Geneva (Dawan Africa) – The United Nations Human Rights Council has overwhelmingly rejected a draft resolution submitted by Eritrea seeking to terminate the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea.
The resolution, listed as A/HRC/59/L.1/Rev.1, was rejected by a vote of 25 against, 4 in favor, and 18 abstentions, according to the official voting breakdown published by the Council.
Among the countries voting in favor of Eritrea's resolution were China, Cuba, Sudan, and Bolivia. Key abstentions included Algeria, Indonesia, South Africa, Qatar, Kenya, and Bangladesh. A strong majority of Council members—including France, Germany, Brazil, Ethiopia, Mexico, and the Republic of Korea—voted against the motion.
The Eritrean government has long objected to the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, arguing that it is politically biased and infringes on national sovereignty. However, international human rights organizations and several member states argue that ongoing concerns—including arbitrary detention, repression of civil liberties, and indefinite conscription—warrant continued monitoring.
The Special Rapporteur has been mandated since 2012 to investigate and report on the human rights situation in Eritrea. The role includes country assessments, thematic reports, and engagement with the Eritrean government—though access to the country has consistently been denied.
The result of the vote indicates sustained international concern over the human rights situation in Eritrea and a lack of consensus in the international community over ending independent scrutiny.
