US says human rights worsened, prominent detainee reportedly freed

The Eritrean government's "poor" human rights record worsened last year and it continued to commit "serious abuses", according to the US State Department's latest report on the situation in the country. "Arbitrary arrests and detentions continued to be problems," it said, noting that an unknown number of people were detained without charge and some were held incommunicado. Eleven top government officials and liberation war veterans, part of a group known as the G-15 who were rounded up for criticising the government in 2001, were still under arrest and their whereabouts were unknown, said the report which covered events in 2002. It added that in the course of last year, relatives of the G-15 were arbitrarily arrested, as were a number of diplomats who were recalled from their posts. "At least four of these detainees, in addition to many detained in previous years, remained in prison without charges at the year's end," it stated. The report also noted that government informers were present throughout the country and there were reports that telephone calls and e-mails were being monitored. It said power was concentrated among a small group of former liberation fighters, and multiparty elections had not been held since the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) swept to power nearly 12 years ago. The only authorised party was the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). However, in a move described by regional analysts as "encouraging", the authorities on Wednesday reportedly released prominent EPLF veteran Ermias Debessai (Papayo), who had been held since 1997. Announcing the news, the opposition Awate website recalled that Ermias - Eritrea's ambassador to China at the time - had been "summoned to Eritrea by President Isayas [Afewerki] and jailed under dubious circumstances". In 2001, he was tried by Eritrea's Special Court and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for "embezzlement". "His release is encouraging and, hopefully, a sign of things to come," regional observers told IRIN. The move comes as the European Commission last week announced development assistance to Eritrea worth 88 million euros, and a further 8.8 million euros for "unforeseen interventions". The European Union has been a strong critic of Eritrea's human rights record. Commissioner Poul Nielson, who visited the country which is reeling from a devastating drought, said the aid was not based on political considerations but "solely on objectively assessed needs". He also told a news conference in Asmara that President Isayas had "expressed Eritrea's willingness to engage in political dialogue with the EU".