urgent prayers for Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt.

Forcible Deportations
On Wednesday 11 June Egypt began the forcible deportation of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers held in several prisons across the country.  That night a specially chartered Egypt Air flight carrying 200 desperate refugees left Egypt for Eritrea. Three Egypt Air flights were scheduled for Thursday 12 June, when more Eritreans are known to have been deported. Two more flights, each containing 100 refugees departed for Eritrea on 13 and 14 June.  Around 90 Eritreans may have been deported on 15 June, and several more were sent back on 16 June. The deportations, which are in violation of Egypt's obligations under international law, went ahead in spite of a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) non-return advisory for Eritreans who flee their country. 

The deported Eritreans were part of a group of around 1,600 refugees who have been detained for several months in Egyptian prisons, where conditions are unsatisfactory and food scarce. Men, women and children were held in cramped, poorly ventilated cells without access to sunlight or fresh air, except during toilet breaks. When they asked to be let out briefly for sunlight, they were informed that "Christians do not deserve sunlight or fresh air", even though some of the detainees are Muslims. The Eritreans have also been beaten regularly, and male and female detainees were often subjected to sexual harassment and rape.  In a further contravention of international law, the Eritreans were initially denied access to the services of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and a number of them were deported despite having obtained UNHCR recognition while in Sudan.  Sadly, they had fled Sudan because they no longer felt safe there.

The deportees will almost certainly face indefinite imprisonment and torture upon return to Eritrea.  Some may even face extra-judicial execution.  Refugees deported from Malta in 2002 faced imprisonment, torture and extra-judicial executions. Asylum seekers deported this year from Sweden and Germany seem to have also disappeared into Eritrea's extensive prison system, probably to face a similar fate.  Given what awaits them, it is not surprising that many refugees were crying, begging their captors to allow them to stay.  One is reported to have said: "I don't want to live if I have to go back to Eritrea. I know what is waiting for me there".

On 15 June the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its readiness to allow UNHCR visits to Eritreans imprisoned in the Hurghada and Aswan areas. However, at 10 pm that same evening, members of the Egyptian security forces descended on Hurghada 1st police station, where 130 Eritreans were being held. One hundred and ten detainees, including around 30 women, were removed from the prison in an extremely forceful manner. Their hands were tied roughly behind their backs; then each one was marched by an assigned officer into a vehicle and taken to an unknown destination. 20 male detainees, who were initially left behind in the police station, are now known to have been forcibly returned to Massawa in Eritrea during the evening of 16 June.

Border Shootings
In addition to returning refugees and asylum seekers, the Egyptian authorities are now shooting those attempting to cross the border into Israel.  So far twelve people have been shot dead at the border this year, including two Eritrean women.

Egypt's International Obligations
Egypt is a party to the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the United Nations Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees.  Egypt is also party to the UN Convention Against Torture and the African Refugee Charter.  By returning refugees to a country where they are likely to face severe mistreatment, the Egyptian authorities have contravened the international legal principle of non-refoulement.  Despite being in full knowledge of Eritrea's appalling human rights record, they have returned many of these unfortunate people to almost certain death. 

Please pray:

• for a change of heart on the part of the Egyptian authorities and a revoking of this appalling policy decision to forcibly repatriate Eritreans.

• for an end to the shooting of refugees and asylum seekers who attempt the crossing into Israel.

• for those who have been returned, that God would encourage them and deliver them from severe mistreatment.  Pray particularly for a softening of the hearts of prison guards in Eritrea.

• for those facing imminent deportation, that God would be with them with His comfort and protection.

• that key members of the international community will continue to make strong representations to the Egyptian authorities in order to ensure that such violations do not become standard practice.

• that the refugees still in Egypt receive the protection and provision that should be given to them under international law.

• for an end to political and religious repression in Eritrea, and for God to bring justice, peace, healing and reconciliation to the nation.

• Finally, that as World Refugee Day approaches (20 June), refugees and asylum seekers everywhere would know God's peace, comfort, protection and provision.

Protest!

Please write polite letters to the Egyptian Ambassador expressing concern at the deportation, imprisonment and mistreatment of people who are merely seeking refuge from repression.  Remind him of Egypt's undertakings under international laws governing torture and the treatment of refugees.  Express your additional concern at the shootings on the border with Israel and urge him to use his good offices to ensure his government reviews and revokes both policies as a matter of urgency.

The address of the Egyptian Ambassador in the UK is:

His Excellency Mr Gehad Madi
Egyptian Ambassador to the United Kingdom
Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
26 South Street
London W1K 1DW
Fax: 020 7491 1542

Thank you for your continuing prayer and concern for the Eritrean people.