Nineteen male Eritrean Prisoners of War (POWs) have been detained in Negad Detention Centre since June 2008. One of them is suffering from severe mental health problems which have been exacerbated by the fact that he, and the others, are held incommunicado with nothing whatsoever to do. The mentally affected prisoner has not received any medication or treatment.  Most of of the detainees are depressed and anxious. The Eritrean government has made no acknowledgement of them, and has not offered to exchange them for Djiboutian POWs. These are forgotten people.  

Unfortunately, as in the case of the 250 Eritrean refugees also held in Negad Detention Centre, these POWS receive no education, no training, no entertainment, no reading materials, no access to media, and are held incommunicado with no visitation rights. 

We find it unacceptable that Eritrea, which is a repressive dictatorship with no respect for human rights whatsoever, is holding Djiboutian soldiers prisoner and incommunicado, and is impervious to all reason or appeal.   It is to Eritrea’s shame that it does not have a government that respects human life, be it its own people, soldiers  or anybody else.

However, Djibouti has already proved itself to be more humane, as evidenced by the quarterly visits by the Red Cross. 

Dear President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh

President of the Republic of Djibouti

We, the undersigned, therefore urge you to further distinguish your administration from this appalling regime by  showing mercy and bringing  an end to this incarceration.  

Respectfully 

(Your name)