UNHRC 20th regular session condemns Eritrea

Addis Ababa, June 20 (WIC) - The High Commissioner of the UN Human Rights’ Council has expressed deep concern over systematic human rights violations by the Eritrean regime.
Opening the 20th Session of the UNHRC in Geneva on Monday, the Commissioner called for the government of Eritrea to cooperate with international and regional human rights mechanisms.
A number of other countries and bodies including the European Union expressed their strong support for the Commissioner’s report, pointing out that violations of human rights committed by the regime in Asmara “extend beyond the horrific treatment of political prisoners; and include forced labor; arbitrary arrests and disappearances; torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatments; religious prosecutions and restrictions of freedom of movement”.

During the afternoon session Ethiopia’s Ambassador Minelik, Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva delivered a statement to the Council, welcoming the High Commissioner's Comprehensive Report, and endorsing statements made by Senegal on behalf of the African Group and by Egypt on behalf the Non-Aligned Movement.
Ambassador Minelik noted the efforts on strengthening the treaty bodies system and said Ethiopia believed the efficiency and coherence of the system should involve full compliance with the respective treaties.

He said the State Parties Reports should be maintained as the center of this robust monitoring system.

He called for the election of Committee members with competence, impartiality and independence and full respect for the Council’s Code of Conduct.
The UN Human Rights’ Council's meeting will continue for the next three weeks.