OHCHR: Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva - The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) deployed a technical mission to Eritrea from the 21-24 January, according to OHCHR spokesperson Cécile Pouilly.
Pouilly told capitaleritrea news that the technical mission aimed at exchanging views and exploring the possibilities of future cooperation with Asmara.
The delegation held meetings with Yemane Ghebreab, Head of Political Affairs, PFDJ, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries and national associations, as well as UN colleagues and the diplomatic community.
During a field trip to Keren, the delegation also visited joined Government/UN development projects, including in the areas of health, water, food and education.
During the visit the delegation also called on the Government of Eritrea to grant access to the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea - Ms. Sheila B. Keetharuth (Mauritius), which the Government rejected.
The Rapporteur was appointed in October 2012 as the first Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. She will submit her second report to the 26th session of the Human Rights Council, in June 2014.
The delegation informed the Government at the end of the mission that further engagement would depend on the Government allowing access to all Eritreans across the country, including all detainees in all places of detention, as well as the Military Training Centre in Sawa.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) represents the world’s commitment to universal ideals of human dignity.
As part of the United Nation, it has a unique mandate from the international community to promote and protect all human rights.
The agency was established by the UN General Assembly on 20 December 1993 in the wake of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights.
