Information concerning the treatment of Eritrean Liberation Front - Revolutionary Council (ELF-RC) members and supporters by security forces in Eritrea was, and continues to be, scarce as noted in ERT20418.EX of March 1996. The situation is made more complex by the proliferation of Eritrean Liberation Front groups (listed in ERT20418.EX). As the few human rights reports that exist rarely specify the exact political affiliations of prisoners and victims of human rights violations it is difficult to ascertain the extent to which ELF-RC members and supporters are affected. For example, Country Reports 1996, 1997 and 1998 all make reference to unconfirmed reports of detained ELF members, without specifying the precise ELF group in question.

Amnesty International's Report 1996 states that:

There were no moves to bring to trial any political detainees, most held since 1991. These included former members of the Ethiopian security forces and civilian administration in Eritrea, and members of the Eritrean Liberation Front-Revolutionary Council (ELF-RC) armed force which had fought until 1991 against both the former Ethiopian Government and the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (in power since 1991) (1997).

In 1997Amnesty International reported that:

During the year scores of political prisoners were detained without charge or trial. There were reports of arrests of suspected government opponents linked to the Eritrean Islamic Jihad group and the different Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) groups. Several Sudanese nationals were detained on suspicion of passing information to the Sudanese authorities about a Sudanese opposition organization operating from Eritrea. Over 100 political detainees, including possible prisoners of conscience, were believed to be held without charge or trial, many incommunicado and some since 1991 when the EPLF came to power (Annual Report, 1997 1998).

Amnesty International in Report 1998 alleges similar circumstances.

ELF-RC is one of 10 opposition groups that combined to form "The Alliance of Eritrean National Forces" (AENF) on 6 March 1999 under the overall leadership of Abdullah Idriss (BBC Online 7 Mar. 1999; AENF 3 Apr. 1999).

No additional or more current information concerning treatment of Eritrean Liberation Front - Revolutionary Council (ELF-RC) members and supporters by security forces in Eritrea could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Alliance of Eritrean National Forces (AENF). 3 April 1999. "The Eritrean Political Opposition." [Internet] http://home.erols.com/meskerem/alliance_of_the_eritrean_nationa.htm [Accessed 7 Apr. 1999]

Amnesty International. 1998. Report 1998. "Eritrea."

_____. 1997. Report 1997. "Eritrea." (REFWORLD)

_____. 1996. Report 1996. "Eritrea." (REFWORLD)

BBC Online. 7 March 1999. "Eritrea Opposition Forms Alliance." [Internet] http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_292000/292216.stm [Accessed 8 Apr. 1999]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998. 1999. Washington, DC: US Department of State.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997. 1998. Washington, DC: US Department of State.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996. 1997. Washington, DC: US Department of State.

Africa Confidential. [London]. Weekly. 1996-1999.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political Series [London]. Monthly. 1996-1998.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. Bimonthly. (1996-1999)

Indian Ocean Newsletter. [Paris]. Weekly. (1996-1999)

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, REFWORLD, WNC.