Eritrea’s Vulnerability to Organized Crime: Key Challenges

Corruption and bribery widespread: Eritrea’s law enforcement capacity remains weak, with reported instances of corruption and bribery compromising the effectiveness of its institutions.

Lack of independent judiciary: The absence of an independent judiciary and democratic institutions in Eritrea has created a climate of impunity regarding crimes against humanity over the past 25 years.
Harsh prison conditions: Prison conditions are harsh, severely overcrowded, and prisoners, including children and former members of the government and their families, are routinely held incommunicado for indefinite periods without charge or trial.

Informal cash-based economy: Eritrea’s informal, cash-based economy makes it vulnerable to money laundering.
Limited regulatory structures: The country has limited regulatory structures, underground remittances, and prevalent use of money and value transfer services such as hawala.

Enacted anti-money laundering laws: Despite enacting anti-money laundering laws, establishing a financial intelligence unit, and endorsing anti-money laundering/countering financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) policies.
No reports submitted: Eritrea has not submitted any reports on its AML/CFT endeavours.

Absent civil rights: Civil rights and freedom of expression and assembly are absent in Eritrea.
Human rights violations: Human rights are routinely violated, and civil society organizations such as NGOs, labour unions, and organized interest groups are prohibited.

Lack of victim support mechanisms: The lack of victim and witness support mechanisms in Eritrea is an ongoing problem, with the government failing to take any measures to identify and support victims and witnesses of organized crime.

Proximity to terrorist and criminal organizations: Eritrea’s proximity to regions where terrorist and criminal organizations operate makes it more vulnerable to corruption.