Do PFDJians mean what they say ! Read throughly and you will find that what is said is not true!
Public Dialogue: Human Rights in Eritrea (PART II & Final)Translated from Tigrinya by Dr. Gebre Hiwet Tesfagiorgis, Jun 6, 2006
Question. Let us shift from the general, so far under discussion, to the specific issues. At the moment, the main topic happens to be the issue of religious rights. Continuously spreading are reports alleging that outside of the main religions, all other faiths are banned; in particularly, adherents of Jehova Witnesses and Pentecostals are being oppressed and jailed. What is the policy; and how about its implementation?
Br/General Abraha Kassa. There is the allegation that the right to religion is not respected in Eritrea. America has listed Eritrea among eight countries of concern (Eritrea, Sudan, Burma, Saudi Arabia, Iran, North Korea, China and Vietnam). And America has singled out Eritrea for banning the sale of any military equipment from America. Setting aside the question of whether or not we buy military equipment, what is the link between religion and military equipment? What we believe in, and our ways, are known. The experience and history we have on this issue are exemplary. This population has accepted Christianity, especially Coptic, starting from the 4th Century. Islam was introduced in the 7th Century. And after the mid 19th Century, Protestantism and Catholicism were introduced. These four religions have for more than 100 years coexisted in peace, harmony and mutual respect. People who believe in freedom of religion, tolerance and mutual respect, as the people of Eritrea do, are in fact rare. The good aspect is that the values taught by churches and mosques and the values cultivated by the government of Eritrea are similar. And the government is working through the department of religious affairs to strengthen the relationships between the government and the religious establishments.There are some faiths that have been introduced from Europe and America, especially from America, after the Second World War. They have multiplied after 1998, and have reached nearly 20 now. All of these faiths are funded from outside, are instruments of foreign interests, and have been found working to disrupt the Eritrean society, and weaken Eritrean nationalism. They were given a notice in 2002 to suspend their religious activities until a comprehensive study is conducted. However, they secretly continued their activities, being funded by outsiders, in violation of this notice. And we were obliged to take action in the interest of our national security. Even now, they are still using them to disrupt our unity and weaken our national spirit. And we are taking action. There is no truth to the allegation that 1,900, or sometimes 2,000, have been detained. It is all exaggeration. Most of the youth we detain are national service dodgers. The number is exaggerated because, those detained for failure to report to Sawa [the national service training center] or those detained trying to escape from service are often reported as ‘detained for their belief.’ The number of those detained due to violation of the notice or actual commitment of crime is very small. This is the truth, and we should not be surprised if those who failed to succeed in disrupting our system try to smear our name in the name of religion. There are none detained on account of their religion, except violators of guidelines and laws.
Ato Yemane Gebremeskel. As wedi Kassa [son of Kassa, reference to Br/General Abraha Kassa] has discussed this in detailed, what I am going to address is related to the questions: Who is behind the issue [of religion]? And what have we attempted with them? The initiator of these issues is the American Foreign Relations, especially the Office of Religious Affairs. The actions they took in the last three years include: One, they expelled us in 2003 from what is known as AGOA [African Growth and Opportunity Act], which accords favorable trade terms to agricultural products from Africa. The second country expelled was Swaziland. There is a big difference between Eritrea and Swaziland when it comes to administration and political rights. Later, they denied us the right of credit transfer activities -- which we have been utilizing since the liberation struggle -- under the pretext of post-September 11 regulations, in violation of the Vienna Convention. They broke into our Embassy office and confiscated money amounting to approximately one million dollars. On the border issue, as we constantly remind them to take action on Ethiopia, for violating a binding decision and basic human rights, in their capacity as a member of the Security Council and guarantor of the Algiers Agreement, they take these actions to put us in a bind. There are also some that say, “In order for us to take a stand on the border issue, why don’t you do something in your internal affairs?” Regardless of the type of government in Eritrea, does the Charter of the Unite Nations allow the occupation of Eritrean land by another country? And why apply double standard when it comes to Eritrea? All these bring us to using religious issues as a pretext. The Office of Religious Affairs of America had sent a delegate two years ago that met with religious groups and government officials. The reasons for the actions we took, that in Eritrea both Muslims and Christians face no obstacle in practicing their faith, and that they coexist tolerating and respecting each other, were all explained to them. Is the introduction of foreign-funded new religions because the population has no religion? And if allowed, why should it not be done legally? The issue of religion is being raised because it is their agenda. As they are not fulfilling their obligation to take action under the law, they are raising religious issues to exert pressure on us.
Professor Asmerom Legesse. The actions taken by America are amazing. It is important to ask why though. America views religious right above everything else. And the reason is that many of the people who migrated from the various European countries and settled in America did so due to religious oppression. Even then, they should not have resorted to exaggerated reactions.
The other question that comes to mind: Have all these new religions that are now being closed committed crimes? And have all their members committed crimes? The issue must be examined case by case. Those who committed crimes should be identified and made legally accountable and punished, but it should not be indiscriminately. Some of the religions described as new, like the Seventh Day Adventist Mission, are age old rather than new.
Br/General Abraha Kassa. When viewed in relation to the four big religions in our country, [the ones described as new] are religions that expanded especially after the Second World War. They have not all been subjected to the same treatment; and they have not been told that they are closed. As some questionable activities have been discovered, they were told to suspend their activities until a study is conducted. Some of them, however, were secretly conducting their activities, being financed from outside, and still continue to do so. And action is being taken on those violating laws and regulations.
Ato Yemane Gebremeskel. It was stated that Americans view religious right in relation to their historical experience. However, America is also a country that struggled for self-determination against British colonial oppression. And self-determination is one of the corner stones of American policy. As I previously mentioned, when they came here, we posed: “Why do you view issues in isolation? The suffering of people resulting from the lack of border demarcation is more severe than the exaggerated issues of religion. And how do you view this?” Their response was that what concerns them was religious issues only.For our own sake, and because we believe in rights, it is good to examine our activities. As we understand why they exert pressure on some, while they show leniency on others, we should not speculate about what we should or should not have done. If everyone implicitly and explicitly goes against us, however, it seems to me, it is appropriate to ask the question, what comes next?
Question. The extension of the national service, and the participation of armed forces in development, described as “uncompensated labor,” are also listed among the violations of human rights in Eritrea. Related to those, the actions taken on dodgers and their parents, and denial of freedom of movements also are mentioned. How do you view these issues?
