Introduction and Historical Context
Eritrea, since independence in 1991, has never held free and fair elections. Political pluralism is absent, and power remains concentrated in the hands of President Isaias Afwerki and his ruling party, the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Opposition voices—whether from within government, civil society, or the general public—are systematically silenced through intimidation, imprisonment, and enforced disappearance.

The early years of independence saw hope for a democratic transition, with the promise of a new constitution and political openness. However, those hopes were quickly dashed as the government consolidated power, closed political space, and suppressed dissent. Today, Eritrea is regarded as one of the most authoritarian regimes in the world.


Mechanisms of Political Repression
The absence of independent institutions ensures that opposition voices have no formal platform. The ratified 1997 constitution, which enshrined democratic rights, has never been implemented. Political parties other than the PFDJ are banned, leaving no legal avenue for alternative political representation.

Opposition groups, whether operating inside Eritrea or in exile, face harsh repression. Inside the country, suspected sympathisers are arrested, often without trial, and detained in secret prisons. Abroad, Eritrean dissidents are harassed by transnational networks, including intimidation of diaspora communities through the so‑called “diaspora tax.”

Freedom of expression is equally suppressed. Independent newspapers were shut down in 2001, and journalists who criticised the government were imprisoned. Civic organisations are either banned or tightly controlled by the state.


The G‑15 and the Silencing of Reformers
One of the starkest examples of Eritrea’s crackdown on opposition came in September 2001, when a group of senior government officials—later known as the “G‑15”—publicly called for democratic reforms and implementation of the constitution. In response, the government arrested eleven of these officials. More than twenty years later, their whereabouts remain unknown, and they are presumed to be held incommunicado in harsh conditions.

At the same time, the government closed all independent newspapers and detained journalists, effectively extinguishing both political and media pluralism. This marked a turning point where Eritrea cemented its status as a one‑party, authoritarian state.

The fate of the G‑15 serves as a stark warning to others: even high‑ranking insiders are not immune from repression if they attempt to challenge the status quo.


Impact on Society and International Standing
The silencing of opposition has grave consequences for Eritrean society. Without open debate or accountability, policies such as indefinite national service continue unchecked, harming generations of citizens. Civil society remains paralysed, with no space for grassroots movements or human rights advocacy.

Fear permeates daily life. Ordinary Eritreans are reluctant to voice even mild criticism, knowing that surveillance is widespread and repercussions can be severe. This climate of fear contributes to the steady exodus of citizens, particularly the young, who see no possibility for change within the country.

Internationally, Eritrea’s record has led to condemnation by the United Nations, the African Union, and human rights organisations. Yet, the government dismisses such criticism as foreign interference and resists external pressure. Its isolation deepens, leaving citizens trapped between authoritarian repression at home and limited opportunities abroad.

Accountability, Reform, and Conclusion
Eritrea’s authoritarian rule, characterised by the silencing of opposition voices, represents a fundamental violation of international human rights norms, including the rights to free expression, association, and political participation.

Meaningful reform would require:
- Release of political prisoners: including the G‑15 reformers and detained journalists.
- Implementation of the 1997 constitution: establishing the rule of law, elections, and political pluralism.
- Opening civic space: allowing independent media, NGOs, and political parties to operate freely.
- International engagement: targeted sanctions against perpetrators, combined with support for Eritrean civil society in exile, to maintain pressure for reform.

Until such reforms take place, Eritreans remain voiceless under one of the most authoritarian regimes in the world. The courage of those who continue to speak out—whether from prison, exile, or through quiet acts of resistance—keeps alive the hope that one day opposition voices will be heard again.