Mahmoud, the Home Secretary of Britain, has threatened that if Eritrea does not agree to accept a larger number of migrants who have entered Britain by small boats, as well as foreign criminals, he will ban the entry of all Eritrean citizens to Britain.
Diplomatic Restrictions on Eritrea
From today, the movement of Eritrean diplomats outside London will be restricted, and the issuance of immediate visas for senior officials will also be halted. British government ministers have previously pressured other countries to accept returned nationals by threatening to ban visa issuance.
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According to statistics from the House of Commons Library, in the 12 months leading up to June, Eritrean citizens were the largest nationality group among migrants who entered Britain by small boats, constituting 18% of all individuals who entered the country.
Challenges of Immigration and Asylum
The Home Secretary of Britain stated: "Eritrea has had many opportunities to accept the return of criminals and individuals who do not have the right to stay in Britain. Unlike other countries, this country has refused to accept them."
The British government has accused Eritrean officials of abruptly cutting off their cooperation earlier this year. Under the new restrictions, Eritrean diplomats are not allowed to travel more than 60 kilometers from London without permission.
Madeleine Sampson, director of the Migration Monitoring section at the University of Oxford, has pointed out that targeting Eritrea will not have much impact. She stated that most Eritreans who come to Britain and seek asylum are essentially not deportable.
Many young Eritreans are trying to leave this country, which has a one-party military regime, to escape compulsory military service. Eritrea has not held any elections since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993, and there is no independent media in the country.
The Home Office of Britain also announced last November that it is prepared to stop issuing visas for countries that "do not cooperate in returning their citizens." Despite the threats, experts believe that banning visa issuance for some countries may have broader consequences.
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