By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service  

EGYPT / ERITREA (ANS) – Egypt has begun the forcible repatriation of more than 1,000 Eritrean refugees held in several prisons around the country.

A report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), says the deportations, which are in violation of Egypt’s obligations under international law, have occurred in spite of a United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR) non-return advisory for Eritrean refugees.

CSW says the deportations began on Wednesday, June 11, when a plane carrying 200 refugees is known to have left Egypt for Eritrea. Three more flights were scheduled for Thursday, June 12; however, it is as yet unclear whether these took place as planned, or how many people were forcibly removed. Another flight is scheduled for tonight.

According to CSW, the Eritreans were part of a group of around 1,500 refugees who have been held for several months in a variety of Egyptian prisons where conditions are unsatisfactory and food scarce. Men, women and children have been incarcerated without access to sunlight or fresh air, except during toilet breaks.

Eritrean Human Rights Activist Elsa Chyrum of Human Rights Concern-Eritrea reports that when they asked to be let out briefly for sunlight, the detainees were informed that Christians do not deserve sunlight, fresh air, or any kind of human treatment. The prisoners were beaten, and both male and female detainees were subjected to regular sexual harassment. In a further contravention of international law, the refugees were denied access to the services of the UNHCR.

In its report, CSW says the deportees will almost certainly face indefinite imprisonment and torture. Some may even face extra-judicial execution, as sources indicate that many are former military who have fled Eritrea’s often harsh and open-ended military service regime. Human Rights Concern-Eritrea and Amnesty International report that Eritreans deported from Malta in 2002 faced imprisonment, torture and extra-judicial executions.

In 1981 Egypt signed the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the United Nations Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. By returning refugees to a country where they are likely to face severe mistreatment, Egypt has contravened the international legal principle of non-refoulement.

Elsa Chyrum of Human Rights Concern Eritrea said: “I am so saddened. I dealt with the cases of those returned from Malta and know exactly how these people will be treated. If the Egyptian government did not want to look after these people, why did they not hand them over to the UNHCR in accordance with their international undertakings? Instead, knowing the human rights situation in Eritrea and the brutality of the government, the Egyptians are effectively sending them to death row.”

CSW National Director Stuart Windsor said: “These deportations constitute a major violation of Egypt’s undertakings under international law. We are deeply disappointed by this appalling mistreatment of vulnerable people who were merely seeking refuge from repression, and our prayers are with those who have been returned. We urge key members of the international community to make strong representations with the Egyptian authorities in order to ensure that such violations do not become standard practice, and that refugees will henceforth receive the protections that should be afforded to them under international law.”

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.