Eritrea: Information on the treatment of ethnic minorities in Eritrea
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ERT17407.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Eritrea: Information on the treatment of ethnic minorities in Eritrea, 1 June 1994, ERT17407.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac1490.html [accessed 22 May 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. |
Information on the above topic is contained in the attached Response to Information Request ETH11310 of 27 July 1992. Following its accession to independence on 24 May 1991, the government of Eritrea reportedly expelled non-Eritreans, including 200,000 Ethiopians who were transported across the border into Tigrey (Africa Research Bulletin 1-30 Apr. 1993, 10961). According to Arabies, Eritrea is composed of nine ethnic groups: the Tigrinya, Tigray, Saho, Afar, Bilen, Beja, Nara, Baza and Rachaida (Nov. 1993, 24). Power is reportedly decentralized and the country is divided into ten autonomous regions: Sahel, Barka, Gash-Setit, Sanhit, Asmara, Hamassaine, Akly-Kozaie, Seraie, Samhar and Dankily, governed by regional assemblies under the direction of a governor appointed by the central government (ibid., 23). The source noted that in theory, this model of government is functioning satisfactorily (ibid.). For additional information on this topic, please see the attached article from Arabies.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible infomation currently available to the DIRB 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
Africa Research Bulletin [London]. 1-30 April 1993. Vol. 30, No. 4. "Eritrea, Independence At Last."
Arabies [Paris]. "Erythrée: A la Charnière de la paix régionale."
Immigration and Refugee Board (IRBDC), Ottawa. 27 July 1992. Response to Information Request ETH11310.
Attachments
Africa Research Bulletin [London]. 1-30 April 1993. Vol. 30, No. 4. "Eritrea, Independence At Last."
Arabies [Paris]. "Erythrée: A la Charnière de la paix régionale."
Immigration and Refugee Board (IRBDC), Ottawa. 27 July 1992. Response to Information Request ETH11310.
