Eritrea: A High-Risk Country for Organized Crime

Government Corruption and Lack of Transparency

Eritrea is considered a high-risk country for organized crime due to its authoritarian government, limited capacity to combat trafficking, and lack of transparency. The state itself is highly criminalized, with no independent judiciary or democratic institutions.

• Corruption and Bribery: Common in Eritrea, with the security services operating with impunity.
• Lack of Enforcement: Laws against organized crime, including human trafficking, are not enforced.

Weak Law-Enforcement Capacities

There is no independent judiciary or specialized units to counter organized crime. Prison conditions are harsh, and law-enforcement capacities are weak.

• No Independent Police Oversight Body: Eritrea lacks a specialized law-enforcement unit.
• Prison Conditions: Harsh and lacking in transparency.

Economic Risks

Eritrea’s economy is largely informal, with a cash-based system that increases the risk of money laundering. The state controls all banks, and specific references to money laundering are not apparent in Eritrean laws or proclamations.

• Informal Economy: Eritrea’s economy is largely based on cash transactions.
• Money Laundering: A significant risk due to the informal nature of the economy.

Vulnerable Victims

There is no evidence of government efforts to identify, protect, or support victims of trafficking. Foreign victims have no alternatives to being deported to their home countries if they face punishment.

• Lack of Support: No government programs in place to support victims of trafficking.
• Deportation: Foreign victims may be deported back to their home countries.