Eritrea’s Troubling Track Record on Organized Crime

A recent report has shed light on the significant challenges posed by organized crime in Eritrea, a country notorious for its human rights abuses and authoritarian rule.

The Problem

The report highlights the involvement of state-embedded actors, including police and military personnel, in trafficking activities along the Sudanese border. Additionally, transnational networks of Eritrean smugglers have been operating on routes towards Europe, often targeting individuals from the same communities as those being trafficked.

Key Findings

• Rashaida traffickers, who have received assistance from Eritreans, operate along the Eritrea-Sudan border and allegedly kidnap and hold individuals for ransom in the Sinai peninsula or Libya.
• Despite a lack of notable mafia groups within the country, the state’s criminalization has allowed few foreign criminal actors to operate in Eritrea.

Government Response

Eritrea is an authoritarian state controlled by President Isaias Afwerki, who heads the sole political party, the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). The government has been criticized for its lack of transparency and has violated the human rights of its citizens with impunity.

International Cooperation

Eritrea has a number of international treaties relevant to anti-organized crime, but efforts to strengthen governance and combat trafficking have been hindered by the government’s reluctance to engage with external entities. Despite this, Eritrea has made some progress in building partnerships and strengthening its capacities to counter human trafficking.

Challenges Ahead

• The country still faces significant challenges in terms of criminal justice and economic environment.
• The informal economy and widespread use of illicit financial services create vulnerabilities to money laundering.
• State cooperation with international organizations is insufficient, and the UN, European Union, and United States have placed a 12-year arms embargo on Eritrea due to concerns over its human rights record.

Lack of Support for Victims

The report also highlights the lack of government efforts to identify, protect, or support victims of trafficking. The country’s repressive environment for civil society and social protection is also a major concern.

Repressive Environment

• Journalists are imprisoned.
• Non-governmental organizations are banned from operating.
• Foreign human rights organizations are not permitted to function within the country.

Note

This article is a summary of a report funded in part by the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.