Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Eritrea (Ratification: 2000)

Article 25 of the Convention. Penal sanctions for exaction of forced labour. The Committee previously took note of various provisions of the Eritrean Transitional Penal Code of 1957 (sections 565, 570, 605), which is still in force, as well as of the Penal Code of 2015 (sections 297, 299, 315), relating to the sale and trafficking of persons. It observed that it was unclear from the wording of these provisions whether they cover cases of trafficking of male persons for sexual exploitation, and cases of transnational trafficking (for both labour and sexual exploitation). Additionally, the Committee requested information on their application in practice.

The Committee notes with regret the absence of information in this regard in the Government’s report. The Committee once again requests the Government to:

• clarify whether the criminal legislation cases of national and transnational trafficking in persons (both men and women) for labour or sexual exploitation are prohibited and, if so, under which provisions;
• indicate the measures taken to provide training and to strengthen the capacities of law enforcement bodies to detect, investigate and prosecute cases of forced labour, including trafficking in persons;
• provide information on the application in practice of sections 565, 570 and 605 of the Transitional Penal Code and sections 297, 299 and 315 of the Penal Code of 2015.