Eritrea - Geopolitical Constraints
Overview of Eritrea
- Location: Northeast Africa, Horn of Africa
- Government Type: Militarised authoritarian state
- Human Freedom Index (HFI): 3/100
Political Situation
- No national elections since 1993 (independence from Ethiopia)
- Only political party: People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) led by President Isaias Afwerki
- Common occurrence of random arrests
National Service
- Compulsory for both men and women, often open-ended
- Secondary school students required to complete military service
- Attempts to evade service can lead to armed response from soldiers
- Independent media banned since 2001
- Strict rules on religion; only 4 recognized faiths
- Major religions: Sunni Islam, Eritrean Orthodox Christianity, Evangelical Lutheranism, and Catholicism
- Followers of unrecognized faiths may face arrest and property confiscation
Education and Research
- Heavily regulated education system; course content censored
- Limited research opportunities; universities closed in favor of small colleges
Freedom Restrictions
- Limited freedom of speech, expression, and private discussions
- Regular blocking of social media and internet access
- Mobile phone ownership: 6% of the population
- Internet access: 1% via cafes
- Public gatherings: more than 7 people require a permit
LGBT Rights
- Same-sex relationships criminalized
- No legal protections against discrimination for LGBT+ individuals
Immigration and Exile
- Many Eritreans flee the country due to state control
- Ongoing government surveillance and harassment of exiles