, external<\/span><\/a>, according to figures from the House of Commons Library.<\/p>\nThe Eritrean embassy in London has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n
“Eritrea has had every chance to accept the return of criminals and those with no right to be in the UK. Unlike other countries, it has refused,” said Mahmood.<\/p>\n
She said she would not hesitate “to impose further measures on other countries refusing to co-operate”.<\/p>\n
The UK government accused the Eritrean authorities of “abruptly” withdrawing co-operation earlier this year.<\/p>\n
The restrictions mean diplomats are banned from travelling 60km outside London without permission. <\/p>\n
The Home Office said this mirrored restrictions on British officials in Eritrea’s capital Asmara.<\/p>\n
In the 12 months to June only seven people from Eritrea were returned there from the UK, according to Home Office figures. A further 244 Eritreans were returned to other countries.<\/p>\n
Over the same period, more than 5,800 Eritreans arrived in the UK via small boats. A further 1,300 were given visas, mostly to join people already settled in the UK.<\/p>\n
Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said targeting Eritrea would have little impact.<\/p>\n
“Eritrea is one of the major countries of origin for asylum seekers coming to the UK – we had roughly 7,000 asylum applications in the last year of data, roughly 8% of the total,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.<\/p>\n
“Most Eritreans who come and claim asylum are not removable at all – the government would never be in negotiations to remove them because 84% are successful at initial decision; more will be successful on appeal.”<\/p>\n
She added that about 1,400 people were initially refused asylum, but that this number would reduce after appeals.<\/p>\n
Many young Eritreans try to leave the country – which is a one-party state – to avoid military conscription, which can last for decades.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n