Eritrea’s Vulnerability to Organized Crime: Key Challenges

Weak Judicial System Contributes to Impunity

• Eritrea’s judiciary is poorly organized and dependent on the government, creating a culture of impunity for crimes against humanity.
• This lack of independence from the government undermines efforts to combat organized crime effectively.

Limited Capacity to Combat Organized Crime

• There are no specialized units within the judiciary focused on countering organized crime, making it challenging to address this issue.
• The absence of dedicated resources and expertise hampers law enforcement agencies’ ability to tackle organized crime.

Corruption and Bribery Weaken Law Enforcement

• Widespread corruption and bribery within law enforcement agencies undermine their capacity to combat organized crime.
• This undermines public trust in the justice system and creates an environment conducive to organized crime.

Harsh Prison Conditions Contribute to Organized Crime

• Prisoners, including children and former government officials, are often held incommunicado for indefinite periods without charge or trial.
• This can contribute to an environment where organized crime can thrive.

Lack of Victim Support Mechanisms

• The government does not have procedures in place to identify and support victims of organized crime.
• This makes it difficult for victims to come forward and seek help, exacerbating the problem.

Eritrea’s Vulnerability to Money Laundering

• Eritrea’s informal economy, limited regulatory structures, underground remittances, and use of money transfer services like hawala contribute to its vulnerability to money laundering.
• The country has enacted anti-money laundering laws and established a financial intelligence unit, but it has not submitted any reports on its AML/CFT efforts.