Eritrea

13/08/1998
Eritrea became an independent state on 24 May 1993, following a UN-supervised referendum in which a 99.8 percent majority voted for independence from Ethiopia. In 1991 the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) had defeated the Ethiopian armed forces after a thirty-year war and had since been in control of the Eritrean territory. The EPLF, which in the past had split from the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF), formed a government and renamed itself the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). The 95,000 strong EPLF armed forces were reduced to 47,000 by 1996. [12]

1 Conscription

conscription exists

In 1991 the provisional government of Eritrea introduced compulsory national service, including military service (Decree no. 11/1991 of 6 November 1991). [1] [2]

However, until May 1994, the 1991 decree was not implemented. [2] [3]

After officially achieving independence from Ethiopia in 1993, the 1991 Decree was initially revised (Decree 71/1995), but later replaced with the 23 October 1995 Decree on national service. [6] [8] [11]

military service

All men and women aged 18 to 40 are liable for national service. [1] [3] [6] [9]

National service lasts for 18 months: a six-month military training and a twelve-month service involving development tasks, reconstruction work, and work in the agricultural sector. Although the twelve-month service involves non-military tasks, it takes place within the armed forces and is run by the Ministry of Defence. [2] [3] [6] [9]

According to two other sources, national service lasts for 2 years, including the six-months military training. [11] [13]

postponement and exemption

The 1991 decree allowed postponement to the recently married for the period of their pre-stated honeymoon. It is not known whether these provisions still exist under the 1995 Decree. [1]

Postponement is also possible for pregnant women and sole breadwinners. [9]

According to the 1991 decree, those medically unfit were exempted. Exemption was further possible for businessmen, industrial and farm workers, self-employed women, women working in the home, women raising children, and women in employment, except in bars, nightclubs and hotels. It is not known whether these provisions still exist under the 1995 Decree. [1]

Former combatant members of the EPLF are exempted too. [3]

Those unfit for military training are screened by a board and must perform their eighteen-month national service, in line with their professional abilities, in any public or governmental institution. [6]

recruitment

Until May 1994, there were no call-ups. In May 1994, it was announced that in a first round of recruitment, 10,000 youths who were registered in 1991 in the Asmara province would be called up. In practice women, students and those working in a vital capacity in governmental and non-governmental institutions were exempted. [2]

At the same time it was reported that many 'voluntary' conscripts had almost completed their eighteen-month national service without having received any military training. Instead of allowing them to perform the missing six-month military training, the President decided they must start again with the entire eighteen-month period. [3]

2 Conscientious objection

legal right

There is no legal provision for conscientious objection. [11]

practice

Jehovah's Witnesses are reported to refuse to perform the compulsory national service. This resulted in a October 1994 government directive that Jehovah's Witnesses had no citizen's rights. They are denied government employment, government housing, business licenses and passports. [10] [11] [12]

During the thirty year civil war many Jehovah's Witnesses were COs and refused to take part in the war. [5]

3 Draft evasion and desertion

penalties

According to the 1991 decree, failing to perform national service is punishable by two years' imprisonment and/or a 3,000 birr fine. [1]

The same penalty is prescribed for helping someone to avoid national service, or self-mutilation in order to avoid national service. [1]

practice

Completion of national service is required for those who want to travel abroad. [9]

It is likely that those who want to travel abroad will have their national service situation checked.

A government proclamation of May 1996 forbids all private and non-governmental organisations to employ individuals who have not completed national service. [12]

4 Recruitment by armed insurgent groups

Eritrea has some small armed opposition groups. About their recruitment methods not much is known.

Apparently, rebels belonging to a Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) faction in the Danakil region try to prevent young men performing national military service. In 1995 it was reported that ELF rebels came into conflict with government officials over young men refusing to perform national military service, leading to two deaths on the side of the government. [7]

Furthermore the Eritrean government has accused Sudan of recruiting and training more than 700 of the Eritrean Islamic Jihad, after clashes between islamic militants and government forces in December 1994. The islamic opposition is reported to be recruiting among Eritrean refugee camps in Sudan. [4]

6 Annual statistics

The armed forces of Eritrea are 46,000 strong - 1.2 percent of the population. [13]

Every year approximately 75,000 men and women reach conscription age. [13]

Sources

[1] 'Eritrea: National service introduced', in: The Indian Ocean Newsletter, Paris, 16 November 1991. [2] BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 17 May 1994. [3] 'Eritrea: The president and national service', in: The Indian Ocean Newsletter, Paris, 28 May 1994. [4] The Indian Ocean Newsletter nos. 649, 650 & 651, 3 - 10 - 17 December 1994. [5] The Guardian, 23 May 1995. [6] BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 3 November 1995. [7] The Indian Ocean Newsletter, Paris, 30 September 1995. [8] The Indian Ocean Newsletter, Paris, 11 November 1995. [9] IRBDC 1995. IRBDC, 27 December 1995. [10] US Department of State 1996. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. Washington DC. [11] Amnesty International 1997. Amnesty International Report 1996. AI, London, UK. [12] US Department of State 1997. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996. Washington DC. [13] Institute for Strategic Studies 1997. Military Balance 1997/98. ISS, London, UK.

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