Eritrean Refugees Face Widespread Crackdown in Ethiopia

Eritrean refugees in Addis Ababa are expressing alarm as police conduct a significant crackdown, leading to numerous arrests in the past weeks, raising fears for their safety and freedom.

Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, are currently enduring a troubling crackdown, with many members of their community reporting widespread arrests. Those who fled Eritrea seeking refuge have found themselves in a precarious situation where local authorities are arresting individuals on the basis of their ethnicity and language. Recent reports indicate that hundreds of Eritreans have been detained without due process, with some held for weeks or even months.

A recent anonymous account from a refugee drew attention to the dangerous atmosphere: “We were simply sitting in a café speaking Tigrinya when the police arrived after someone reported us," he stated. The situation has sparked concern from various human rights organizations, prompting the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to announce an investigation into the reported abuses.

This resurgence of fear echoes a troubled history between Eritrea and Ethiopia, particularly relating to the 1998-2000 border war, which left countless Eritreans vulnerable. As tensions mount again, flights and communications between the countries have been cut off, prompting many Eritreans in Ethiopia to call upon international organizations for urgent assistance.

One refugee lamented the arbitrary conditions of the crackdown: “Even mothers visiting their detained family have faced arrest. Our lives are now in jeopardy again.” As the situation continues to unfold, many Eritreans in Ethiopia find themselves desperate and searching for a means to escape the escalating violence and harassment, with calls for prompt intervention intensifying amid widespread insecurity and uncertainty.