UN Criticizes Eritreans Deportations From Egypt

Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - Egypt is facing much criticism over the deportation of hundreds of Eritrean asylum seekers over the past week. The United Nations has urged Cairo to cease all deportations for the time being in order to assess the human rights situation.

However, Egypt has continued its policy of forced removal from the country, with some reports saying that as many 600 have been expelled and another 600 are expected to be deported in the coming days.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has expressed alarm at the massive expulsions and urged Egypt to stop deporting asylum seekers from Eritrea, saying they could face great risks in their home country.

"People who could well be at risk in their home country should never be sent back before their asylum claims have been properly addressed," Arbour said in a statement released earlier in Geneva.

"Egypt should respect its international obligations not to send home anyone who could face torture or other serious forms of ill treatment, as may well be the case with those who have apparently been deported in recent days."

The UN commissioner did welcome Egypt's decision last Sunday to allow the UN refugee agency to access the Eritrean asylum seekers in order to determine if they have legitimate refugee claims.

1,503 Eritreans are currently registered with the UN in Egypt as refugees and asylum seekers, although most activists argue the number should be much higher.