19/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - The EU remains «extremely concerned» about the fact that the situation of political prisoners in Eritrea has not seen any positive developments. “These prisoners remain in detention, without having been charged with any offence, and without access to a free and fair trial”, and “with their right to a due process suspended”. In a declaration by the Portuguese EU Presidency published on 18 September, the EU “urges the State of Eritrea to disclose evidence of their place of detention, detention conditions and health status”. It calls on Asmara to “either bring charges against those detained and instruct a due and open process with legal representation or to unconditionally release them”. We would point out that, on 18 September 2001, 11 members of parliament and the Popular Front for Democracy and Justice, the only Eritrean political party, were arrested. Several days later, 10 independent journalists were also detained. Since then, others have been taken into custody and placed in solitary confinement without charges having been brought against them. (ab)