Ms. Fawzia Hashim. First, we have to consider the situation in which we find ourselves. Our situation is such that, on the one hand, we strive to secure our sovereignty, and on the other, we conduct productive activities to exist as human beings. What placed us in this situation is the failure of timely implementation of the border decision reached on the basis of the Algiers Agreement. There is no such a thing as forced or unforced labor. We know our responsibility to our youth. We also know what colonial systems did, before independence, to weaken the spirit of our youth in work, education and other areas. The campaign about which we hear now has a similar purpose. Thus, it is our responsibility to produce healthy, responsible, hard working and educated citizens.In our present war situation, to say that the youth should be confined to the war front, with arms in hand, divorced from production, is not right. Under the given situation, what is the problem if the youth combines both, working for its own and the people’s benefits? Those who claim to be sympathizers and advocates, if they are truly concerned, why don’t they work towards effecting the agreement of which they are guarantors so that rule of law is respected? What we give priority to is the national question. And the question of national survival is a question of right. We are working to ensure that the youth works for the interest of its country and people, in unity and strength, and to ultimately become the beneficiary of the country’s resources. There is more peace in Eritrea than in any of our neighboring countries. With all the challenges we face, thanks to our efforts to become self-sufficient, no Eritrean is dying of hunger. However, this does not mean that there are no shortcomings. Other than problems created by our current situation, we do not have problems that are deliberately committed. The question of democracy is also often raised. What kind of democracy though? At any rate, in the past years, we conducted a referendum [for independence], we drafted a constitution through a commission. In addition, we drafted laws, albeit interrupted by the Woyane invasion. Even then, undaunted by the current situation, we are striving to expand a democratic system. This includes self-administration of villages, the establishment of regional (Zoba) assemblies, etc. In short, struggling for survival, to strive to improve one’s living conditions should not be linked to human rights.
Br/General Abraha Kassa. The National Service was proclaimed in 1995, long before the starting of the war [of 1998]. The basic belief, the objective, was to raise productive citizens, to accelerate development projects, to cultivate a generation capable of defending the country, and in the main, to make the burden of national defense and of national development the responsibility of the whole society. Thus, every citizen must complete the national service. The proclamation states that a citizen that reaches age 18 has an obligation to fulfill a national service for 18 months, which can be extended if situations warrant. Accordingly, those who served in the first to fourth rounds were released. The Woyane invasion occurred one month before the release time of the fifth round participants. The extension of national service was thus dictated by the situation. In addition, the proclamation contains a provision to the effect that any citizen, until the attainment of age of 50, can be considered as a potential member of the armed forces. This means, any person can be called and trained within a period of six months or a year. This practice is not unique to Eritrea; it is practiced in countries like Israel and others. [According to the proclamation], failure to participate in the national service is punishable by a two-year jail term or 3,000 Nakfas [the Eritrean currency]. Anyone who disappears after undergoing training is subject to a five-year jail term, revocation of license, and denial of any land allocation.The measures that are being taken now, though should have been taken earlier, are not outside of the law or the proclamation. Any deserter to be detained, any aiding parent to be accountable are allowed by law and by the proclamation. I would not say there are no shortcomings in the implementation, but they can be corrected in the process. If Eritrea is to belong to all of us, we all have to participate in both good times and trying times. Dodging from national service and aiding and abetting sons/daughters to escape cannot entitle one to rights, and should not go unpunished.The engagement of national service participants in productive services has not only been described as “uncompensated work,” but also as “servitude” by those engaged in smear campaign. The work is done for the benefit of the country -- construction of roads, erection of bridges and dams, and development of agriculture. All of this is for the development of the country. The development so far accomplished would not have been possible without the national service initiative.Freedom of movement was raised [in the question]. We also believe that any citizen has the right to freely move anywhere, any time he desires. It is provided in our constitution and in our laws. And we had been observing it until 1998. After the Woyane invasion, conditions changed; and it was natural to introduce some limitations. As the proclamation considers anyone under age 50 a potential member of the armed forces, to place some limitation on movements of people under age 50 is allowed by law and by the proclamation. To say all under age 50 should be free to go anywhere they desire is equivalent to saying the country should be without the manpower needed to defend it. It is equivalent to saying, “do not strive to safeguard your rights and your sovereignty.” When it comes to movement, the government is handling things according to the situation. People have been excused and released from national service on account of health or other legitimate reasons. Women who fulfilled their national service obligation in particular have had their movement-related cases quickly resolved.
Ato Yemane Gebremeskel. As things have already been explained in detail, let me add a brief one. It is amazing that the participation of armed forces in production is considered as a violation of human rights. Participation of armed forces in production is not unique to us; it is practiced everywhere. For example, when an earth quake struck Pakistan, not only the Pakistani armed forces, also NATO’s, participated [in rescue and aid efforts]. The UNMEE, stationed in our country, participates in small projects. Similarly, the participation of the American armed forces stationed in Djibouti in digging wells and other activities is often reported in the press. Thus, the participation of armed forces in development is normal. Why does that become a topic of discussion when it comes to our case? If a citizen deserts, it is legal to make that individual legally accountable. If there is a problem in the process of implementation, that is another issue. Besides, war impacts every one, the burden of this war is on the shoulders of everyone. During the invasion, members of the armed forces were paying additional taxes. Citizens residing in foreign countries have been paying reconstruction tax for a long time. There was a time when people in business were asked for contributions. All this is not different from the normal conduct of affairs. It is not unique to us either. But, why is it viewed differently when it comes to us?
Professor Asmerom Legesse. There was an interview I gave when the national service was proclaimed. At the time, Eritrea had stated that as a small country, it is appropriate to mobilize its population to meet challenges directed from its enemies. The example, I mentioned was not Israel’s but Switzerland’s. Switzerland mobilizes all of its citizens and gives them military training. Because of that, while neighboring countries, like Holland and Norway, were invaded during the Second World War, Switzerland was not. After the military training, however, the trainees return to civilian life. And they are recalled every year for a two-week refresher military training. In our case, however, those once recruited are in the military for a long time. They are no able to lead a normal life. Thus, it is important to create a situation where our national service is aligned with civilian life. And we have to accept the views expressed on this issue.
Br/General Abraha Kassa. Although it is good to learn from other countries, each country has its own unique situation. It is obvious that if the national service is too long, it can result in social problems. And it is possible to conduct a study to determine what we need to do to avoid social problems. But, it is not feasible to disperse the armed forces by shortening the national service hoping doing so will prevent the occurrence of social problems. What can happen should be obvious to all of us. When you mobilize people, you take into account not only your own situation, but also that of your enemy. And it is for this reason that the government did not release members of the forces, except the ones who were resettled. War is not something that should be left to the armed forces only. It is because of he participation of the whole population that we succeeded. And at the present situation, everyone is contributing to the extent of his/her capacity to national defense. If a 60-year old woman ululates to encourage her children, if a 60-year old man fetches water, that means they both are participating, as they are contributing moral and material support. In time of war, the people, the armed forces and the government are in unison.
