Statement delivered by Mr. Habtom Zerai, Chargé d’affaires at the Permanent Mission of Eritrea to the United Nations Interactive Dialogue on the Human Rights Situation in Eritrea 16 June 2025

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

 As the report just presented shares the same motive, content, and methodology as previous reports from the Special Rapporteur, I will not waste your time refuting it. This report, like the ones before it, relies on unverifiable claims and biased assessments from anonymous sources outside Eritrea. These sources, whose identities, affiliations, and motivations remain undisclosed, avoid any form of scrutiny. The report, therefore, lacks objectivity, transparency, accountability, and balance.

 It’s worth noting that this report directly contradicts the verifiable and comprehensive reports regularly submitted by various UN agencies operating within Eritrea.

 As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, I would like to take this opportunity to provide the Council with a cursory background on how Eritrea was subjected to this mandate.

 Mr. President,

We must confront an uncomfortable truth: our international system often falters when faced with power dynamics and political expediency. Eritrea is one good example where the UN’s founding ideals have been inconsistently applied or outright denied.

 This pattern of injustice began in 1952 when Eritrea’s right to decolonization was subverted under the auspices of the UN. Instead of granting independence, Eritrea was forcibly federated with another country, violating the UN Charter. When this federation was unilaterally dissolved and Eritrea forcibly annexed in 1962, the UN’s silence amounted to complicity. This inaction set the stage for decades of conflict and suffering.

 In 2002, despite the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission’s final and binding decision, the UN Security Council failed to enforce it. This failure of responsibility, not capacity, left Eritrea enduring years of military tension, economic hardship, and regional instability.

 In 2009, the Security Council imposed sanctions on Eritrea based on unsubstantiated politically motivated allegations. Ignoring due process and denying Eritrea the right to reply, these unjust sanctions, and political isolation persisted for nearly two decades.

 Since 2012, the human rights machinery followed suit with country-specific resolutions, commission of inquiry, and the appointment of Special Rapporteurs, which have subjected Eritrea to deliberate and consistent campaigns of vilification for the last thirteen years.

 Throughout this period, Eritrea’s calls for engagement, dialogue, and technical cooperation were consistently dismissed. Our sovereignty was disregarded, and our dignity trampled.

 Mr. President,

Despite facing immense challenges, Eritrea remains unwavering in its dedication to enhancing the lives of its citizens. We continue to prioritize investments in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, gender equity, and sustainable development.

 Eritrea is also fostering opportunities for meaningful dialogue with all states and partners who approach us in good faith, mutual respect, and shared interests. We have actively participated in the Universal Periodic Review, African Union Human rights mechanisms, and technical cooperation with UN agencies. Just last week, we hosted in Asmara a retreat of Regional Directors of various UN agencies, including the regional director of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

 In closing, Mr. President,

Eritrea supports constructive international engagement through legitimate multilateral channels based on mutual respect and equality. However, we reject politically motivated mechanisms driven by hostility and double standards. Eritrea does not reject human rights; we reject their instrumentalization as weapons to undermine national sovereignty.

As the UN turns 80, this Council must not condone mandates that bypass consent, ignore context, and discard objectivity to accommodate the prerogatives of certain powerful member States.

To this end, Mr. President, Eritrea has tabled a draft resolution calling for the termination of this mandate. We therefore call on all members of this Council to terminate the Special Rapporteur mandate on Eritrea, a mandate that has strayed far from its legal foundations, failed to produce credible findings, and does a disservice to the cause of human rights.

 Thank you.