Ethiopian “repatriation” practices questioned

Repatriation of people across the disputed border should be done with full respect for international humanitarian law and human rights, and in accordance with the terms of the Algiers Agreement, the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) has insisted. In parallel briefings to the press in Addis Ababa and Asmara on 6 July, UNMEE said there was concern over the situation of a group of people sent from Ethiopia to Eritrea on 25 June. “We note with serious concern that a recent movement of some 700 persons from Ethiopia to Eritrea across the Mereb Bridge on 25 June... was undertaken without participation of the ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross].” UNMEE said it was addressing the concerns formally to the Ethiopian government, and called on both parties to abide with the peace agreement, and the Security Council resolution, which “expressly called on parties to cooperate with the ICRC... to fulfil all their obligations under international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law”.