Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for his oral update and urges the Government of Eritrea to cooperate fully with his mandate.

We are gravely concerned by Eritrea’s involvement in the Ethiopian conflict, and reports of human rights violations and abuses, including the forced returns of Eritrean refugees. We call on Eritrea to investigate all alleged human rights violations committed by its troops during the conflict, including deeply concerning allegations of rape and other sexual and gender-based violence.

Australia remains concerned by ongoing reports of forced labour, child labour and prolonged, compulsory national service. We call on Eritrea to cease the recruitment and use of children and allow them their right to life and education.

We are concerned by continuing restrictions on freedom of association, expression and religion or belief. We call on the Government of Eritrea to immediately release all prisoners detained for their religious beliefs, or for exercising their right to freedom of expression or assembly.

We reaffirm our support for the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and ask how the Special Rapporteur is coordinating with the Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia in its investigation.