Special Rapporteur on Eritrea says conscription and "excessive militarisation" are 'leaving Eritreans with little option' but to flee

Sheila Keetharuth, the UN Human Rights Councils Special Rapporteur on Eritrea has published a report on Eritrea in which she blames decades long conscription and "excessive militarisation" for leaving Eritreans with little option but to risk leaving, with more than 4 000 fleeing every month. In a report to the rights council, Keetharuth said rampant violations of citizens' rights in Eritrea were "triggering a constant stream of refugees". The UN refugee agency has registered more than 300 000 Eritreans refugees in neighbouring countries, she added. Her mandate has now been extended for one more year.

Sources: Sheila B. Keetharuth, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, 28 May 2013; news24, Eritrea crackdown - thousands flee, 6 June 2013.