{"id":540,"date":"2014-03-26T12:04:15","date_gmt":"2014-03-26T12:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rstp.fantomdesign.net\/?page_id=540"},"modified":"2018-11-09T08:19:55","modified_gmt":"2018-11-09T13:19:55","slug":"eritrea","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rstp.ca\/en\/refugees\/country-condition-information\/eritrea\/","title":{"rendered":"Eritrea"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>OVERVIEW of Eritrea<\/a> | Humanitarian crisis<\/a> | Persecuted populations<\/a> | Country of asylum<\/a> | Cultural profiles<\/a> | Multi-media<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>OVERVIEW of Eritrea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Capital:<\/strong><\/td>\nAsmara<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Area:<\/strong><\/td>\n121,320 km\u00b2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Population:<\/strong><\/td>\n4,786,994 (2006 estimate)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Language(s):<\/strong><\/td>\nAfar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Religion(s):<\/strong><\/td>\nMuslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ethnic Group(s):<\/strong><\/td>\nTigrinya – 50%, Tigre and Kunama – 40%, Afar – 4%, Saho – 3%, others 3%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

See, <\/strong>https:\/\/www.international.gc.ca\/cil-cai\/country_insights-apercus_pays\/overview-apercu_er.aspx?lang=eng<\/a><\/strong> [accessed March 15, 2018].<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/a>Humanitarian crisis<\/h2>\n

Following Eritrea\u2019s independence from Ethiopia in 1993, the People\u2019s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) remained the sole political party in control. Ongoing border disputes with Ethiopia and Djibouti have been used by the Eritrean government to justify the limitations imposed on human rights and civil liberties. Systematic and rampant violations of human rights by security forces have carried on without government intervention.<\/p>\n

Reports on Eritrea\u2019s humanitarian condition reveal pervasive patterns of abuse. Humanitarian abuses in recent years include: unlawful killings by security forces; torture and beating of prisoners, at times resulting in death; abuse of national service evaders and their family members; arbitrary arrest and detention; life-threatening prison conditions; limitations on due process; limitations on citizens\u2019 right to change their government; and infringement of privacy rights. The government also placed heavy-handed restrictions on freedoms of speech, press, movement, religion, assembly and association. Restrictions were also placed on activities of NGOs, humanitarian and development agencies.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Persecuted populations<\/h2>\n

Military\/National Service Evaders and Deserters<\/strong><\/p>\n