Source: 4 July 2025, UN rights council rejects Eritrea’s bid to end human rights investigation

Human Rights Watch says Asmara’s move was an effort to distract from independent reporting on the ‘country’s dire rights record’.

Hundreds of Eritreans demonstrate in front of the African Union headquarters in support of the UN Inquiry report and asking for measures to be taken against Eritrea on June 26, 2015 in Addis Ababa. [File: Nichole Sobecki/AFP] — Hundreds of Eritreans demonstrate in front of the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia, in support of a UN Inquiry report and asking for measures to be taken against Eritrea, in 2015 [File: Nichole Sobecki/AFP]

Published On 4 Jul 20254 Jul 2025

The United Nations Human Rights Council has rejected Eritrea’s attempt to shut down an independent investigation into alleged rights abuses, in a move hailed as vital to preventing impunity.

Eritrea’s rare bid to scrap the mandate of the UN special rapporteur on its human rights record was defeated on Friday, with only four votes in favour, 25 against, and 18 abstentions.