Eritrean ambassador says country safe to receive deportees
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Published: MAY 24, 2012 17:11
Eritrea's ambassador to Israel Tesfamariam Tekeste on Thursday denied allegations that his country would kill illegal infiltrators were Israel to deport them back to Eritrea.
Nonprofit organizations working with the African migrant community have contended that Israel could not legally deport thousands of African refugees, asylum seekers and infiltrators as long as it is still party to an international convention on refugee rights.
Speaking to Israel Radio, Tekeste said that there is no truth to allegations made by human rights organizations that his country shoots citizens who try to dodge military service, which is mandatory in Eritrea for up to 20 years.