Comments from the Participating Audience
Ato Fitsum Tesfatsion (University of Asmara). Although the emergence of the concept of human rights is based on Western philosophy, the basic source of the rights center on the question: what rights should a human being be endowed with or acknowledged as entitlement? The rights are relevant to all societies and peoples of the world. Some of the rights, although stated incorporating the term, “individual,” I think are implemented in the form of groups or communities. For example, in the right to participate in politics, it is by organizing into groups, associations or organization, and not individually, that participation is possible. Even though countries establish their own laws, they also come together and collectively establish international laws. At any rate, a person is entitled to certain fundamental human rights. Generally, the mere existence of laws on paper is meaningless; it seems to me that rights should be respected at individual, government and other levels for rule of law to prevail.The interference of America and other countries was mentioned. In my view, however, a country should uphold human rights for the sake of its own people and not to appease others. I do not think that upholding or violating human rights in a given country should be measured by what other countries’ practices on human rights are. What is important is the measures a given country takes to uphold human rights.
Ato Binyam TeKle (Ministry of Justice). Is our discussion centered on the response needed to counter the criticisms coming from outside or on the human rights of the people of Eritrea? At the outset, we described human rights as dominated by liberal interpretation. If we are rejecting human rights because of that, can we survive by doing so? If there are competing interpretations to the liberal, which one have we adapted? And have we fully grasped it, and do we have the capacity to use it? In the final analysis, human rights should serve us, not vice versa.
Ato Zemehret Yohannes. Let me give a brief view on the issue just mentioned. First, I do not think one can say that liberal interpretation is the only correct way of interpreting or that it is the only way that prevalent. There can be no debate without competing views. As the liberal interpretation itself is the outcome of a certain society, culture, ideology and interest, other societies can develop their own views that reflect their own cultures, experiences and interests. We cannot take this as the final view. Thus, a reference was made to the dominance of liberal interpretation at this time, and not as the only one without any substitute. Second, the way the question was posed for debate was in itself problematic. Indeed, most of the questions were posed in a “reactive” fashion, as the question of human rights in Eritrea, in the main, is connected with foreign powers, foreign policies and foreign policy stands. To speak the truth, however, and as the participants also alluded to, whatever we do should not be to appease or please foreign powers or to be patted on the shoulder, but because the issue is of interest to us -- it is the issue of our people, of our lives, and of our future. For us, the question of human rights is primarily the question of the people of Eritrea, and our internal question. We will come to questions related to these aspects later. Even though the question was posed in terms of what is being said about us by outsiders, and in published reports, etc., the issue is primarily our internal issue.
Ato Alemseged BeKuretsion (Assembly of Maekel Zoba). Some rights, such as freedom from search, were raised. If a situation that tests national security arises, you would be obliged to take such measures. Had such a measure been taken during a normal situation, it would have been described as a violation. What is important here is the message. Those who are given the responsibility to implement, take questionable actions that go beyond the bounds of what was intended. So, why don’t we properly train them or give them proper advice? There are issues of concern in the way we handle things. It was stated [human rights] is a question of spirit; that is good. Our treatment of prisoners of war [during the armed struggle] with 100% observance of rights was not to gain global recognition or to implement the Geneva Convention; it was because of our principled belief. Participation of armed forces in production is good. However, it is also good to provide incentives to those who works. Although the education and knowledge they gain are significant incentives, offering something different would have been helpful. One also hears rumors that raise concern. Who is benefiting from the fruits of the participation in productive services? If, as sometimes rumored, individuals are benefiting, it certainly is a violation of human rights.There were some points Wedi Kassa mentioned about the national service. He said, “We did not implement the provisions of the proclamation until recently.” However, the activities were still going on. Some people were even brought to court. But, the commanders were not satisfied with either the charges filed by the attorney general or the decisions rendered by the military court. So, they were taking their own actions instead. That religious issues have been getting out of hand, starting in 1998, has even been brought to the attention of the government. This was pointed out at EPLF meetings. It is true that some have used religion as a means to escape from one’s responsibilities, and others as a means to fatten their pockets. Beyond that, for example, there were some that refused to fire shots, claiming to obey the commandment, “don’t kill.” To the one who comes to “feed” you fire, you don’t reward him with bread! When hurling grenades, they were doing so wishing and praying each grenade falls on stones or empty grounds. By contrast, there were some who fought courageously. Thus, the government should not have waited until 2002.
Ato Tahir Ibrahim (National Association of Eritrean Youth and Students). There are some citizens jailed whose crimes have not been officially revealed. They are people some of whom were jailed in September 1991 and some in December 1994. They should have been charged as a group. But, their case has not yet been resolved, and their families are left in a state of limbo. This case deserves legal resolution.
Ato Meles Woldeselassie (author/writer). I admire the manner in which the youth were cultivated and guided in the field [reference to the period of armed struggle]. At this time, however, I think the nature, effectiveness and manner of handling things have been slanted. We need our youth; we need to be flexible. We must be able to compete with our adversaries. Let us not say, “We don’t make mistakes.” We should embrace the view that mistakes lead to corrections. We need to send citizen representatives to international organizations to publicize the true image of our country to the international community.What I would like to mention here is that in our current situation, our economy must develop and production in general must grow.
As Professor [Asmerom] was saying, as war goes hand-in-hand with economy, we must device a way for returning the youth to civilian life. Let me tell you about a Turkish poem that is 700 years old. It goes as follows: To sustain a country, there must be a huge army and many horses. To administer those, you need money. To obtain money, the people must become prosperous. And for people to become prosperous, there must be law. If one of the four is missing, however, none of them exists.I have full confidence in the leadership of EPLF; they have been flexible, they have been patient. But, the world is against us. The threats and smear campaign conducted by the international media, like the BBC, is disappointing. Thus, there is no reason why we cannot be like in the past [restore our positive image]. We preserve our unity not only by combating sectarianism, but also solving our economic and social problems.
Responses from the Panelists
Ato Yemane Gebremeskel. The point of discussion here is not what human rights should exist in Eritrea. That has been answered. It is in our Charter; it is in our Constitution. Here the questions have been raised: As a concept, what does the International Bill of Human Rights entail? And what limitations does it have? We have to answer them. As was previously mentioned, the International Bill of Rights focuses on individual rights, and not on group or community rights. Rights of peoples were incorporated much later. The commissions on economic and social rights or the rights commission of the United Nations itself, other than giving notice, are not enforcing bodies. The rules themselves are such that one can make exceptions. And several countries do so.The People’s Front struggled for the independence and liberation of the Eritrean people. If it does not ensure human rights of the people of Eritrea, independence alone has no meaning. When [EPLF] says our policy is to expand social justice and balanced development, it is to ensure these rights. Our response [to the allegations of violations of rights] should not sound like justifying our actions in the light of violations of other countries. We all hear the baseless reports broadcast over the Voice of America and the BBC. To this, we definitely must respond. Especially if these reports originate from certain angles, we must expose their biases. We must be able to know whether they are doing this out of genuine concern for human rights or to further another agenda. I am singling out American and European because we ought to know what their intentions and their actions are in situations like ours. About the Warsai Yikealo [national service] campaign, issues were raised related to its effectiveness, administration and incentives. However, as these questions are related to administration, and not human rights, they are issues that can be raised some other time. Related to accounting, for example, there is the Auditor General. It should not be mixed with the topic of human rights.
