Financial Crime World

Human Trafficking in Eritrea: A Complex Issue

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Eritrea has made some efforts to combat human trafficking, but the country still faces numerous challenges that hinder its ability to effectively address this issue.

Key Concerns:

  • Lack of Independent Institutions
  • Weak Law-Enforcement Capacities
  • Human Rights Violations
  • Economic and Financial Environment
  • Lack of Civil Society Support
  • Restrictions on Press Freedom and Assembly

1. Lack of Independent Institutions

Eritrea has no independent judiciary, national assembly, or other democratic institutions, creating an environment where human rights violations and impunity persist.

  • No independent judiciary to ensure fair trials and uphold the rule of law.
  • National assembly lacks oversight powers, allowing the government to operate with little accountability.
  • Lack of transparency and accountability in decision-making processes.

2. Weak Law-Enforcement Capacities

Eritrea has weak law-enforcement capacities, and corruption and bribery are common.

  • No independent police oversight body to investigate allegations of misconduct.
  • Specialized law-enforcement unit not available to combat organized crime.
  • Corrupt practices widespread among law enforcement officials.

3. Human Rights Violations

The government controls the country’s borders through enforcing a ‘shoot to kill’ policy for unauthorized entry or attempts to flee the country.

  • Evidence suggests that the government controls and profits from people smuggling, as well as goods.
  • No efforts made to identify, protect, or support victims of trafficking.

4. Economic and Financial Environment

Eritrea is reportedly at a high risk of money laundering due to its cash-based, largely informal economy.

  • State currency not fully convertible, opening up vulnerabilities to illicit financial services.
  • Banks under state control, lacking transparency in operations.

5. Lack of Civil Society Support

No proactive victim identification mechanisms are in place, and foreign victims have no alternatives to being deported to their home countries in the instances where they face punishment.

  • No government efforts made to support or identify victims of trafficking.
  • NGOs prohibited from operating in Eritrea, limiting capacity for addressing human trafficking.

6. Restrictions on Press Freedom and Assembly

Eritrea has a clear dictatorship where media have no rights.

  • Independent media outlets closed down in 2001, restricting freedom of expression.
  • Authorities show no regard for the freedom of assembly, further limiting civil society’s ability to address human trafficking.

Recommendations

To effectively combat human trafficking, Eritrea needs to strengthen its capacities to address these challenges and improve its economic and financial environment. This includes:

  • Establishing independent institutions to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
  • Strengthening law-enforcement capacities to combat corruption and organized crime.
  • Protecting human rights and improving the economic and financial environment to reduce vulnerabilities to money laundering.
  • Supporting civil society through proactive victim identification mechanisms and empowering NGOs to operate effectively.