Petition Regarding the Appointment of Ms. Sofia Tesfamariam as Vice President of UNICEF’s Board

To UNICEF,

Dear Integrity Department,  

I am writing to express deep concern regarding the recent appointment of Eritrea’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Ms. Sofia Tesfamariam, as Vice President of UNICEF’s Board. This decision not only appears to be in conflict with UNICEF’s core mission of protecting and advocating for children’s rights but also threatens to undermine the organization’s global credibility and effectiveness.  

Ms. Tesfamariam is certainly a controversial choice. She is perhaps best remembered by Eritreans for notorious remarks she is reported to have made after the tragic deaths of over 360 children and young people in Lampedusa, who drowned in the Mediterranean in October 2013. Instead of joining the grieving, she is said to have rejected suggestions that they were fleeing conscription into indefinite national service. Rather, she is alleged to have dismissed the victims as “rich kids with a lot of money from the cities of Eritrea.”

As President Isaias Afwerki’s choice as Ambassador to the UN, Ms. Tesfamariam has represented his regime’s policies, no matter how brutal. These have left Eritreans without democracy, justice, and trapped in poverty and despair. None of this is reflected in the glowing biography published by the UN’s Children’s Agency.

I am writing this petition as a concerned global citizen and advocate for human rights, particularly the rights and well-being of children. It is with a heavy heart that I express my deep concern regarding the recent appointment of Ms. Sofia Tesfamariam as Vice President of UNICEF’s Board.

Ms. Tesfamariam’s position as Eritrea’s Ambassador to the United Nations and her public alignment with the policies of the Eritrean regime raises serious questions about her ability to uphold the principles and mission of UNICEF. For years, Eritrea has been internationally condemned for its egregious human rights violations. Reports from the United Nations, including findings by the UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea, detail crimes against humanity committed by the Eritrean government. These include systemic repression, forced child labour, modern-day slavery, and the exploitation of children—practices that are fundamentally opposed to UNICEF’s core mission of protecting children’s rights.

Ms. Tesfamariam’s silence on these atrocities, and in some instances, her public defence of the regime’s actions, is deeply troubling. Her apparent support for a government that perpetuates severe human rights abuses, including the use of child labour and the creation of conditions leading to malnutrition and suffering among Eritrean children, undermines the values and objectives that UNICEF represents.

UNICEF has long been a beacon of hope and a champion for the rights and welfare of children worldwide. The credibility and integrity of this esteemed organization must be preserved. Appointing an individual whose affiliations and history conflict with UNICEF’s principles risks compromising its global standing and its ability to advocate effectively for children.

We, the Eritrean community, respectfully urge UNICEF to:

1- Reconsider the appointment of Ms. Sofia Tesfamariam as Vice President of the Board, given her alignment with a regime accused of committing crimes against humanity.
Conduct a thorough review of her qualifications and history of human rights advocacy (or lack thereof), ensuring that all leadership within UNICEF aligns unequivocally with its mission to safeguard children’s rights.

2- Take proactive steps to ensure that future appointments reflect UNICEF’s core values, prioritizing individuals with proven records of defending and promoting human rights, particularly those related to children.

3- UNICEF’s work is too important to be compromised by potential conflicts of interest or affiliations that may erode trust in its leadership. We have profound respect and admiration for UNICEF’s global impact, and it is out of this respect that we implore you to act decisively in this matter.

By addressing this issue, UNICEF will reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the protection and promotion of children’s rights and ensure that its leadership remains beyond reproach.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Marymagdalene Asefaw
Eritrean Journalist and Human Rights Activist

DESTA MEDIA