Professor Asmerom Legesse. It is proper to give group rights their rightful place. And I think individual rights should also be given equivalent emphasis. Let me give you an example. Those of us who were residing in foreign countries were given permission to bring in property free of excise tax. It was rescinded because traders took advantage of it. When my property arrived, which was already en route [i.e., before the ban], I was told that it will be treated just like the rest. My case should have been treated as an exception. I appealed my case, and as a result, directives were given to treat things on a case-by-case basis. I raised this issue to point out that it is not good to treat things indiscriminately. Perhaps caution should be exercised so that individual treatment does not lead to corruption. But, to insist on approaching things only collectively is to slight individual rights and individual questions. And with such approach, individual rights cannot be respected.
Wzo/ Fawzia Hashim. We have never claimed we never make mistakes or that we have perfect institutions. We have to consider in our views the stage we are in, the challenges we are facing, and the fact that we are young as a country. Our desire is one thing, but our capacity is another. With all the challenges we face, we try to examine things case-by-case. That means, there is a distinction between ensuring rule of law and operating within the law. Ensuring rule of law means, to work according to the law once established. However, to abide by the law, it seems to me, is to apply as situations demand.Another issue, let us take corruption. It may have changed its form now, but we had fully controlled it at one time. Basically, struggling against corruption requires the participation of every body. Anyone who claims to be a victim should be able to legally redress the wrong. If he attempts to do this outside of the law, however, he is forfeiting his rights. Rights are not things that are given or denied at will. We all should understand that rights are earned through struggle. There is no reason why a government authority should not examine the uniqueness of cases and appeals presented to him, and resolve them. If one is confident about his work, he can accomplish them. And if there is some one who claims his case or appeal has not been heard, let him come forth.
Br/Genral Abraha Kassa. There is a point that I have heard being repeated that bothers me. And that is, if we are considering the Derg [former Ethiopian military dictatorship] and the Woyane regimes as upholders of human rights and admired by intellectuals, we are making a big mistake. The truth is the opposite. There are more skilled Eritreans who love their country than Ethiopian intellectuals who admire the Woyane. Second, it is not because Woyane is more effective or more persuasive in its appeal or has engaged larger human resources. What is hurting us is the taking of side [by the West], which we already have discussed. The reason why the Woyane is not facing any complaint or pressure while jailing and killing innocent civilians is not because the regime is effective in diplomacy or other areas. It is because they [Western media] close their eyes and turn deaf ears to the suppression and crimes committed by Woyane. Had we committed similar acts, it would have been a different story.As in the past, it is if we work with the participation and cooperation of our intellectuals, farmers, herders, etc. that we can succeed.END
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Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Anything that Ethiopia supports, Eritrea goes against
Herman Cohen on PBS NewsHour Program on Tuesday June 6 2006 alleged that Ethiopia is probably feeding false intelligence about terrorists being hidden in Somalia.
MARGARET WARNER: "So if all of this is the case, Secretary Cohen, then why is the U.S. government apparently -- though they've never confirmed that the U.S. has been supporting the warlords financially -- why is the U.S. so concerned about this Islamic group?"
HERMAN COHEN: "I think the U.S. government panicked. They saw Islamic group; they said, "Taliban is coming."
Also, there are friends in the region, like the Ethiopians, who probably are feeding false intelligence about terrorists being hidden and that sort of thing, because the Ethiopians are deadly afraid of Moslem control and also they have their own Moslem problem among the Oromo ethnic group in Ethiopia.
So they want to keep the Islamists out of power, and they will bring the U.S. into it, if they can."
MARGARET WARNER: But, in the meantime, the warlords are still vowing that they're not going to give up without a fight. They certainly, this large clan in Mogadishu, had this big rally today. Do you foresee more fighting?
HERMAN COHEN: I do foresee more fighting. They're not going to give up, but this is the job of the United States right now, to put pressure on the Ethiopians, "Look, stop supporting these guys. This is only trouble."
MARGARET WARNER: You mean that money has been funneled through the Ethiopians, you believe, to the warlords?
HERMAN COHEN: And also there's the other element of Eritrea. Anything that Ethiopia supports, Eritrea goes against, so Eritrea is feeding arms to the Islamic courts. We should tell them, "Stop doing that now. Now is the time for talks instead of fighting."
MARGARET WARNER: "So if all of this is the case, Secretary Cohen, then why is the U.S. government apparently -- though they've never confirmed that the U.S. has been supporting the warlords financially -- why is the U.S. so concerned about this Islamic group?"
HERMAN COHEN: "I think the U.S. government panicked. They saw Islamic group; they said, "Taliban is coming."
Also, there are friends in the region, like the Ethiopians, who probably are feeding false intelligence about terrorists being hidden and that sort of thing, because the Ethiopians are deadly afraid of Moslem control and also they have their own Moslem problem among the Oromo ethnic group in Ethiopia.
So they want to keep the Islamists out of power, and they will bring the U.S. into it, if they can."
MARGARET WARNER: But, in the meantime, the warlords are still vowing that they're not going to give up without a fight. They certainly, this large clan in Mogadishu, had this big rally today. Do you foresee more fighting?
HERMAN COHEN: I do foresee more fighting. They're not going to give up, but this is the job of the United States right now, to put pressure on the Ethiopians, "Look, stop supporting these guys. This is only trouble."
MARGARET WARNER: You mean that money has been funneled through the Ethiopians, you believe, to the warlords?
HERMAN COHEN: And also there's the other element of Eritrea. Anything that Ethiopia supports, Eritrea goes against, so Eritrea is feeding arms to the Islamic courts. We should tell them, "Stop doing that now. Now is the time for talks instead of fighting."
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
World’s Press Condemns Jailing of Journalists in Eritrea
Moscow, Russia, 6 June 2006
The Board of the World Association of Newspapers has condemned the continued imprisonment of 15 journalists in Eritrea and has called on the east African nation, where all independent media have been shut down since 2001, to restore freedom of the press and access to information.
"The Eritrean government has refused to provide information on the health, whereabouts, or legal status of the detained journalists. Most have not been formally charged despite having spent five years in detention," said the WAN Board in a resolution issued during the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum, the global meetings of the world’s press.
The resolution said:
"The Board of the World Association of Newspapers, meeting at the 59th World Newspaper Congress in Moscow, Russia, 4 to 7 June 2006, calls for the release of fifteen journalists in Eritrea.
"Most of the journalists were imprisoned following a government crackdown in 2001 that saw the closure of all independent media outlets and the suspension of civil and political liberties in Eritrea.
