Egypt Repatriates Eritrean Refugees

By Nykoel Dinardo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – On December 24, Egypt repatriated twenty-five Eritrean asylum caught on their way to Israel.  Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch made pleas that Egypt stay the repatriation until UNHCR could assess their claims. 

Human Rights Watch (HRW) deputy director Joe Stork said that Egypt’s actions were “outrageous” and that they were giving Eritrean officials access to nationals fearing persecution over the UNHCR.  Egypt is required under international human rights law and refugee law to stay repatriation of people who are at risk of torture or persecution. 

According to Amnesty International (AI), the group was part of a larger group of 104 – comprised of 78 men and 23 women, including one who was pregnant.  The remainder of the group is still being held in Nakhl detention center, in Northern Sinai.  AI reported that all of those deported are likely to be held incommunicado in inhumane conditions.  They could also be subject to torture or detention indefinitely without trial.  AI also reported that there are numerous other Eritrean detainees being held in other prisons in Egypt and that none of the migrants have access to UNHCR.  UN guidelines state that asylum holders should only be detained as a last resort.

Both HRW and AI request that Egypt uphold their obligations under international law.  HRW states that Egypt should under no circumstances deport the Eritrean refugees, and that the detainees should be given access to UNHCR.  AI is calling on Egypt to ensure that all those who are claiming asylum can have their petition reviewed. 

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Egypt Repatriates 25 Eritreans, Ignoring Appeals – 24 December 2008

Reuters – Egypt Must Allow UN Access to Eritrean Migrants, Says HRW – 20 December 2008

Amnesty International – Eritrean Asylum-Seekers Deported From Egypt – 19 December 2008

Human Rights Watch – Egypt: Don’t Return Eritrean Asylum Seekers At Risk – 19 December 2008

Author: Impunity Watch Archive