Eritreans ’fleeing conscription drive’ for Ethiopia – UNHCR

Eritrea’s army fought a border with Ethiopia more than a decade ago

A Renewed conscription drive in Eritrea HAS suffered to a Sharp Increase in the number of youths fleeing to neighboring Ethiopia, a UN refugee agency spokeswoman HAS Told the BBC.

More than 6,000 Eritreans had CLAIMED asylum in Ethiopia in the past 37 days, double the rate seen in previous months, Karin de Gruijl said.

There HAS overpriced’ve been a rise in the number of Eritreans Reaching Italy.

Eritrea says conscription is needed Because Of tension with Ethiopia.

About 100,000 people died in the 1998-2000 border war between the two Countries.

Eritrea Became independent after breaking away from Ethiopia.

The refugees, most of Whom were between 18 and 24 years old, reported an ”intensification” of Efforts to conscript theminto the army, Ms. De Gruijl Told the BBC’s Newsday programmers.

”We knowthat officially domestic services are for about four and a half years but quite thwart they’re open-ended,” she said.

”This intensification of recruitment HAS sparked fear Among Young People in this age group who do not want to’ll have this perspective of Not Knowing How Long They willhave to serve.”