"The Eritrean government has refused to provide information on the health, whereabouts, or legal status of the detained journalists. Most have not been formally charged despite having spent five years in detention. Eritrean law stipulates that an individual cannot be detained without charges for more than 30 days.
"The journalists currently imprisoned are: Said Abdulkadir, Saadia Ahmed, Yosuf Mohamed Ali, Saleh Al-Jezaeri, Amanuel Asrat, Temesgen Gebreyesus, Mattewos Habteab, Dawit Habtemichael, Medhanie Haile, Dawit Isaac, Fessahaye Yohannes, Hamid Mohamed Said, Seyoum Tsehaye and Ghebrehiwet Keleta.
"Zemenfes Haile and Selamyinghes Beyene were reportedly sent into the national service for an unspecified period as a punitive measure for their professional activities.
"The detention of these journalists constitutes a clear breach to their right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by numerous international conventions, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights considers that ’detention, as punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion, is one of the most reprehensible ways to enjoin silence and, as a consequence, a grave violation of human rights’.
"The Board of WAN calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the fifteen imprisoned journalists and for President Isaias Afworki to restore all civil and political liberties in Eritrea, including freedom of the press and access to information."
The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 18,000 newspapers; its membership includes 73 national newspaper associations, newspapers and newspaper executives in 102 countries, 11 news agencies and nine regional and world-wide press groups.
Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr
Printarticle
The Board of the World Association of Newspapers has condemned the continued imprisonment of 15 journalists in Eritrea and has called on the east African nation, where all independent media have been shut down since 2001, to restore freedom of the press and access to information.
"The Eritrean government has refused to provide information on the health, whereabouts, or legal status of the detained journalists. Most have not been formally charged despite having spent five years in detention," said the WAN Board in a resolution issued during the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum, the global meetings of the world’s press.
The resolution said:
"The Board of the World Association of Newspapers, meeting at the 59th World Newspaper Congress in Moscow, Russia, 4 to 7 June 2006, calls for the release of fifteen journalists in Eritrea.
"Most of the journalists were imprisoned following a government crackdown in 2001 that saw the closure of all independent media outlets and the suspension of civil and political liberties in Eritrea.
"The Eritrean government has refused to provide information on the health, whereabouts, or legal status of the detained journalists. Most have not been formally charged despite having spent five years in detention. Eritrean law stipulates that an individual cannot be detained without charges for more than 30 days.
"The journalists currently imprisoned are: Said Abdulkadir, Saadia Ahmed, Yosuf Mohamed Ali, Saleh Al-Jezaeri, Amanuel Asrat, Temesgen Gebreyesus, Mattewos Habteab, Dawit Habtemichael, Medhanie Haile, Dawit Isaac, Fessahaye Yohannes, Hamid Mohamed Said, Seyoum Tsehaye and Ghebrehiwet Keleta.
"Zemenfes Haile and Selamyinghes Beyene were reportedly sent into the national service for an unspecified period as a punitive measure for their professional activities.
"The detention of these journalists constitutes a clear breach to their right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by numerous international conventions, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights considers that ’detention, as punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion, is one of the most reprehensible ways to enjoin silence and, as a consequence, a grave violation of human rights’.
"The Board of WAN calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the fifteen imprisoned journalists and for President Isaias Afworki to restore all civil and political liberties in Eritrea, including freedom of the press and access to information."
The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 18,000 newspapers; its membership includes 73 national newspaper associations, newspapers and newspaper executives in 102 countries, 11 news agencies and nine regional and world-wide press groups.
Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr
Printarticle
Vad är kultur?”
Delrapport Fredsfusion sommarläger
Dagen började med smågruppsdiskussioner på temat ”vad är kultur?” där både nykomna volontärer och fredsfusiondeltagare deltog tillsammans. Syftet var att deltagarna skulle komma upp med olika fenomen som kan betecknas som kultur: mat, religion, värderingar etc för att sedan placera dem i en isbergsmodell där somligt är medvetet och annat omedvetet. Detta för att underlätta arbetet med att lära sig leva i ett nytt land.
Men på grund av frågans stora bredd och att många deltagare framförde starka åsikter och provocerades av varandra tog passet sig en delvis annan vändning. Som jag uppfattar det fanns det dels de som menade att kulturbegreppet kunde vara farligt för att det skapade skillnader snarare än övervann dem. Att det inte kunde knytas till en nation utan snarare borde knytas till olika samhällsklasser och subkulturella grupperingar och t o m individer. Att kultur dessutom förändras och överhuvudtaget inte är något absolut.
Å andra sidan fanns det de som menade att kulturskillnader trots allt har en nationell koppling och att det ändå i ett praktiskt perspektiv är meningsfullt att informera volontärerna om svensk kultur.
Det var också intressant att höra den Indiske volontären driva tesen att deras sätt att hälsa har varit detsamma under lång tid och att det kommer att fortsätta i framtiden och att den indiska kulturen är över 10 000 år gammal etc. Jag skulle vilja säga att det speglar ett mer absolutistiskt förhållningssätt till kultur, där det finns en tydlig koppling till den egna identiteten. Medan internationellt intresserade svenska ungdomar istället ofta har ett kritiskt och distanserat förhållningssätt som speglar vad man lärt sig genom universitetsstudier. Vilket ibland kanske skymmer att vi naturligtvis också har ett känslomässigt förhållningssätt till vår kultur och våra ideal och inte alltid blir glada när de kritiseras.
Många tyckte att diskussionen varit spännande och mycket givande men flera efterlyste ändå tydligare ramar och mer avgränsade diskussionsämnen. Kanske kunde en mer noggrann presentation och genomgång av begreppet underlätta den gemensamma diskussionen.
Därefter gjorde vi en övning om identitet och fördomar. Varje person i smågrupperna fick en lapp uppklistrad i pannan med ett av följande engelska adjektiv: rich, poor, bossy, confused och patriot. Bara de andra fick se ens lapp och man skulle utifrån dem behandla var och en som om han eller hon hade den egenskap som lappen angav. Syftet med övningen är att alla ska få känna hur det är att bli behandlad efter en stereotyp. Många berättade om hur de kände sig irriterade över att bli ”påklistrad” en egenskap man inte själv kände sig befryndad med. Flera beskrev samtidigt hur man tenderade att anpassa sig efter hur man behandlades.
Därefter försvann volontärerna till sina aktiviteter och vi fredsfusiondeltagare fick börja fundera kring vad som är svenskt och hur svenskar är. Detta utmynnade sedan i en rad presentationer för volontärerna om vad de ska tänka på när de är i Sverige.
