ICERAS

Eritrean refugees currently number over 679,000 globally, driven out by indefinite military conscription and severe state repression. Many face dire conditions in neighboring nations, with thousands arriving in Ethiopia monthly, while thousands more attempt perilous trans-Mediterranean journeys. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Key Host Countries and Regional Crises

• Sudan: Sudan hosts a large population of Eritrean refugees, many of whom have faced escalating abuses, sexual violence, and extortion amid the ongoing internal conflict. [1, 2]
• Ethiopia: As one of the largest host nations, Ethiopia continues to see monthly influxes of Eritreans crossing borders to escape the regime. However, security forces have arbitrarily detained and deported refugees in areas like Addis Ababa. [1, 2, 3]
• Egypt: Recent crackdowns and mass arrests in Cairo have put thousands of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers at severe risk of forced deportation. [1]
• European Union: Germany is home to one of the largest Eritrean refugee populations globally, alongside arrivals in Switzerland and other parts of Europe. [1, 2]

Global Protection and Asylum Updates

• UNHCR: Due to the severe human rights situation remaining unchanged, the UNHCR updated its guidance, continuing to call on all countries to guarantee the right to asylum for civilians fleeing Eritrea. [1]
• Switzerland: Switzerland previously ended development aid to Eritrea following the Eritrean government’s refusal to accept forcibly deported asylum seekers. [1, 2] Source AI