Eritrea’s future is literally “walking away” in the form of young refugees fleeing the country.

That’s the view of Sheila Keetharuth, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea.

She said that thousands of young people often walk for days in a “desperate bid” to reach the border and avoid years-long forced-conscription into the army.

The UN expert, appointed by the Human Rights Council, urged the international community not to turn its back on the refugee for what she termed, “short term political gain”.

She described institutional reform, which would ensure “rule of law” as the country’s highest priority.

Ms Keetharuth spoke to Agnese Pastorino about her report.

Duration: 6’10”