I slutet av dagen spånade vi idéer om olika projekt som vi skulle kunna genomföra tillsammans i framtiden. Det handlade dels om att ordna sociala aktiviteter för att skapa kontaktytor mellan eritreanska asylsökare och svenskar. Fotboll, svenska undervisning, familjekontakter mm föreslogs. Det fanns även en idé om att göra ett tjejprojekt för att involvera även de Eritreanska tjejerna. Vi diskuterade under kvällen också möjligheten att PeaceQuest skulle kunna hjälpa till som medlare mellan olika Eritreanska och Etiopiska grupper i Sverige
Dagen började med smågruppsdiskussioner på temat ”vad är kultur?” där både nykomna volontärer och fredsfusiondeltagare deltog tillsammans. Syftet var att deltagarna skulle komma upp med olika fenomen som kan betecknas som kultur: mat, religion, värderingar etc för att sedan placera dem i en isbergsmodell där somligt är medvetet och annat omedvetet. Detta för att underlätta arbetet med att lära sig leva i ett nytt land.
Men på grund av frågans stora bredd och att många deltagare framförde starka åsikter och provocerades av varandra tog passet sig en delvis annan vändning. Som jag uppfattar det fanns det dels de som menade att kulturbegreppet kunde vara farligt för att det skapade skillnader snarare än övervann dem. Att det inte kunde knytas till en nation utan snarare borde knytas till olika samhällsklasser och subkulturella grupperingar och t o m individer. Att kultur dessutom förändras och överhuvudtaget inte är något absolut.
Å andra sidan fanns det de som menade att kulturskillnader trots allt har en nationell koppling och att det ändå i ett praktiskt perspektiv är meningsfullt att informera volontärerna om svensk kultur.
Det var också intressant att höra den Indiske volontären driva tesen att deras sätt att hälsa har varit detsamma under lång tid och att det kommer att fortsätta i framtiden och att den indiska kulturen är över 10 000 år gammal etc. Jag skulle vilja säga att det speglar ett mer absolutistiskt förhållningssätt till kultur, där det finns en tydlig koppling till den egna identiteten. Medan internationellt intresserade svenska ungdomar istället ofta har ett kritiskt och distanserat förhållningssätt som speglar vad man lärt sig genom universitetsstudier. Vilket ibland kanske skymmer att vi naturligtvis också har ett känslomässigt förhållningssätt till vår kultur och våra ideal och inte alltid blir glada när de kritiseras.
Många tyckte att diskussionen varit spännande och mycket givande men flera efterlyste ändå tydligare ramar och mer avgränsade diskussionsämnen. Kanske kunde en mer noggrann presentation och genomgång av begreppet underlätta den gemensamma diskussionen.
Därefter gjorde vi en övning om identitet och fördomar. Varje person i smågrupperna fick en lapp uppklistrad i pannan med ett av följande engelska adjektiv: rich, poor, bossy, confused och patriot. Bara de andra fick se ens lapp och man skulle utifrån dem behandla var och en som om han eller hon hade den egenskap som lappen angav. Syftet med övningen är att alla ska få känna hur det är att bli behandlad efter en stereotyp. Många berättade om hur de kände sig irriterade över att bli ”påklistrad” en egenskap man inte själv kände sig befryndad med. Flera beskrev samtidigt hur man tenderade att anpassa sig efter hur man behandlades.
Därefter försvann volontärerna till sina aktiviteter och vi fredsfusiondeltagare fick börja fundera kring vad som är svenskt och hur svenskar är. Detta utmynnade sedan i en rad presentationer för volontärerna om vad de ska tänka på när de är i Sverige.
I slutet av dagen spånade vi idéer om olika projekt som vi skulle kunna genomföra tillsammans i framtiden. Det handlade dels om att ordna sociala aktiviteter för att skapa kontaktytor mellan eritreanska asylsökare och svenskar. Fotboll, svenska undervisning, familjekontakter mm föreslogs. Det fanns även en idé om att göra ett tjejprojekt för att involvera även de Eritreanska tjejerna. Vi diskuterade under kvällen också möjligheten att PeaceQuest skulle kunna hjälpa till som medlare mellan olika Eritreanska och Etiopiska grupper i Sverige
Conflict Management (22 Aug 2005) by Öjvind
Part I Sweden In Peace
First part of the workshop was “Sweden in Peace.” Sweden has been in peace for about 200 years. From 1521 – 1814 Sweden has 16 kings. 13 of the kings were in conflict or war with Denmark or Russia. The cause was the kings’ ambition to make Sweden a big empire. However, in 17 century Sweden lost war after war.
In 1814 a new French miltary, Bandot became king in Sweden. He took Swedeish name. He was realsitic and strategic. He convinced that Sweden is small country that can’t envade other countries. He was able to avoid war and eventually to establish Sweden. His son also started cultural and social exchange with Denmark.
After 1814 Sweden has never been in war or conflict, but it has been on edge of war on different occassions.
When Germany envaded Denmark, Sweden threated that they will go to war in support of Denmark when Russians backed their idea. But it was avoided when Russians changed their idea.
In 1905 Norway was separated from Sweden by majority vote. Some Swedish elites were against the separation of Norway and there was a threat of war again.
Afterwards Sweden started to develop a new system: free alliance and being neutral in war. Although in reality it was not. Thus, they started to build relation with both sides of antagonists. For instance, in 1914 during WWI started to support first France and then Russia.
During WW II Sweden was in threat of war from Germany. But Sweden started to export iron to Germany and support the Nazis. After Germany started to lose the war they started to support the alliance. At that time Norway was disappointed with Sweden for letting Germany soldiers.
During cold world war Sweden claimed neutral. But USA set up a radar on the East Coast of sweden. On the other hand Sweden was supporting Russia, which was a paradox.
Then the workshop was open for the attendees for questions and opinions. Some of the opinions were:
Nordic countries are suspious of Sweden
Sweden feel quite safe nowadays.
Sweden has a policy of neutrality, which is not in reality. But it is a way of avoiding war.
Sweden avoids to sell arms and weapons for countries in conflict, at least in policy.
Swedes have a long history of believing that what their leaders (politicians) doing is correct and true.
Sweden used to export weapon to India and in 1960 there was a plan to build a nuclear weapon.
On the contrary of Sweden’s experience, Eritrea uses every opportunity to start conflict and war.
Part II What is Conflict?
The second part of the discussion was about “conflict”. In this section the attendees were divided into two groups: Swedish and Eritreans. The two groups were assigned to find as many synonames as they can that can express conflict in their own langauge. Each group dramatized its _expression of conflict.
Based on the dramas the attendees were able to identify what a conflict is and cause of the conflict. Then, how the conflict starts and reachs the total extinction stage was explained in graphic way by Öjvind.
Escalation of conflict
Total
extinction
Hit on sensitive
points
Attack
Threat
Lose face
Enemy
Run over
Need to win
Discussion
Conflict issue
After run over it is easy to solve the conflict. But if it reaches the attack stage it is difficult to solve it. It needs a long time. However, if it reaches total extinction it is unsolvable. At this stage mediator is needed. Eg. UN forces are required in case of border war.
