UN Side-Event in Geneva Searches for Alternative Avenues for Justice in Eritrea

2017-06-15 19:19:09 Written by  EPDP Information Office Published in EPDP News Read 2423 times

A few hours before the UN Human Rights Council started its agenda on Eritrea on 14 June, the Eritrean Law Society and other sister human rights organizations held a side-event on Eritrea to discuss alternative avenues other than the ICC and regional mechanisms in the attempt of bringing to accountability those persons who allegedly committed crimes against humanity in Eritrea in the period 1991 to 2016.

 

Panelists at the well attended Eritrea side-event, that was moderated by Dr. Daniel R. Mekonnen of the Eritrean Law Society, included Mr. Suzko Lungu, a law expert from the South African Litigation Center; Mr. Adam Kunfu, Eritrean family member of a victim, and Ms Rita Mazzochi, from the Nairobi-based Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum.

 

Dr. Daniel Mekonnen stated in his opening remarks that last year's conclusions and recommendations of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea will take time to be implemented through international and regional mechanisms.  Meanwhile, it is incumbent upon Eritrean and fraternal civil society activists to search for other mechanisms for serving justice.

 

He stated that alternative avenues include trying to bring to accountability those persons suspected of having committed "crimes against humanity" at regional or national courts of law outside Eritrea.  Mr. Suzko Lungu spoke on the relevance of physical presence of suspected criminals for prosecution although investigations can be initiated in the absence of those suspects.  Eritrean civil society need to compile sufficient evidence on such cases although the country where the case is initiated outside Eritrea can also make its own assessments.

 

Young Adam Kunfu narrated the story of the disappearance of his father and a dozen other Sanafe residents in 2002 and how much families of victims suffer by the actions of the Eritrean regime. Ms Rita Mazzochi explained in greater details the aims and activities of the Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum and its significance in handling human rights issues in the countries it covers.

 

In the discussion that followed, discussants considered the expected role of civil society and what the African Union can do in implementing the UN COI decisions.

 

Earlier day, 13 June, the Eritrean regime also organized a self-propagation event at which Eritrean justice seekers challenged the falsehoods stated by the same regime envoy, Wedi Gerhatu.

Last modified on Thursday, 15 June 2017 21:30