Why did lengthy national service lead many Eritreans to flee the country?

The government of Eritrea implemented a program of conscription into national service that required citizens to serve for lengthy, indefinite periods. This practice became a primary driver for mass emigration, as many Eritreans chose to undertake dangerous journeys to flee the country to escape what was widely compared to enslavement.1

The state of national service was deeply tied to the country's political climate. President Isaias Afwerki justified these draconian practices by citing the unresolved border conflict with Ethiopia. Under this regime, the government faced severe international criticism, with the United Nations Human Rights Council accusing the leadership of committing human rights violations, including torture, rape, and murder, some of which were classified as crimes against humanity.1

The systematic violation of personal rights and the lack of political freedom, combined with the indefinite nature of military service, created an environment that forced many citizens to seek refuge elsewhere.1