Eritrea

Eritrea

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	The first assertion of the right to freedom of association in Eritrea is in the Constitution ratified on May 23, 1997. The right is located in Chapter 1, Article 19 (“Eritrea 1997 Constitution”, 1997). “Eritrea 1997 Constitution.” 1997. Constitute. May 23. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Eritrea_1997?lang=en.
Freedom of Expression	History	The 1997 constitution of Eritrea brought with it freedom of expression.
Freedom of Religion	History	The earliest document that assures freedom of religion in Eritrea is Proclamation No. 73/1995 of 1995. It “calls for separation of religion and state; outlines the parameters to which religious organizations must adhere, including concerning foreign relations and social activities; establishes an Office of Religious Affairs; and requires religious groups to register with the government or cease activities” (U.S. Department of State 2019. 3). Though freedom of religion is present in the draft constitution of Eritrea, it has not been ratified since its introduction in 1997. U.S. Department of State 2019. “ERITREA 2019 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT” https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ERITREA-2019-INTERNATIONAL-
Freedom of the Press	History	Article 19 of the 1997 Constitution protects press freedom: “Every person shall have the freedom of speech and expression, including freedom of the press and other media” (Constitute Project, “Eritrea's Constitution of 1997” ).
Privacy Rights	History	In its history, Eritrea has only had one constitution and it protects the right to privacy in Article 18. Specific privacies are not mentioned but it is an overarching declaration of the protection of the right: “Every person shall have the right to privacy” (Constitute Project, “Eritrea 1997” ). https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Eritrea_ 1997? lang=en
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	Eritrea is a militarized authoritarian state and there has not been a national election since the independence from Ethiopia in 1993 (Freedom House, “Eritrea”).