Eritrea’s Lack of Internal Reform Continues to Undermine Democracy

Despite the tumultuous relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia, which have often been used as an excuse to delay elections, the country’s political landscape remains stagnant. The COVID-19 pandemic has had no impact on this situation, with Eritrea’s authoritarian regime continuing to suppress democratic processes.

Lack of Constitution

Eritrea has yet to implement a constitution, leaving it without a framework for democratic governance. This lack of constitutional foundation is a major obstacle to the country’s democratization process.

Restrictions on Association and Assembly Rights

• Citizens are denied any form of association and assembly rights.
• Independent civic groups are prohibited, and the ruling PFDJ party is the only allowed political entity.
• Even gatherings of religious groups are strictly prohibited, with private gatherings such as funerals and wedding ceremonies also subject to strict restrictions.

Freedom of Expression Under Siege

• The press is completely banned in Eritrea.
• Reporters Without Borders ranks the country 178th out of 180 countries for press freedom.
• Independent journalists have been jailed, and state media are strictly controlled by the Ministry of Information.
• Even individual expressions of opinion are being criminalized.

Lack of Separation of Powers

• Eritrea has no implemented constitution, leaving it without a separation of powers.
• The president handpicks cabinet members, who have limited decision-making power.
• The legislative, executive, and judicial branches are all controlled by the president, who rules by decree.

Weak Judiciary

• The formal judiciary is poorly organized and dependent on the government.
• The Supreme Court has been defunct since 2002.
• Informal customary juridical institutions have become the backbone of legal practice in civil matters and to some extent in criminal cases.

Corruption Remains Widespread

• Corruption is still rampant in Eritrea’s civil administration and military.
• High-ranking officers engage in illegal activities such as smuggling and human trafficking.

Conclusion

The lack of internal reform in Eritrea continues to undermine democracy, with the country’s citizens facing severe restrictions on their rights and freedoms. The international community must continue to pressure Eritrea’s government to implement democratic reforms and protect its citizens’ basic human rights.