Part III Examples of conflict stories
The third part of the workshop was to come up with examples of conflict that really happened in the individuals life. The attendees were divided into four groups. Each group has to choose one story and dramatize it.
Each conflict story should have answer for the following three main questions.
Where is the conflict?
What is your role in the conflict?
What is the core of the conflict?
After each conflict drama the attendees were asked to stop the acters and try to solve the problem by acting themselves before it reaches conflict at different stages.
Methods of conflict mangemnet
Based on the the stories and dramas all attendees were able to suggest some points on methods of solving conflict.
Dialogue with all parties - early intervention
Avoiding argument before violence
Compromise
Understanding the “enemy”
Patience- choose the right situation
Concentrate on the actual problem
See the needs of the other side
Avoid use the word “enemy” and “problem” instead more postive words
Use a mediator
Admittance of fault- should not be to the extreme
Be nice and kind
Put the challenge (problem) in a larger perspective
At the end of the workshop Öjvind recommended a method which is good at solving problem:
Unconditional constructive strategy
Respect your agreement even if the other side breaks it
Avoid the bad manner of the other side
Admitt your fault little by little but not totaly all together
Joking sometimes can avoid conflict
First part of the workshop was “Sweden in Peace.” Sweden has been in peace for about 200 years. From 1521 – 1814 Sweden has 16 kings. 13 of the kings were in conflict or war with Denmark or Russia. The cause was the kings’ ambition to make Sweden a big empire. However, in 17 century Sweden lost war after war.
In 1814 a new French miltary, Bandot became king in Sweden. He took Swedeish name. He was realsitic and strategic. He convinced that Sweden is small country that can’t envade other countries. He was able to avoid war and eventually to establish Sweden. His son also started cultural and social exchange with Denmark.
After 1814 Sweden has never been in war or conflict, but it has been on edge of war on different occassions.
When Germany envaded Denmark, Sweden threated that they will go to war in support of Denmark when Russians backed their idea. But it was avoided when Russians changed their idea.
In 1905 Norway was separated from Sweden by majority vote. Some Swedish elites were against the separation of Norway and there was a threat of war again.
Afterwards Sweden started to develop a new system: free alliance and being neutral in war. Although in reality it was not. Thus, they started to build relation with both sides of antagonists. For instance, in 1914 during WWI started to support first France and then Russia.
During WW II Sweden was in threat of war from Germany. But Sweden started to export iron to Germany and support the Nazis. After Germany started to lose the war they started to support the alliance. At that time Norway was disappointed with Sweden for letting Germany soldiers.
During cold world war Sweden claimed neutral. But USA set up a radar on the East Coast of sweden. On the other hand Sweden was supporting Russia, which was a paradox.
Then the workshop was open for the attendees for questions and opinions. Some of the opinions were:
Nordic countries are suspious of Sweden
Sweden feel quite safe nowadays.
Sweden has a policy of neutrality, which is not in reality. But it is a way of avoiding war.
Sweden avoids to sell arms and weapons for countries in conflict, at least in policy.
Swedes have a long history of believing that what their leaders (politicians) doing is correct and true.
Sweden used to export weapon to India and in 1960 there was a plan to build a nuclear weapon.
On the contrary of Sweden’s experience, Eritrea uses every opportunity to start conflict and war.
Part II What is Conflict?
The second part of the discussion was about “conflict”. In this section the attendees were divided into two groups: Swedish and Eritreans. The two groups were assigned to find as many synonames as they can that can express conflict in their own langauge. Each group dramatized its _expression of conflict.
Based on the dramas the attendees were able to identify what a conflict is and cause of the conflict. Then, how the conflict starts and reachs the total extinction stage was explained in graphic way by Öjvind.
Escalation of conflict
Total
extinction
Hit on sensitive
points
Attack
Threat
Lose face
Enemy
Run over
Need to win
Discussion
Conflict issue
After run over it is easy to solve the conflict. But if it reaches the attack stage it is difficult to solve it. It needs a long time. However, if it reaches total extinction it is unsolvable. At this stage mediator is needed. Eg. UN forces are required in case of border war.
Part III Examples of conflict stories
The third part of the workshop was to come up with examples of conflict that really happened in the individuals life. The attendees were divided into four groups. Each group has to choose one story and dramatize it.
Each conflict story should have answer for the following three main questions.
Where is the conflict?
What is your role in the conflict?
What is the core of the conflict?
After each conflict drama the attendees were asked to stop the acters and try to solve the problem by acting themselves before it reaches conflict at different stages.
Methods of conflict mangemnet
Based on the the stories and dramas all attendees were able to suggest some points on methods of solving conflict.
Dialogue with all parties - early intervention
Avoiding argument before violence
Compromise
Understanding the “enemy”
Patience- choose the right situation
Concentrate on the actual problem
See the needs of the other side
Avoid use the word “enemy” and “problem” instead more postive words
Use a mediator
Admittance of fault- should not be to the extreme
Be nice and kind
Put the challenge (problem) in a larger perspective
At the end of the workshop Öjvind recommended a method which is good at solving problem:
Unconditional constructive strategy
Respect your agreement even if the other side breaks it
Avoid the bad manner of the other side
Admitt your fault little by little but not totaly all together
Joking sometimes can avoid conflict
ASYLDAGEN :AEASS arbete i Sverige
Efter första dagens presentationer och lära-känna-varandra-lekar drog vi på söndagen igång med en heldag om asylpolitik och om hur det är att leva som asylsökande. AEASS (Asociation for Eritrean Asylum Seekers in Sweden) var ansvariga för dagens program som framför allt bestod av föreläsningar som Khaled stod för.
Khaled började med att kortfattat förklara situationen i Eritrea, om ett folk på 4 miljoner invånare som består av kristna, muslimer och animister. Han berättade om hur EPLF kom till makten vid Eritreas självständighet 1991 och att landet sedan dess inte haft några fria val. Ett skyttegravskrig pågår på den obestämda gränsen mot Etiopien och 10% av befolkningen är just nu i armén. Bland annat på grund av tvånget för alla mellan 18 och 55 år att tjänstgöra som militärer pågår nu en massflykt från Eritrea.
I Sverige finns idag ca 3000 eritreanska asylsökande. Tidigare har 90% av de eritreaner som sökt asyl fått avslag på sina ansökningar, men bl a på grund av AEASS lobbingarbete mot riksdag och regering har situationen delvis förändrats. AEASS har bjudit in representanter från Amnesty, regeringskansliet, migrationsverket m.m. för att informera om situationen i Eritrea och det ledde nyligen till nya bestämmelser om asylsökande från Eritrea.
