Right Now Statement on Repatriation to Eritrea
August 10, 2018
Right Now expresses concern and disappointment at recent statements by certain Israeli elected officials calling for forced repatriation of Eritreans. No country in the world except for Sudan forcefully deports to Eritrea at this time. We certainly hope that the recent discussions between Ethiopia and Eritrea will lead to a long-lasting peace between the two countries, as well as significant internal reforms in Eritrea, such as an end to indefinite national service and an end to persecution of religious minorities and political opponents. Still, no country should move rashly toward repatriation, until the safety of those repatriated can be truly assured. Israel should know better than anyone that peace processes are complicated and take time.
We are particularly concerned that Israeli officials may use the threat of repatriation as a means of frightening and coercing Eritreans to self-deport to Uganda, where their safety is also not assured.
We are concerned by statements by Israeli officials, such as Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, that Israel will deport to Eritrea “as soon as” Eritrea’s indefinite national service ends - statements which belie a lack of understanding of the complexity of the situation. We are also perturbed that such officials continue to deny refugee status and protection to Eritrean asylum seekers, while at the same time seem to admit an awareness that it is not currently safe for such individuals in Eritrea.
We call upon Israeli officials to speak and act with care and responsibility. We ask them to assure their citizens, asylum seekers and the world that Israel will not forcefully repatriate to Eritrea until it is truly safe. We also renew our call upon Israel to implement a true, objective and transparent Refugee Status Determination process, and provide appropriate protection to those so deserving, and allow those awaiting adjudication and all those who cannot return home to live in Israel in peace and dignity until it is truly safe to return. We further encourage Israel to reconsider the Netanyahu-UNHCR agreement, which would provide a true and viable resolution to Israel's asylum seeker challenge.
We are particularly concerned that Israeli officials may use the threat of repatriation as a means of frightening and coercing Eritreans to self-deport to Uganda, where their safety is also not assured.
We are concerned by statements by Israeli officials, such as Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, that Israel will deport to Eritrea “as soon as” Eritrea’s indefinite national service ends - statements which belie a lack of understanding of the complexity of the situation. We are also perturbed that such officials continue to deny refugee status and protection to Eritrean asylum seekers, while at the same time seem to admit an awareness that it is not currently safe for such individuals in Eritrea.
We call upon Israeli officials to speak and act with care and responsibility. We ask them to assure their citizens, asylum seekers and the world that Israel will not forcefully repatriate to Eritrea until it is truly safe. We also renew our call upon Israel to implement a true, objective and transparent Refugee Status Determination process, and provide appropriate protection to those so deserving, and allow those awaiting adjudication and all those who cannot return home to live in Israel in peace and dignity until it is truly safe to return. We further encourage Israel to reconsider the Netanyahu-UNHCR agreement, which would provide a true and viable resolution to Israel's asylum seeker challenge.
