There’s an old joke from the Soviet era where Leonid Brezhnev is talking to his deputy. Brezhnev says, “If we lift the Iron Curtain and allow our people to leave the U.S.S.R., the only ones who will be left here are you and me.” The deputy responds, “Speak for yourself.”
Repressive regimes often prevent their people from leaving. If the doors were open, everybody would go. The classic example of this in today’s world is North Korea. The state is a vicious dictatorship run by a spoiled child. Few people are able to escape from North Korea, and those who do usually end up in China, which is not exactly a paragon of human rights.
If there were a contest for most repressive regime after North Korea, Eritrea would certainly be in the running. The country is a single party state that allows no dissent and has no independent media (it is actually rated worse than North Korea in terms of press freedom–how is that even possible?!). There is a “national service” program that is akin to slavery and members of “unregistered” religions are severely persecuted and killed. On the other hand, they have nice weather this time of year.
Eritreans are not permitted to leave the country without permission, which is often impossible to obtain. But given conditions in Eritrea, and the fact that the country has a long–and difficult to police–land border, many Eritreans flee the country and seek asylum abroad. Most Eritrean asylum seekers end up in neighboring countries: In 2008, for example, over 8,000 Eritreans sought asylum in Ethiopia and about 13,000 registered as refugees in Sudan. According to the United Nations, in 2011, about 11,900 Eritreans sought asylum in the industrialized world (basically North America, Europe, and Israel), and Eritrea has consistently ranked in the top dozen source countries for asylum-seekers.
As you might expect, there have been high profile defections. Last year, two Eritrean pilots stole a government jet, flew to Saudi Arabia, and asked for asylum. Last month, a female Eritrean pilot sent to Saudi Arabia to retrieve the stolen jet also defected and has asked the Saudis for asylum. To me, the fact that a woman pilot would request asylum in Saudi Arabia–a country where women are not allowed to drive cars, let alone fly airplanes–speaks volumes about the desperation of these people.
Eritrean soccer players have also defected in droves. In 2006, four players defected in Kenya. The next year, 12 players requested asylum while in Tanzania. Also in 2007, another six players sought asylum in Angola and three more defected and requested asylum in Sudan. After that, the Eritrean government required soccer players traveling abroad to post a bond before leaving the country. Despite this precaution, 12 players defected in Kenya after a tournament in 2009. And last December, the entire team (along with their doctor) disappeared in Uganda. They requested asylum from Kampala. Given this record, its not too surprising that the team has never qualified for the World Cup or the African Nations Cup.
In my practice, I have represented many asylum seekers from Eritrea. They fear indefinite conscription, and religious or political persecution. My clients have been physically beaten, detained in metal shipping containers, and treated as slaves. Their family members have disappeared or been killed. Indeed, the situation is so bad that the United Nations actually created special guidelines for assessing Eritrean asylum claims.
While the civilized governments of the world should be working to change the regime in Eritrea (and other countries that abuse human rights), we should continue to offer asylum to people who flee such places.
ERITRIA NO LOW NO GOVERNMENT ZONE IN THE WORLD.THISIS THE LAST TIME ERITRIA TO ATEND FOOTBALL AS LONG AS THOSE GANGISTERS IN POWER.
@ Yonatan: boooooooooo……..
In reality, the article has described the reality in my beloved country. I donot know which Eritrea are you talking about ata sebari xahlu.
Wait an munite ..wait a munite @Yonatan ..I didnt readat your last comment where you claimed private medias are opening ..men you are in denial and you are totaly out of grasp of Eritrean Realm.
Have you ever been in prison in Adi-abeito,maisrwa,mietr,Ala,aderser or other similar prisons where the govt puts thousands of youngsters for eviction of the unlimited- conscription,for religious beliefs (pentecostals ) .. do you know how your fellow Eritreans are suffering there for doing nothing against the law
* National service :According to the law says only for 18 months
*Religious beliefs : Law gives a freedom for individuals to believe what ever they belive in ..
Infact who am I kidding we dont even have a constitution ..can you belive our fathers and brothers fought for independence from ethiopia for 30 years to end up in a country with no rule of law and constitution…
I would have said more but I have even written too much for a comment.
A Good artcile, Ya thats the sad story of my country,but nobody seems to know about it.
@Yonatan …when did u leave the country ? u r saing u serve two years and just released as simple as that.If you have left th ecountry prior to 1998 ok I will agree with you.I have been in national service for 8 years and managed to cross the boarder just few months ago through the risky Ethio-Eritrean boarder.Please get your facts right,ask and believe those who are leaving the country right now otherthan believing the Goverment propaganda or just stand in old facts (facts prior to the ethio-ethiopian war).
Thanks
to Yonathan
This is not the truth You’re denying reality, and trying to hold onto your own perceptions of reality, when in fact, you’re avoiding the truth
This is terribly bias. Where are your cites? Who did you speak to? I was born and raised in Asmara and was freely able to leave after 2 years of military service. I am a Muslim, and am not from a rich or high profile family. You should really speak to people who live in the states, Europe, and England. Get more sources……..America is a super power police state. They feel the need to help those who wouldn’t acquire the help, had they read the fine print. The reason why America,Canada,Europe and England hate Eritrea so much. Is becuse we decline to conform to their rules. We are the ONLY country to not accept ANY foreign aid. We don’t accept money from any country at all. We purchase our own military and naval integraties. And have chosen to keep to our selves. We’ve been disrespected in Hollywood (Movie: The Dictator….while they portray the evil dictator born in a country called Wadiya, yet had the Sam LAT and LONG of Eritrea. As well as the same geographical shape). Other than that. We are always compared to North Korea and Zimbabwe. When our president hasn’t killed anyone. While millions die in North Korea and Zimbabwe. We have food and water for our people. Unlike Ethiopia and North Korea. We have a government that spends money on new roads and helps people to purchase homes,food and goods. While places like North Korea have to point warheads at South Korea to have forcefull aid/food etc etc. please. The next Time you choose to
Bash a country. Make sure it’s not mine. My people and government are amazing. They wish to help the people…..it’s the fucking media that twists everything. Before I leave. You should check out the new media stations that have opened in Eritrea. You’d be surprised. They’re publicly and privately funded.
[…] the Last Eritrean to Flee the Country Please Turn Out the Lights (The Asylumist, May 2013) [text] – Note: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Eritrea is visiting […]
Wow. What a fascinating column. Don’t think I’ll put Eritrea on my bucket list.