Stop Ongoing Arrests, Deportation of Eritrean Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Addis Ababa
Stop Ongoing Arrests, Deportation of Eritrean Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Addis Ababa
The Issue
13 September 2025
His Excellency Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
By e-mail: info@pmo.gov.et
Re: Ongoing Arrests, Deportation, and Generally Targeting of Eritrean Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Addis Ababa
We are Eritrean organizations, International human rights activists and concerned individuals who are highly distressed about the ongoing harassment, indiscriminate arrest and delays of asylum seekers process, of Eritreans in Ethiopia.
In February 2019, the Ethiopian Government issued Proclamation 1110/2019 – An official proclamation intended to give refugees in Ethiopia freedom of movement and residence, the right to access education and health care, to obtain a driver’s license, register births and marriages, and to open bank accounts. The policy change was a significant and welcome demonstration of Ethiopian leadership on refugee issues.
However, by December 2019, Directive 1/2019 clawed back refugees' right to live outside the camps. Refugees must reside in the camps before being eligible to live outside the camp. The 2019 Directive changes the right to freedom of movement of the Refugee Proclamation 1110/2019 to by permission, a bonus granted at the discretion of the Government. Specifically…
Article 28: Freedom of Movement (Refugee Proclamation 1110/2019)
1) Subject to the laws applicable to foreign nationals generally in the same circumstances, every recognized refugee or asylum seeker has, within the national territory, the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose his residence, as well as the freedom to leave the country any time he wishes too.
Article 8 – Conditions for Regular Residency Outside Camp (Refugee Directive 1/2019)
1) A refugee who had lived in the camp for a month (30 days) or longer may be granted a permit for regular out-of-camp residency where he:
a. Can prove that he can cover the costs of living outside the camp; or
b. Can produce a sponsor who can regularly cover his costs of living outside of camp; or
c. Receives a work permit that allows him to work legally by applicable laws.
In the aftermath of the Ethiopia-Eritrea 2018 peace process. even as the Ethiopian Government was taking essential steps to provide a more inclusive framework for the assistance and protection of refugees, in the case of Eritrean refugees, the government ceased to apply a policy of ‘as of right status’ to Eritrean refugees. The action was taken even though, irrespective of the peace process, the conditions that led Eritreans to flee to Ethiopia continued. The peace process did not result in any discernible changes to the Eritrean government’s indefinite abusive National Service and the overall militarization of the country. In June 2024, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Eritrea reported that the situation in Eritrea had not changed and that the Eritrean government had not implemented any of the recommendations made by regional and international human rights bodies. [1] Unfortunately for the Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia, despite the lack of any real changes for the people of Eritrea, especially the youth, in July 2020, Your Excellency flew with your spouse and President Isaias and his wife to the Sawa Military Training Centre to review the preparations for the graduation of the 33rd round (Zuria) of Sawa cadets, thereby legitimizing President Isaias' National Service for Life policies that the Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia fled.[2]
Since the year 2020 Ethiopian government closed Endaba Guna and ceased the asylum-seeking process. However, desperate Eritrean citizens have not stopped running away from the brutal regime in Eritrea which arbitrary detains, kidnaps and even kills civilians.
The Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers fled Eritrea to escape from the oppressive conditions and gross violation of human rights, including the open-ended abusive national service, which had by then degenerated into a modern form of slavery. Up to 100 000 refugees lived in ARRA (later RRS)-administered and UNHCR-supported refugee camps, and since the end of 2020 an additional 100,000 Eritreans fled Eritrea and entered Ethiopia to seek protection. After the war broke out in Tigray region, the Eritrean refugees in the different locations were targeted by different actors. The refugee camps have become death traps, and many of the refugees have been fleeing in the unlikely hope of saving their lives. It is profoundly ironic that people who fled in search of international protection and to escape indefinite conscription and gross violation of human rights would find themselves subjected to atrocities. Forcible return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers to their country of origin in the absence of fundamental political changes amounts to forcible return or refoulement. Non-refoulement is one of the most sacrosanct principles in the international Refugee Convention.
