Eritrea/Ethiopia: Whether Ethiopians of mixed or Eritrean origin can return to Ethiopia or Eritrea since the signing of the OAU-brokered (Organisation of African Unity) peace agreement
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 22 September 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ETH35051.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Eritrea/Ethiopia: Whether Ethiopians of mixed or Eritrean origin can return to Ethiopia or Eritrea since the signing of the OAU-brokered (Organisation of African Unity) peace agreement, 22 September 2000, ETH35051.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be2f8.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
On 18 June 2000, the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia signed an Organisation of African Unity (OAU)-brokered peace agreement in Algiers, Algeria, designed to end the two-year border war between their countries (AI 7 July 2000; AFP 19 June 2000; The Independent 19 June 2000; Norwegian Refugee Council n.d.). Under the 15-point plan,
the Agreement commits the parties to an immediate cessation of hostilities and stipulates that, starting from the signature of the Agreement, all air and land attacks are to cease. The parties have also reaffirmed their acceptance of the OAU Framework Agreement and the modalities for its implementation (ibid.).
Nonetheless, according to Amnesty International at least 7,500 Ethiopian nationals resident in Eritrea remained in "internment camps" and were restricted and prevented from leaving (7 July 2000). Amnesty International also noted that 3,500 Ethiopians who were displaced by the war, and who were interned in camps in Eritrea, were "allowed to return voluntarily from Eritrea to Ethiopia under the auspices of the ICRC" (International Council of the Red Cross). However, others were still detained "on account of not having valid residence visas, and some reportedly suspected of having committed a security offence in connection with the Ethiopian attacks" (ibid.). Amnesty International has also called for an investigation into the alleged killings and ill-treatment of Ethiopians in Eritrea "when the new war broke out" because of their suspected support for Ethiopian advance into Eritrea (ibid.). In the same vein, AI expressed concern over the fate of 1,200 Eritrean civilians who continued to be detained or interned without charge or trial under harsh conditions in Dedessa camp, western Ethiopia on account of the 1998 war (ibid.).
According to the United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), since July 2000 both Ethiopia and Eritrea have been trading accusations of deporting each other's nationals (18 Aug. 2000; ibid., 14 Aug. 2000; ibid., 3 July 2000).
In August 2000, "the Ethiopian government accused the Eritrean government of undermining the peace accord reached in Algiers in June. It said that the conditions of deportation of 20,000 Ethiopian citizens from Eritrea were vengeful, and warned that it will take action in retaliation for the 'forced and dangerous expulsions' of Ethiopians" (ibid., 18 Aug. 2000; ibid., 14 Aug. 2000).
A driver at the Eritrean embassy in Addis Ababa was reportedly arrested by Ethiopian security personnel on 10 August 2000, in breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (ibid.). According to Eritrean Radio, 603 Eritreans who were expelled from Ethiopia in July had arrived in Molki, south-west Eritrea. The Eritreans had reportedly been "dispossessed of their property and more than 5,000 head of livestock" (3 July 2000).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 19 June 2000. Anthony Morland. "Ethiopia-Eritrea Accord But a Small Step in Long Peace Process." (NEXIS)
Amnesty International (AI). 7 July 2000. "Ethiopia: Cease-Fire and Human Rights." (NEXIS)
The Independent [London]. Abdelmalek Touati. "Eritrea and Ethiopia Sign Deal to End Two Years' War." (NEXIS)
Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). 18 August 2000. "Ethiopia: Deportations 'Undermining the Peace Process.'"
_____. 14 August 2000. "Eritrea Complains Over Arrest."
_____. 14 August 2000. "Ethiopia-Eritrea: Ethiopia Warns of 'Grave Consequences' Over Expulsions."
_____. 3 July 2000. "Ethiopia-Eritrea: Mutual Accusations of Deportations Continue."
[Accessed: 18 Sept. 2000]
Norwegian Refugee Council. n.d. "Major Offensive by Ethiopia Starting on 12 May 2000 Ends as The Two Countries Sign Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities on 18 June 2000."
