Stand for Human Rights and Accountability

To the United Nations and Members of the International Community,

We, the undersigned, write to express our strong opposition to the proposal presented by the Eritrean government in Geneva to terminate the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur is critical in bringing transparency to the human rights situation in Eritrea, a nation where fundamental freedoms and human dignity have been under severe strain for decades. The Rapporteur’s work sheds light on systemic injustices, arbitrary detentions, forced labor, lack of press freedom, and other violations that remain urgent and unresolved.

The proposal to end the mandate of the Special Rapporteur challenges the very principles of accountability and undermines efforts to ensure justice for Eritrean citizens. The existence of this mandate is crucial not only for monitoring progress but also for holding authorities accountable and advocating for the basic rights of Eritrea's people, many of whom have no other recourse to voice their grievances.

Ending this mandate would send a dangerous signal to governments across the world—that human rights violations can be concealed and unaddressed under the guise of sovereignty. This action risks setting a precedent of diminished international oversight in situations where it is desperately needed.

We urge the United Nations and its member countries to:

·       Firmly reject the Eritrean government’s proposal to terminate the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea.

·       Redouble efforts to support the mandate and ensure that its findings and recommendations are acted upon.

·       Stand in solidarity with Eritrean citizens and amplify their calls for justice, freedom, and equality.

Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker’s work is not only a mandate; it is a beacon of hope for Eritreans and a commitment to the universal values enshrined in international human rights laws. We must not forsake this responsibility.

Let us act decisively to protect the mandate and to demonstrate that the international community will not turn a blind eye to the suffering of Eritrea’s people.

Together, we stand for justice, transparency, and human rights.

Sincerely,

Henok Tekle

Executive Director

Eritrean Public Media (ERIPM)