The prohibition is not only limited to returning refugees to a country from which they had fled, and where they are likely to suffer persecutory treatment but also placing such refugees in unsafe and insecure places also amounts to refoulement. The war-torn region of Tigray became manifestly unsafe to host refugees. That is why the UNHCR’s High Commissioner for refugees, Mr. Grandi, strongly urged the Ethiopian Prime Minister to remedy the situation. Ethiopia, as a sovereign state, has the prerogative to grant and/or deny asylum status to Eritrean or other refugees. Nevertheless, as a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to Refugee Status, the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, the authorities in Ethiopia are bound by
the provisions of these and other human rights treaties, inter alia, to ensure the safety and security of all refugees, including the Eritrean refugees in the country.
The horror and death trap continuous for over 21,000 Eritreans refugee who displaced/evacuated from Tigray camps to Alemwatch camp (Established in June 25,2021) they continuously, encounters with serious issues of attack, abuses and disappearances.
Evacuating desperate refugee from Tigray camps to Alemwatch camp was to save their lives and guarantee their safety, however between then to date, we have received credible reports of 12 death by militias and criminals, over 50 individuals of serious injuries and kidnappings of children for ransom(we have received and compiled all videos and pictures of those who died and injured).
Alemwatch camp became a death trap for refugee, out of desperation, many of them took a risky journey and end up dying, at the hands of smugglers, warehouses in Libya, perishing in mediterranean sea, also dying in Libyan detention centers.
Recently, we have received many reports regarding the detention of Eritreans in Addis Ababa, and sadly hundreds of them have already been deported back to Eritrea through the Afar region. Also, due to threats and safety issues there are Eritreans who attempted to cross to Kenya but caught and detained in bordering Kenya or in Oromia Region of Ethiopia.
We also have credible reports of extortion of over 100,000 birr per person to be released from police stations in Addis Ababa. Currently hundreds, if not thousands of Eritreans are detained, beaten and injured in detention centers. Disappearance of individuals is occurring, as well.
Eritrean refugees and Asylum seekers in Ethiopia are experiencing circumstances akin to the kidnapping, trafficking and extortion previously seen in Libya and the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt before that. Eritreans are kidnapped for ransom; they are arrested for being unlawfully in the country even though the registration process is closed or requires them to be in refugee camps in locations that are not safe, such as the Amhara Region, which is also a marginalized and insecure area.
The non-refoulement principles, enshrined in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and other international human rights treaties and legal instruments, applies to all forms of expulsion, regardless of nationality or migration status.
The arbitrary arrest, detention, imposition of excessive fines, up to 100,000 birr, to be paid; and refoulement/deportation of Eritreans are continuing, terrorizing the Eritrean community in Ethiopia and their families in the diaspora. Eritreans are reminded of the trauma suffered because of the 1998-2000 deportations, an event that created a deep wedge and resentment between the Eritrean and Ethiopian people. A wrong that you regretted in 2018 and had promised not to repeat. It looks like it was a false promise.
There are also many Eritrean refugees whose papers have expired and are unable to renew their papers.
The indiscriminate harassment and arrest of Eritreans in Addis Ababa – The round-up and arrest of Eritreans started in 2022:
First, they were held in detention, later, around 400 deported to Eritrea and sadly it continues, which, just happened this September 2025.and many others paid ransom to be released. They are forced to pay over hundreds of thousands in Ethiopian funds, for their release with no guarantee that they will not be detained and extorted again. As a result, Eritreans have been arrested multiple times. Each time, they are forced to pay again for their release.
In addition to the violence inflicted on the Eritreans at the time of arrest, we also have reports that while in detention, Eritreans, both men and women, have suffered sexual attacks. At the same time, Eritreans not detained have become prey to thieves who rob them by pretending to be members of the police or the security force.
Eritreans are seeking safety and refuge in Ethiopia; they are fleeing their country to escape human rights abuses and violations, including arbitrary detention, restrictions on rights of freedom of expression, association, religion, and belief; and forced labor. However, recent events mean that Eritreans are not safe in Ethiopia. As a signatory of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 protocol; and the 1969 AU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, Ethiopia has a responsibility to ensure the safety of Eritreans relying on receiving protection there.
In conclusion, Eritreans have no way of legalizing their presence in Ethiopia because asylum and refugee registration have been closed since 2020; at the same time, they are arbitrarily arrested, forced to pay excessive amount of money, and are threatened with deportation to Eritrea to terrorize them. Hence, in Ethiopia, Eritrean refugees are subjected to a situation of constructive refoulement. Eritreans are caught in a trap with no way out and exposed.
