Written question asked by Jeffrey M Donaldson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 20 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 June 2007. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Monday, 25 June 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Eritrea: Religious Freedom

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Eritrean Government on the detention of Christians, including children, in that country by the Eritrean Security Forces.

Answer: The detention without charge by the Eritrean Government of members of minority religious groups, including Christians, is unacceptable and contravenes international human rights agreements to which Eritrea is a party.We make our concerns about the human rights situation in Eritrea known to the Eritrean Government whenever appropriate, including by our ambassador in Asmara, and in contacts with the Eritrean ambassador and other senior Eritrean officials in London. We will continue to remind Eritrea of its human rights obligations, including through the EU political dialogue with Eritrea. The UK is in touch with the German Presidency of the EU and our other EU partners on human rights issues in Eritrea.

Secondary information