HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN AT CONTINUING EXPULSION OF ERITREAN NATIONALS FROM ETHIOPIA

HR/98/44
1 July 1998


The following statement was issued today by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson:


I am deeply concerned by the violation of human rights of Eritrean
nationals being expelled from Ethiopia, and particularly by the fact that their passports are being stamped "expelled, never to return". Others, who had been trying to leave, have had their identity cards confiscated.

These are serious violations of the rights and freedoms set forth
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Ethiopia is a party.

As High Commissioner for Human Rights, I appeal to the Governments
of Ethiopia and Eritrea to look urgently at ways of restoring dialogue with each other. I also call upon the Government of Ethiopia to respect the rights of non-discrimination and freedom of movement and to meet its obligations under the international Covenants and other human rights treaties it has ratified.