We request your urgent intervention to ensure that the Ethiopian government abides by its international and regional human rights obligations towards Eritrean asylum seekers and refugees. Specifically, we kindly request the urgent implementation of the recommendations below.
Recommendations
1) RSS to reopen refugee registration in Ethiopia.
2) Registration to be carried out in Addis Ababa and all other urban centers where Eritreans already live.
3) Eritreans arrested for being unlawfully in the country should have their status assessed by RSS, and if they qualify for refugee status, they be registered and any penalty waived.
4) Refugees to not be asked to travel to insecure and dangerous camps for registration.
5) A refugee camp to not be opened in the Afar region. It is not a safe or secure area.
6) Respect the International norms of non-refoulement.
Yours sincerely,
George Ghebreslassie, founder and director of Surbana Medias and Community Services, Inc.
Email: merkebna1@gmail.com
TEL: +1-302-521-9047
Cc: Director General UNHCR.
H.E. Filippo Grandi
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Case
Postale 2500 CH-1211 Genève 2 Dépôt Done, Switzerland
- Commissioner of the African Union Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.
Rémy Ngoy Lumbu
au-banjul@africanunion.org
- United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
- • uncommunication.et@un.org
- (UNHROHC) Special Rapporteur on Eritrea
Dr. Mohamed Babakir
Hrc-SR-Eriteria- babiker@un.org
- Resident Representative UNHCR Ethiopia.
Andrew Mbogori
- Regional Director UNHCR for East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes
Mamadou Dian Balde
kuwku@unhcr.org
- Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center, Director
Yared H/Mariam
EHRDcenter@ethdefenders.orgcom & Yared-executive@ethdefenders.org
Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center- EHRDC
Sunshine Tower No. 5, Meskel Square, on Bole Road
next to Hyatt Regency Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- U.S. Senator Chris Coons
127A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 2051
[1] https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5624-situation-human-rights-eritrea-report-special-rapporteur; See also: https://undocs.org/A/HRC/29/41; https://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/35/39; https://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/41/53; https://undocs.org/A/HRC/42/23; https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc4721-situation-human-rights-eritrea-report-special-rapporteur; https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5020-situation-human-rights-eritrea-report-special-rapporteur; and https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5320-situation-human-rights-eritrea-report-special-rapporteur
[1] Yemane G.Meskel Minister of Information Eritrea;
1,657
The Issue
13 September 2025
His Excellency Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
By e-mail: info@pmo.gov.et
Re: Ongoing Arrests, Deportation, and Generally Targeting of Eritrean Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Addis Ababa
We are Eritrean organizations, International human rights activists and concerned individuals who are highly distressed about the ongoing harassment, indiscriminate arrest and delays of asylum seekers process, of Eritreans in Ethiopia.
In February 2019, the Ethiopian Government issued Proclamation 1110/2019 – An official proclamation intended to give refugees in Ethiopia freedom of movement and residence, the right to access education and health care, to obtain a driver’s license, register births and marriages, and to open bank accounts. The policy change was a significant and welcome demonstration of Ethiopian leadership on refugee issues.
However, by December 2019, Directive 1/2019 clawed back refugees' right to live outside the camps. Refugees must reside in the camps before being eligible to live outside the camp. The 2019 Directive changes the right to freedom of movement of the Refugee Proclamation 1110/2019 to by permission, a bonus granted at the discretion of the Government. Specifically…
Article 28: Freedom of Movement (Refugee Proclamation 1110/2019)
1) Subject to the laws applicable to foreign nationals generally in the same circumstances, every recognized refugee or asylum seeker has, within the national territory, the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose his residence, as well as the freedom to leave the country any time he wishes too.
Article 8 – Conditions for Regular Residency Outside Camp (Refugee Directive 1/2019)
1) A refugee who had lived in the camp for a month (30 days) or longer may be granted a permit for regular out-of-camp residency where he:
a. Can prove that he can cover the costs of living outside the camp; or
b. Can produce a sponsor who can regularly cover his costs of living outside of camp; or
c. Receives a work permit that allows him to work legally by applicable laws.
