Egyptian authorities threaten to deport 150 Eritrean refugees 
 

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

CAIRO, EGYPT (ANS) – Egyptian authorities are to begin forced deportations of some 150 Eritrean prisoners currently held in Kanater prison in Cairo within a few days.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has received information indicating that the Eritrean detainees, who originally fled from political and religious persecution in Eritrea, are among over 1,000 Eritreans held in Egyptian prisons.

CSW says they have been denied access to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Egypt, despite being entitled to the treatment normally afforded to refugees. Their deportations are due to take place despite the fact that the UNHCR has a non-return advisory for Eritrean refugees

If deported, these prisoners will almost certainly face instant imprisonment and possible torture, CSW says.

A media release from CSW states: “Some may even face execution, as sources indicate that many are former military personnel, while others have fled Eritrea’s often harsh and open-ended military service regime.”

It adds: “London-based NGOs, Human Rights Concern-Eritrea and Amnesty International, report that Eritreans deported from Malta in 2002 faced imprisonment, torture and extra-judicial executions. Eritrean refugees recently deported from Sweden and Germany are also thought to have disappeared into Eritrea’s maze of detention centres, with similar consequences.”

Rev Stuart Windsor, CSW’s National Director, said: “It is vital that the Egyptian authorities respect the international treaties to which Egypt is party by allowing these refugees to have access to the UNHCR. In addition, if the reports of imminent forced deportations prove correct, then we also urge the Egyptian Government to reconsider this policy, as these people will almost certainly face cruel imprisonment and torture if returned.”

CSW is a human rights organization which specializes in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.