Eiraeiro prison
Eiraeiro is a secret prison in Eritrea. Most sources give the location of Eiraeiro as being situated near the village of Gahtelay, in the Northern Red Sea Region.[1][2][3] However, in an article in the Guardian, Eiraeiro is cited as being located approximately 10 miles from the capital, Asmara.[4]
History and role[edit]
Little is known about Eiraeiro, it is believed to have been built in c.2003,[5][6] and used to indefinitely house political prisoners under Isaias Afwerki´s presidency. Standards of care are very poor; in 2008 it was reported that of the initial 35 prisoners, 15 had died and another 9 were in 'very poor health'.[5] Prisoners are reportedly shackled 24 hours a day, and are severely emaciated.[7] Torture is also reportedly carried out in the prison.[6] According to a Reporters Without Borders report, Eiraeiro contains 62 cells, which each measure 3 meters by 3 meters.[6] The prison has been described as a death camp.[8][9]
Many of Eiraeiro's reported prisoners are journalists and former government officials who signed a letter protesting President Isaias' rule and policies, and called for his resignation, all of whom are being held without trial, for an indefinite period of time.[10] The signatories are collectively known as the G-15. The status of the G-15 members, and that of other prisoners, is currently unknown, however in 2018 there were unconfirmed reports that former Minister of Finance and Development Haile Woldetensae had died in captivity. A former Eiraeiro guard who fled the country reported that approximately half of the imprisoned G-15 members had died by 2004.[10]
In his 2018 book Dictatorland, journalist Paul Kenyon states that it is believed that approximately 30 or so similar detention facilities are found across the country.[11]
Notable Inmates[edit]
G-15 Members[11] including:
References[edit]
- ^ "New revelations about Eiraeiro prison camp - The journalist Seyoum Tsehaye is in cell No. 10 of block A01". Reporters Without Borders. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "Eritrea: Suspected Detention Centers". Amnesty International. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "World's biggest prison for journalists eight years after September 2001 round-ups". Refworld. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ a b Isaak, Esayas. "EU governments must support Eritrea's prisoners of conscience". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ a b c "Dawit Isaak held in 'harsh' Eritrean jail". The Local. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Report says three journalists died in prison camp in northeastern desert". Reporters Without Borders. 14 November 2006. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "Ten Long Years - A Briefing on Eritrea's Missing Political Prisoners". Human Rights Watch. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "Three journalists held since 2001 die in Eiraeiro prison camp". Reporters Without Borders. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
- ^ "Prominent journalist arrested, ex-prison guard reveals fate of other detained journalists". Refworld. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
- ^ a b c "Human Rights Watch Submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Eritrea". Human Rights Watch. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ a b Kenyon, Paul (January 11, 2018). Dictatorland: The Men Who Stole Africa. London, UK: Head of Zeus. p. 419. ISBN 9781784972141.
- ^ "2016 prison census - Eritrea: Said Abdelkader". Refworld. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2019.