Reports from the BBC reveal a significant escalation in the detention of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. The arrests, which have instilled fear within the Eritrean community, mark a troubling development for those who fled their homeland seeking safety from oppression and forced conscription.
Crackdown on Eritrean Refugees
According to the BBC, hundreds of Eritreans have been detained in Addis Ababa in recent weeks. Refugees recount instances of arrests that appear indiscriminate, with some being targeted merely for speaking Tigrinya, a language spoken in Eritrea and parts of Ethiopia.
One refugee told the BBC that he and others were detained after a bystander overheard them conversing in Tigrinya at a café. “The police demanded bribes for our release, arranging payments in secret to leave no evidence,” he said.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has acknowledged the situation and pledged to investigate the arrests, but Addis Ababa’s police have yet to comment publicly on the matter.
Refugees Fear Deportation
The detainees include individuals who have been held for weeks or even months without due process. Many fear deportation to Eritrea, where they would face imprisonment or worse.
One refugee described to the BBC how his sister was detained while shopping and has been in custody for three weeks. “I can’t visit her for fear of being arrested myself,” he explained. “I worry she might be forcibly returned to Eritrea.”
Safety Risks Beyond Addis Ababa
The BBC also highlighted the dangers faced by Eritrean refugees outside the capital. At the Alemwach refugee camp in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, refugees reported frequent attacks by armed groups. Instances of robberies, kidnappings, and violent assaults have become common, with at least nine refugees killed over the past year, according to camp representatives.
The worsening conditions have drawn parallels to the mass arrests and deportations of Eritreans during the 1998–2000 war between the two nations.
Deteriorating Ethiopia-Eritrea Relations
Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have worsened since the conclusion of Ethiopia’s two-year civil war in Tigray. Diplomatic ties have been severed, and flights and communication lines between the two countries remain suspended. The fragile relationship has exacerbated the plight of Eritrean refugees, many of whom are now seeking alternative routes to leave Ethiopia.
However, the BBC reports that Eritreans attempting to secure travel documents are also at risk of arrest, further limiting their options for escape.
Calls for International Action
Eritrean refugees are urging the international community, including the UN and human rights organizations, to intervene. They describe the arrests as systematic and indiscriminate, targeting both documented and undocumented refugees.
“The situation is dire,” one Eritrean refugee in Addis Ababa told the BBC. “We fled persecution in Eritrea, only to face it again here in Ethiopia.”
The BBC also reported growing desperation among refugees, many of whom fear for their safety as conditions continue to deteriorate. The arrests have drawn significant concern from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which has called for urgent attention to address the situation and protect the rights of refugees.
International Attention Urgently Needed
The plight of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia underscores the broader instability in the region. As Ethiopia grapples with internal and cross-border challenges, the international community’s involvement is critical to safeguarding vulnerable populations and preventing further human rights violations.
