315 Ethiopians sent home under ICRC auspices

A further 315 Ethiopian nationals from Asmara and surrounding areas were repatriated on 27 July in an operation assisted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In a statement released in Asmara, the ICRC said that with the completion of the latest movement, in the past year it had facilitated the repatriation of about 36,000 Ethiopians from Eritrea and 900 Eritreans from Ethiopia.

The latest repatriation took place between the towns of Adi Kwala [southern Eritrea] and Rama [northern Ethiopia], using the newly reconstructed bridge over the Mereb river as the crossing point. A team of ICRC delegates based in Ethiopia met the group at the border and provided them with initial assistance before handing them to the care of the relevant Ethiopian authorities, according to the release. The statement noted that volunteers from the Ethiopian and Eritrean national Red Cross societies had also helped in the operation. The latest group were also expected to be interviewed at the Adwa transit camp by human rights officers recently deployed by the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), UNMEE spokespersons told journalists at the regular press briefings held simultaneously in Asmara and Addis Ababa on 27 July.

ICRC says it assists in repatriation efforts only after ascertaining that the individuals concerned are returning voluntarily. “The ICRC will continue to assist any person affected by the recent armed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea and to promote the application and respect of the rules and principles of international law,” the statement said.