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His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Siad Doualeh addresses the Third Committee on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea

Date: 
Thursday, 27 October 2016

 

Statement by

H. E. Mr. Mohamed Siad Doualeh

Ambassador, Permanent Representative

Of the Republic of Djibouti to the United Nations

 

 

 

Before the Third Committee

 

On Agenda Item [68(c)]

 Entitled:

 

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

 

Thursday 27 October 2016

 

                                                                                                   

Madam Chair,

Madam Special Rapporteur,

 

At the outset, Djibouti warmly welcomes Madame Sheila B. Keetharuth and commends the impressive work done, both as Special Rapporteur and as a member of the Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea established pursuant to HRC/RES/26/24 of 27 June 2014.

 

We further thank you for the information just shared with the Third Committee today.  Your update  just confirms and corroborates the very human rights dire situation prevailing in Eritrea as documented in your successive reports both to the HRC and to the 3rd Committee as well as the COI reports and oral updates.

 

We condemn the systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations in Eritrea in a climate of generalized impunity.

 

We deplore the continued refusal by the Government of Eritrea to cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry and the Special Rapporteur, including the lack of access to the country.  Despite major hurdles, the Commission of Inquiry has completed its work in a transparent, impartial and consultative manner, using first-hand accounts of witnesses and through written submissions.

 

Madame Special Rapporteur,

 

  1. You have been entrusted with the very important task of following up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.  What actions, in your view, can the relevant organs of the United Nations take to give effect to these recommendations?  The Commission concluded that a regional mechanism could be created to address accountability in Eritrea.  Could you elaborate on that?
  2. The Commission of Inquiry has generated a lot of expectations and HRC resolution on Eritrea 32/29 requests the Secretary General to provide the Special Rapporteur with all information and resources necessary to fulfill her mandate.   Do you have enough resources to fulfill your mandate? Could you be specific in terms of the resources that are required to fully discharge your mandate
  3. What action have you taken to inquire about the 13 Djibouti prisoners of war who remain in Eritrean prisons since 2008.

 

                                                                                           Thank you Madam President