Africa-Press – Eritrea. Statement Delivered by Mr. Habtom Zerai, Chargé d’affaires at the Permanent Mission of Eritrea to the United Nations in reply to Ethiopia’s Explanation of the Vote before the Vote during the Presentation of Resolution A/HRC/59/L.7. Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea
Ethiopia’s diatribe that alludes to “an extraordinary situation” and accuses Eritrea of posing a threat to “its sovereignty, national security, human rights, and humanitarian obligations,” is duplicitous in substance and stands in stark contrast to its own past actions and statements. This inconsistency unfortunately insults the memory and collective intelligence of the Council.
Allow me to remind the Council of certain pertinent facts:
Exactly one year ago, Ethiopia urged for the immediate termination of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, asserting that it obstructed constructive dialogue and cooperation.
For nearly 20 years, successive Ethiopian regimes illegally occupied sovereign Eritrean territories in flagrant violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the EEBC’s final and binding decision. The 2018 Peace Declaration was in fact signed only after the current Ethiopian regime pledged and agreed to adhere to international law and implement fully the EEBC decision.
When Ethiopia stood on the precipice of utter State collapse four years ago, Eritrea supported it unreservedly for reasons of regional stability as well as its own imperatives of self-defense. That historical reality cannot be distorted, diminished or disregarded now for contemporary political expediency.
As we speak Eritrean forces remain strictly within their internationally recognized borders. Claims to the contrary are false and maliciously designed to ignite and rationalize conflict.
Over the past two years, Ethiopia has openly and repeatedly expressed its intention to seize Eritrean ports, “legally, if possible, and militarily if necessary.” The recent rhetoric about “human rights” and “national security” are attempts to cover-up this overtly unlawful and irredentist ambition whose variants also threaten Somalia and Djibouti.
Indeed, Ethiopia’s macabre drumbeats form part of a broader destabilizing agenda, marked by explicit threats, illicit arms buildup, and subversive regional activities that undermine regional peace and security.
Mr. President, we call on this Council to see this transparent charade for what it is: a calculate, desperate, campaign to scapegoat Eritrea, to divert international and domestic attention from their own spiraling, self-inflicted crises—deepening political fragmentation, widespread civil unrest, and erosion of its legitimacy.
Thank you.
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