Brussels, 15/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Deeply concerned by the continuing violation of human rights by the Eritrean government, the European Union urges it to unconditionally release all prisoners arbitrarily detained and political prisoners held for 10 years. In a statement published on 15 September, just a few days from this sinister anniversary of detention, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton underlines that the state of Eritrea continues to violate its human rights obligations, under both domestic and international law.
“The EU refers in particular to the continued detention without trial - since 18 September 2001 - of a group of 11 prominent members of parliament and of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice, and also - since 23 September 2001 - of 10 independent journalists, including the Eritrean-Swedish citizen Dawit Isaak. Despite repeated appeals by the international community, including the European Union, these people have been detained for the last 10 years without any contact with the outside world, and with all rights suspended”, Catherine Ashton states. (AN/transl.jl)