A/HRC/29/41
that Eritrea will announce that it has attended to these two outstanding steps to reinforce its
commitment to eradicate torture when submitting its initial report to the Committee against
Torture, due on 25 October 2015. Eritrea should also accede to the International
Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance, as well as all
other remaining human rights treaties.41
69.
Another action point falling under the first priority area concerns putting an
immediate end to the indefinite national service. The Special Rapporteur dealt with this
matter in her previous report (A/HRC/26/45), informing the Human Rights Council that the
unlimited national service in effect amounted to forced labour. While she has taken note of
informal announcements that the twenty-eighth round of national service would last for 18
months, she obtained information that this notice has reportedly not been communicated to
the recruits or to their parents. It would appear that the conscripts, their families and the
world at large will have to wait 18 months before getting any confirmation as to whether
the Government will comply with the 18-month duration of the national service.
70.
In the light of the present report and the report of the commission of inquiry
(A/HRC/29/42), the Special Rapporteur would suggest the following follow-up action
points:
(a)
Determine new priority areas and action points, and review outstanding ones
to ensure that they respond to the situation on the ground, incorporating elements such as
the exodus of people, including unaccompanied children;
(b)
Ensure that the mandate is maintained and remains a safe space where
information on human rights situation in Eritrea can be channelled;
(c)
Follow up on any recommendations deemed appropriate by the commission
of inquiry on human rights in Eritrea.
VII. Conclusions and recommendations
A.
Conclusions
71.
The Special Rapporteur was encouraged by the signs, although still few, that
Eritrea is increasing its engagement with the international community, and welcomed
such an outward-looking step as an unequivocal measure by the State to abide fully by
its human rights obligations.
72.
However, she would like to remind Eritrea and the international community
that trading human rights for short-term political or economic gains would
undermine the long-term enjoyment of all human rights by all in Eritrea. Overtures to
41
18
As at 26 May 2015, pending ratifications include the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, the Optional Protocol to the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Optional Protocol to the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Optional
Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, the
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
Their Families, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional
Protocol.
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