In the aftermath of the Ethiopia-Eritrea 2018 peace process. even as the Ethiopian Government was taking essential steps to provide a more inclusive framework for the assistance and protection of refugees, in the case of Eritrean refugees, the government ceased to apply a policy of ‘as of right status’ to Eritrean refugees. The action was taken even though, irrespective of the peace process, the conditions that led Eritreans to flee to Ethiopia continued. The peace process did not result in any discernible changes to the Eritrean government’s indefinite abusive National Service and the overall militarization of the country. In June 2024, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Eritrea reported that the situation in Eritrea had not changed and that the Eritrean government had not implemented any of the recommendations made by regional and international human rights bodies. [1] Unfortunately for the Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia, despite the lack of any real changes for the people of Eritrea, especially the youth, in July 2020, Your Excellency flew with your spouse and President Isaias and his wife to the Sawa Military Training Centre to review the preparations for the graduation of the 33rd round (Zuria) of Sawa cadets, thereby legitimizing President Isaias' National Service for Life policies that the Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia fled.[2]
Since the year 2020 Ethiopian government closed Endaba Guna and ceased the asylum-seeking process. However, desperate Eritrean citizens have not stopped running away from the brutal regime in Eritrea which arbitrary detains, kidnaps and even kills civilians.
The Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers fled Eritrea to escape from the oppressive conditions and gross violation of human rights, including the open-ended abusive national service, which had by then degenerated into a modern form of slavery. Up to 100 000 refugees lived in ARRA (later RRS)-administered and UNHCR-supported refugee camps, and since the end of 2020 an additional 100,000 Eritreans fled Eritrea and entered Ethiopia to seek protection. After the war broke out in Tigray region, the Eritrean refugees in the different locations were targeted by different actors. The refugee camps have become death traps, and many of the refugees have been fleeing in the unlikely hope of saving their lives. It is profoundly ironic that people who fled in search of international protection and to escape indefinite conscription and gross violation of human rights would find themselves subjected to atrocities. Forcible return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers to their country of origin in the absence of fundamental political changes amounts to forcible return or refoulement. Non-refoulement is one of the most sacrosanct principles in the international Refugee Convention.
The prohibition is not only limited to returning refugees to a country from which they had fled, and where they are likely to suffer persecutory treatment but also placing such refugees in unsafe and insecure places also amounts to refoulement. The war-torn region of Tigray became manifestly unsafe to host refugees. That is why the UNHCR’s High Commissioner for refugees, Mr. Grandi, strongly urged the Ethiopian Prime Minister to remedy the situation. Ethiopia, as a sovereign state, has the prerogative to grant and/or deny asylum status to Eritrean or other refugees. Nevertheless, as a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to Refugee Status, the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, the authorities in Ethiopia are bound by
the provisions of these and other human rights treaties, inter alia, to ensure the safety and security of all refugees, including the Eritrean refugees in the country.
The horror and death trap continuous for over 21,000 Eritreans refugee who displaced/evacuated from Tigray camps to Alemwatch camp (Established in June 25,2021) they continuously, encounters with serious issues of attack, abuses and disappearances.
Evacuating desperate refugee from Tigray camps to Alemwatch camp was to save their lives and guarantee their safety, however between then to date, we have received credible reports of 12 death by militias and criminals, over 50 individuals of serious injuries and kidnappings of children for ransom(we have received and compiled all videos and pictures of those who died and injured).
Alemwatch camp became a death trap for refugee, out of desperation, many of them took a risky journey and end up dying, at the hands of smugglers, warehouses in Libya, perishing in mediterranean sea, also dying in Libyan detention centers.
Recently, we have received many reports regarding the detention of Eritreans in Addis Ababa, and sadly hundreds of them have already been deported back to Eritrea through the Afar region. Also, due to threats and safety issues there are Eritreans who attempted to cross to Kenya but caught and detained in bordering Kenya or in Oromia Region of Ethiopia.
We also have credible reports of extortion of over 100,000 birr per person to be released from police stations in Addis Ababa. Currently hundreds, if not thousands of Eritreans are detained, beaten and injured in detention centers. Disappearance of individuals is occurring, as well.
Eritrean refugees and Asylum seekers in Ethiopia are experiencing circumstances akin to the kidnapping, trafficking and extortion previously seen in Libya and the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt before that. Eritreans are kidnapped for ransom; they are arrested for being unlawfully in the country even though the registration process is closed or requires them to be in refugee camps in locations that are not safe, such as the Amhara Region, which is also a marginalized and insecure area.
The non-refoulement principles, enshrined in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and other international human rights treaties and legal instruments, applies to all forms of expulsion, regardless of nationality or migration status.
