HRW Warns U.S. Against Lifting Sanctions on Eritrea

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said easing the sanctions without demanding accountability for "grave violations" and "clear human rights benchmarks" would signal a tolerance for future "unchecked abuses". The rights group statement follows reports that Washington is considering a diplomatic reset with the Red Sea nation.

Eritrea's strategic importance has grown amid escalating Middle East tensions and threats from the Houthi movement in Yemen to disrupt Red Sea maritime traffic. The European Union and Canada have also explored re-engagement, primarily focused on migration management.

"Transactional diplomacy that ignores human rights abuses risks further entrenching impunity for decades of widespread violations," the HRW statement read.

InFocus

A street in Asmara, Eritrea (file photo).

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 90 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.