Financial Crime World

Crime and Security in Eritrea: Key Issues

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Climate of Impunity

Eritrea’s lack of an independent judiciary and democratic institutions has led to a climate of impunity with respect to crimes against humanity over the past 25 years. This is reflected in:

  • Arbitrary arrest and detention, which are common practices
  • The systematic violation of due process
  • Harsh prison conditions that are severely overcrowded

Border Control and Territory Disputes

Eritrea’s border control policies are strict, with a “shoot to kill” policy towards people attempting unauthorized crossings. The government has also been accused of:

  • Controlling the illicit smuggling of its own citizens and profiting from it
  • Occupying chunks of territory previously administered by the regional government of Tigray

Economic Environment: Vulnerabilities to Crime

Eritrea’s informal, cash-based economy and limited regulatory structures make it vulnerable to money laundering and related activities. Other factors contributing to this vulnerability include:

  • Underground remittances
  • The prevalent use of money and value transfer services
  • The non-convertibility of the nakfa in international markets

Civil Society and Social Protection: Failures and Abuses

The government has failed to take measures to identify and support victims and witnesses of organized crime. Eritrean officials have been accused of committing serious human rights abuses against Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia, including:

  • Harassment
  • Indiscriminate arrests
  • Killings
  • Rape

Additionally, civil rights, freedom of expression, and assembly are absent, and human rights are routinely violated.

Other Issues: Cybercrime and AML/CFT Efforts

Eritrea’s low internet penetration makes it vulnerable to cyber-dependent crime. The government has not submitted any reports on its anti-money laundering/countering financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) endeavors despite enacting anti-money laundering laws. However, Eritrea is a member of the Eastern and South Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group but has not been identified as having strategic AML/CFT deficiencies.