Where are Eritrea’s missing political prisoners?
Focus on Africa

Where are Eritrea’s missing political prisoners?

B2Upper-intermediateOctober 2, 202622 min
  • Interview
  • Politics

Twenty-five years ago, a group of senior Eritrean politicians known as the G-15 called for democratic reform. Eleven were arrested and accused of treason. They have never been put on trial, and their families still do not know where they are. Human rights groups, including the UN, consider the G-15, prisoners of conscience and have been calling for their release. Among the detained was former defence and foreign minister, Petros Solomon. Two years later, his wife, Asther Yohannes, was also arrested. Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, has been speaking to their daughter, Hanna Petros...

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I'm Unkechi Obonna with Focus on Africa, The Conversation.

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0:00

Hello there! I'm Unkechi Obonna with Focus on Africa, The Conversation. Before we begin, I want to give you a quick reminder that we also filmed this episode and it will be available on the BBC Africa YouTube channel from Saturday 3rd October

0:21

at 3pm GMT. Now, in 2001, 15 senior Eritrean politicians known as the G15 called for democratic reform. Eleven were arrested and disappeared without a trace. Among them was former defence and Foreign Affairs Minister, Petros Salomon.

0:43

Two years later, his wife, Asta Johannes, was also detained. Today we hear from their daughter, Hannah, who is still searching for answers. We haven't been told any reason of why our parents have been detained. And they haven't been in a trial either for us to know what their crimes were, or

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