Eritrean women in North African detention centres

A decade after the Lampedusa migrant shipwreck, which claimed the lives of over 360 Eritreans, not only are migrants vilified and portrayed as invaders but cruelty is used to deter displaced individuals from seeking safety. Across North African countries, overcrowded detention centres have become nothing but torture centres where people are subjected to inhumane conditions. This has been facilitated directly and indirectly by migration deals between European leaders and North African countries.

Eritrean women displaced in countries such as Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt and Libya have been exposed to various forms of violence, both before and during their journey to safety. The mass exodus of Eritrean youth, including Eritrean women, is due to the indefinite national service and the repressive dictatorship of Isaias Afeworki. 

This session highlighted the gender-based violence to which African women and girls are exposed in detention centres; how they have been failed by international organisations such as UNCHR; and the effects of the current wave of right-wing policies being passed across the EU together with the anti-Black racist discourse of politicians in North African countries.

Speaker

Niat Hailemariam has been a member of the Network of Eritrean Women, an organisation that advocates for Eritrean women and girls, for almost ten years. She is interested in researching political violence, health and gender equity.