EMDHR CONDUCTED SESSION WORKSHOPS IN FOUR SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES

9 February 2006In furtherance of objectives of the Civic Awareness Project, the EMDHR conducted session workshops on 4-5 February 2006 in four South African cities, namely Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Pietermarizburg and Durban. The objective of the workshop was to discuss the draft manual prepared by EMDHR on the theory, practices and techniques of active non-violent struggle as seen from the Eritrean context.
The proposed title of the draft manual was: A journey to a guaranteed peace, justice and democracy. It has been developed through the participation and contribution of members of the EMDHR and many other concerned individuals from various parts of the world. The manual intends to empower the Eritrean people to overcome their fear and habit of obedience in such a way that they would be able to protest non-violently and effectively against violations of human rights by a government or any group.Bloemfontein, South AfricaThe draft manual was presented during the workshops by six members of the EMDHR who traveled from the Head Office in Pretoria to the four cities. The workshop in Cape Town was lead by Abraham Rezene and Tesfalem Tekleab, in Bloemfontain by Fanuel Mesfin and Bereket Tesfamichael and in Durban and Peitermarizburg by Samuel Bizen and Minassie Teklay. Pietermanizburg, South Africa
During the session workshop, the participants discussed about issues that resonate around the following points:• Why nonviolence? • Why do people obey to authority in large numbers although it is not in their interest?• Methods of active nonviolent action, and• Factors that a nonviolent movement should avoidAs it was intended, these workshops assisted in gathering some useful comments and ideas from Eritreans residing in South Africa; such comments and ideas will make part of the various inputs that constitute the manual and will be incorporated accordingly in the final draft of the manual. Hard copies of the Tigrigna version of the draft manual were also dispatched during the workshop to all participants. The participants agreed to further discuss among themselves about the draft manual and send their feedback to EMDHR head office. In addition, during the workshop the participants discussed about the organizational affairs of the EMDHR. These kinds of workshops will also be carried out in other cities of South Africa.
These workshops are being carried out inline with the funding agreement entered into between the EMDHR and Grassroots International for purposes of development and testing the Manual proposed by the EMDHR. The EMDHR is pleased to provide the draft manual upon request as well as accommodate any comments that may be put forward on this respect.