
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/220224/def7b13b90138bedac17
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