A number of Eritrean civil society organizations and activists have sent a letter to the representatives of the European Development Fund (EDF) committee, urging them to postpone the approval of the Eritrean Country Strategy Paper (CSP) which is scheduled to be discussed this Wednesday 25 March. The CSP outlines the European Commission's strategy and budget for Eritrea for the period of 2008-2013 but has not yet been approved due to the critical situation in Eritrea.

The letter expresses the "deep frustration" of the Eritrean Diaspora communities at the EU's plans to provide €122 million development aid to the repressive Eritrean government. It stresses that, with no working constitution, functioning parliament, independent judiciary or free press, the government cannot be expected to administer the funds in a responsible or accountable manner.

It goes on to recommend that the EU attach stringent conditions on any aid to Eritrea, including on the release of the regime's estimated 20,000 political and religious prisoners, the abolishment of the government's repressive youth conscription scheme, the implementation of the 1997 Eritrean Constitution, guarantees on respect for human rights and the rule of law, and the scheduling of general elections.

Source:

• Eritrean diaspora network