The arbitrary arrest, detention, imposition of excessive fines, up to 100,000 birr, to be paid; and refoulement/deportation of Eritreans are continuing, terrorizing the Eritrean community in Ethiopia and their families in the diaspora. Eritreans are reminded of the trauma suffered because of the 1998-2000 deportations, an event that created a deep wedge and resentment between the Eritrean and Ethiopian people. A wrong that you regretted in 2018 and had promised not to repeat. It looks like it was a false promise.
There are also many Eritrean refugees whose papers have expired and are unable to renew their papers.
The indiscriminate harassment and arrest of Eritreans in Addis Ababa – The round-up and arrest of Eritreans started in 2022:
First, they were held in detention, later, around 400 deported to Eritrea and sadly it continues, which, just happened this September 2025.and many others paid ransom to be released. They are forced to pay over hundreds of thousands in Ethiopian funds, for their release with no guarantee that they will not be detained and extorted again. As a result, Eritreans have been arrested multiple times. Each time, they are forced to pay again for their release.
In addition to the violence inflicted on the Eritreans at the time of arrest, we also have reports that while in detention, Eritreans, both men and women, have suffered sexual attacks. At the same time, Eritreans not detained have become prey to thieves who rob them by pretending to be members of the police or the security force.
Eritreans are seeking safety and refuge in Ethiopia; they are fleeing their country to escape human rights abuses and violations, including arbitrary detention, restrictions on rights of freedom of expression, association, religion, and belief; and forced labor. However, recent events mean that Eritreans are not safe in Ethiopia. As a signatory of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 protocol; and the 1969 AU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, Ethiopia has a responsibility to ensure the safety of Eritreans relying on receiving protection there.
In conclusion, Eritreans have no way of legalizing their presence in Ethiopia because asylum and refugee registration have been closed since 2020; at the same time, they are arbitrarily arrested, forced to pay excessive amount of money, and are threatened with deportation to Eritrea to terrorize them. Hence, in Ethiopia, Eritrean refugees are subjected to a situation of constructive refoulement. Eritreans are caught in a trap with no way out and exposed.
We request your urgent intervention to ensure that the Ethiopian government abides by its international and regional human rights obligations towards Eritrean asylum seekers and refugees. Specifically, we kindly request the urgent implementation of the recommendations below.
Recommendations
1) RSS to reopen refugee registration in Ethiopia.
2) Registration to be carried out in Addis Ababa and all other urban centers where Eritreans already live.
3) Eritreans arrested for being unlawfully in the country should have their status assessed by RSS, and if they qualify for refugee status, they be registered and any penalty waived.
4) Refugees to not be asked to travel to insecure and dangerous camps for registration.
5) A refugee camp to not be opened in the Afar region. It is not a safe or secure area.
6) Respect the International norms of non-refoulement.
Yours sincerely,
George Ghebreslassie, founder and director of Surbana Medias and Community Services, Inc.
Email: merkebna1@gmail.com
TEL: +1-302-521-9047
Cc: Director General UNHCR.
H.E. Filippo Grandi
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Case
Postale 2500 CH-1211 Genève 2 Dépôt Done, Switzerland
- Commissioner of the African Union Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.
Rémy Ngoy Lumbu
au-banjul@africanunion.org
- United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
- • uncommunication.et@un.org
- (UNHROHC) Special Rapporteur on Eritrea
Dr. Mohamed Babakir
Hrc-SR-Eriteria- babiker@un.org
- Resident Representative UNHCR Ethiopia.
Andrew Mbogori
- Regional Director UNHCR for East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes
Mamadou Dian Balde
kuwku@unhcr.org
- Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center, Director
Yared H/Mariam
EHRDcenter@ethdefenders.orgcom & Yared-executive@ethdefenders.org
Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center- EHRDC
Sunshine Tower No. 5, Meskel Square, on Bole Road
next to Hyatt Regency Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- U.S. Senator Chris Coons
127A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 2051
[1] https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5624-situation-human-rights-eritrea-report-special-rapporteur; See also: https://undocs.org/A/HRC/29/41; https://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/35/39; https://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/41/53; https://undocs.org/A/HRC/42/23; https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc4721-situation-human-rights-eritrea-report-special-rapporteur; https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5020-situation-human-rights-eritrea-report-special-rapporteur; and https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5320-situation-human-rights-eritrea-report-special-rapporteur
[1] Yemane G.Meskel Minister of Information Eritrea;
1,657
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Petition created on September 14, 2025