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Country Profile for ERITREA |
Risk Rating |
General Information |
Country Map |
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Red (High Risk)
InTouch advice:
Most parts of the country are dangerous. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Amber (Moderate Risk) InTouch advice: Some parts of the country are dangerous. Travel with caution. Green (Low Risk) InTouch advice: Most parts of the country are safe. Travel freely. |
Capital: Asmara Major Languages: Arabic, Tigrinya, English Currency: Nakfa Timezone: GMT +3:00 |
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Overview
Overview
Eritrea is a relatively young country, only gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993. Relations between the two countries have been tense and in 1998 a border dispute led to a war which claimed around 100,000 lives. Further conflict between the two cannot be ruled out in the short-medium term.
There are a number of regional security problems which are of concern to Eritrea, such as the security situation in neighbouring Somalia and Sudan. Eritrea also has a strained relationship with another of its neighbours, Djibouti. As a result all non-essential travel to the border regions with Ethiopia, Djibouti and Sudan should be avoided wherever possible. Furthermore, travel outside the capital Asmara is restricted without a special permit.
Due to a lack of government control in rural parts of Eritrea the risk of kidnapping is moderate. Otherwise crime levels in the country are relatively low, particularly in Asmara and other urban centres. Standard precautions should be undertaken to minimise the threat posed by pick-pockets and muggers.
Alerts
Alert for Eritrea
Amnesty accuse government of mass human rights violations - 9 May 2013:
An Amnesty International report has accused the Eritrean government of banning political opposition, quashing independent media and targeting minorities. The right group also said that at least 10,000 people have been arrested for criticizing the government since President Isaias Afewerki came to power 20 years ago.
Order restored following failed coup - 22 January 2013:
Order has been restored to the Eritrean capital Asmara following Monday's failed coup attempt. According to reports from within the country the attempt was quashed by government forces.
Soldiers carry out suspected military coup - 21 January 2013:
A group of around 100 soldiers are suspected of attempting a military coup in the Eritrean capital, Asmara. State TV has been taken off air and the ministry of information has been surrounded.
Ethiopian troops attack Eritrea rebels - 16 March 2012:
Ethiopian troops have carried out military operations against rebel bases inside neighbouring Eritrea. It is the first attack by Ethiopian troops inside Eritrea since the end of the 1998-2000 war.
Data
Eritrea Data Sheet
Population: 6 million
Major Religion/s: : Islam, Christianity
International dialling code: +291
International dialling prefix: 00
Emergency services: Local numbers
Drives: Right
Voltage: 230V
Climate: Varies from temperate at altitude to tropical in the lowlands
Other Major Cities: Massawa, Assab
Borders: Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia
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Journalists Under Attack
Journalists Under Attack
- 21 Jan 2013 Eritrean troops lay siege to information ministry
- 04 Sep 2012 THREE JOURNALISTS HELD SINCE 2001 DIE IN EIRAEIRO PRISON CAMP
- 17 Nov 2011 Jailed Eritrean-Swedish journalist reported dead
- 27 Oct 2011 Detained Eritrean journalist faces possible forced repatriation
- 27 Oct 2011 Dawit Isaak 'may be dead': report
Media Safety
Media Safety
- 21 Jan 2013 Eritrean troops lay siege to information ministry
By Aaron Maasho (Reuters) - A group of Eritrean soldiers laid siege to the information ... - 04 Sep 2012 THREE JOURNALISTS HELD SINCE 2001 DIE IN EIRAEIRO PRISON CAMP
After several weeks of investigating reports from sources in Eritrea and from prison guards ... - 17 Nov 2011 Jailed Eritrean-Swedish journalist reported dead
Activist and journalist Dawit Isaak has reportedly died in an Eritrean prison, according to ... - 27 Oct 2011 Detained Eritrean journalist faces possible forced repatriation
Reporters Without Borders expresses its profound concern after the arrest on 24 October of ... - 27 Oct 2011 Dawit Isaak 'may be dead': report
Swedish-Eritrean journalist Dawit Isaak, who has been imprisoned in Eritrea since 2001, has been ...