Eritrea: A High-Risk Country for Organized Crime
Overview
Eritrea is considered a high-risk country for organized crime due to its authoritarian government, lack of transparency, and limited law enforcement capacities. The absence of independent institutions such as the judiciary, national assembly, and democratic governance contributes to an environment where human rights violations and impunity persist.
Weak Criminal Justice System
- Harsh prison conditions: Eritrea’s prisons are notorious for their harsh conditions, including severe overcrowding.
- Lack of specialized units: There are no specialized units for countering organized crime, making it difficult to effectively address the issue.
- Corruption and bribery: Corruption and bribery are common in Eritrea’s law enforcement agencies.
Government’s Role in Organized Crime
- “Shoot to kill” policy: The government has a policy of shooting individuals who attempt to enter or escape from the country unauthorized.
- Profiting from people smuggling and narcotics trafficking: The government is involved in and profits from these activities, despite its stated stance against them.
Economic Vulnerabilities
- Informal economy: Eritrea’s economy is largely informal and cash-based, making it vulnerable to money laundering.
- Limited cooperation with international financial institutions: State cooperation with organizations like the IMF and World Bank is insufficient.
- 12-year arms embargo: Eritrea has a 12-year arms embargo in place due to its human rights record.
Challenges for Civil Society
- Limited social protection: There are no proactive mechanisms for identifying victims or standardized instruments for referring trafficking victims to care.
- Restricted freedom of assembly and expression: The government has restricted the freedom of citizens to assemble and express themselves.
- Restrictions on foreign human rights organizations: Foreign human rights organizations are not permitted to operate within Eritrea.