Financial Crime World

Eritrea’s Vulnerability to Organized Crime: Key Challenges

Lack of Democratic Institutions and Impunity

Eritrea’s 25-year history has been marked by a climate of impunity regarding crimes against humanity. The country’s lack of an independent judiciary and democratic institutions has created an environment where human rights abuses can thrive.

  • Dependent Judiciary: The judiciary in Eritrea is heavily influenced by the executive branch, with instances of interference reported.
  • No Specialized Units: There are no specialized units within the judiciary to address organized crime.

Harsh Prison Conditions and Weak Law Enforcement

Prison conditions in Eritrea are harsh and overcrowded. Detainees are often held incommunicado for extended periods without charge or trial, while corruption and bribery remain widespread among law enforcement officials.

  • Harsh Prison Conditions: Overcrowding and poor living conditions are prevalent in Eritrean prisons.
  • Weak Law Enforcement Capacity: The country’s law enforcement capacity is weak, with corruption and bribery contributing to the issue.

Border Control and Human Rights Abuses

Eritrea has a policy of ‘shoot to kill’ for unauthorized border crossings, but evidence suggests that the government profits from illicit smuggling. There has been no progress on demarcating the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia, while human rights abuses continue unabated.

  • Shoot to Kill Policy: The government’s approach to unauthorized border crossings is a significant concern.
  • No Progress on Border Demarcation: The lack of progress on demarcating the border with Ethiopia contributes to ongoing tensions.
  • Human Rights Abuses: Eritrea has a poor human rights record, including arbitrary arrests and persecution.

Support Mechanisms for Victims

The government fails to provide support mechanisms for victims and witnesses of organized crime. There is also no systematic effort to identify, protect, and support trafficking victims.

  • Lack of Victim Support: The government does not have adequate measures in place to support victims of organized crime.
  • No Mechanism for Referring Trafficking Victims: The country lacks a system to identify and protect trafficking victims.