Efter denna lilla presentation övergick Khaled till att prata om hur det är att vara asylsökande i Sverige och vilken roll AEASS har för dessa enskilda individer. Asylprocessen i Sverige tar normalt 2 år vilket är en ganska lång tids orolig väntan. Under den tiden har man 200 kr/mån att leva på och några månaders svenskundervisning som ofta avslutas långt innan man kan prata. Ett stort problem för de asylsökande är att få känner till sina rättigheter och inte har självförtroende att ställa några krav. Därför hänger hela deras liv på den personliga kontakten med deras handläggare. Det är här AEASS gör ett viktigt arbete. De jobbar hittills endast i Stockholm där de har 200 medlemmar. De försöker kämpa för sina rättigheter och ge självförtroende till de asylsökande. De försöker hjälpa dem som behöver ekonomiskt och praktiskt stöd. Khaled trodde att AEASS arbete har en stor del i att det bland eritreaner i Sverige finns få självmord och få galna och kriminella asylsökande.%
Khaled började med att kortfattat förklara situationen i Eritrea, om ett folk på 4 miljoner invånare som består av kristna, muslimer och animister. Han berättade om hur EPLF kom till makten vid Eritreas självständighet 1991 och att landet sedan dess inte haft några fria val. Ett skyttegravskrig pågår på den obestämda gränsen mot Etiopien och 10% av befolkningen är just nu i armén. Bland annat på grund av tvånget för alla mellan 18 och 55 år att tjänstgöra som militärer pågår nu en massflykt från Eritrea.
I Sverige finns idag ca 3000 eritreanska asylsökande. Tidigare har 90% av de eritreaner som sökt asyl fått avslag på sina ansökningar, men bl a på grund av AEASS lobbingarbete mot riksdag och regering har situationen delvis förändrats. AEASS har bjudit in representanter från Amnesty, regeringskansliet, migrationsverket m.m. för att informera om situationen i Eritrea och det ledde nyligen till nya bestämmelser om asylsökande från Eritrea.
Efter denna lilla presentation övergick Khaled till att prata om hur det är att vara asylsökande i Sverige och vilken roll AEASS har för dessa enskilda individer. Asylprocessen i Sverige tar normalt 2 år vilket är en ganska lång tids orolig väntan. Under den tiden har man 200 kr/mån att leva på och några månaders svenskundervisning som ofta avslutas långt innan man kan prata. Ett stort problem för de asylsökande är att få känner till sina rättigheter och inte har självförtroende att ställa några krav. Därför hänger hela deras liv på den personliga kontakten med deras handläggare. Det är här AEASS gör ett viktigt arbete. De jobbar hittills endast i Stockholm där de har 200 medlemmar. De försöker kämpa för sina rättigheter och ge självförtroende till de asylsökande. De försöker hjälpa dem som behöver ekonomiskt och praktiskt stöd. Khaled trodde att AEASS arbete har en stor del i att det bland eritreaner i Sverige finns få självmord och få galna och kriminella asylsökande.%
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF JOURNALISTS - Press Release
IFJ Express Worries about the Situation of Journalists held incommunicado in Eritrea
08 May 2006
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today express deep concern in relation to the persistence of the reign of terror, slammed on the independent press, by the regime in Eritrea. Fifteen journalists are currently held in Eritrea without trial for almost 5 years in secret detention centres, while all the private press houses have been forced to close down."We don’t have any information concerning these journalists and we don’t have any information saying that their families or organizations could visit them" revealed a source in Eritrea to the IFJ.In September 2001, opposition leaders advocated for democratic reform, which were widely carried by the press. Following these reports, about ten journalists were arrested along with some opposition leaders. The Eritrean government in an official statement, “labelled” the journalists for being "traitors working for the enemy" and a threat to national security. Since then, only the Swedish-Eritrean, Dawit Isaac was heard about, thanks to a release which lasted only two days in November 2005, so that he can receive some treatment. The other journalists held could not communicate neither with their families nor with their lawyers, and there is no information specifying their places of detention or their health conditions. This is also the case of five other journalists arrested before the wave of repressions in 2001, some of whom according to official sources are "carrying out their military service"."Eritrea is the only country in the world where there is no independent media and foreign correspondents. This extreme violation of the right to freedom of expression has continued unabated since 2001, without any sign of a positive change by the Eritrean Government. “The continued black out on the situation of the held journalists, worries us seriously», declared Gabriel Baglo, the Director of the Africa Office of the IFJ. “We urge the African Union to hold discussions with President Isaias Afwerki to release all the illegally detained journalists unconditionally and without any further delay and to restore the freedom of the press” added Mr. Baglo. For further information contact the IFJ: +221 842 01 43The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESSOH Honoré
Safety and Information Officer I
nternational Federation of Journalists -
Africa Office17, Boulevard de la Republique, Dakar - SénégalTel : + 221 842 01 42 Fax : +221 842 02 69Email : ifjafrique@sentoo.sn / fijafrica@sentoo.snUrl : www.ifj.org
08 May 2006
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today express deep concern in relation to the persistence of the reign of terror, slammed on the independent press, by the regime in Eritrea. Fifteen journalists are currently held in Eritrea without trial for almost 5 years in secret detention centres, while all the private press houses have been forced to close down."We don’t have any information concerning these journalists and we don’t have any information saying that their families or organizations could visit them" revealed a source in Eritrea to the IFJ.In September 2001, opposition leaders advocated for democratic reform, which were widely carried by the press. Following these reports, about ten journalists were arrested along with some opposition leaders. The Eritrean government in an official statement, “labelled” the journalists for being "traitors working for the enemy" and a threat to national security. Since then, only the Swedish-Eritrean, Dawit Isaac was heard about, thanks to a release which lasted only two days in November 2005, so that he can receive some treatment. The other journalists held could not communicate neither with their families nor with their lawyers, and there is no information specifying their places of detention or their health conditions. This is also the case of five other journalists arrested before the wave of repressions in 2001, some of whom according to official sources are "carrying out their military service"."Eritrea is the only country in the world where there is no independent media and foreign correspondents. This extreme violation of the right to freedom of expression has continued unabated since 2001, without any sign of a positive change by the Eritrean Government. “The continued black out on the situation of the held journalists, worries us seriously», declared Gabriel Baglo, the Director of the Africa Office of the IFJ. “We urge the African Union to hold discussions with President Isaias Afwerki to release all the illegally detained journalists unconditionally and without any further delay and to restore the freedom of the press” added Mr. Baglo. For further information contact the IFJ: +221 842 01 43The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESSOH Honoré
Safety and Information Officer I
nternational Federation of Journalists -
Africa Office17, Boulevard de la Republique, Dakar - SénégalTel : + 221 842 01 42 Fax : +221 842 02 69Email : ifjafrique@sentoo.sn / fijafrica@sentoo.snUrl : www.ifj.org
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Cecilias månadsbrev
Idag är det pressfrihetens dag och den tvärpolitiska riksdagsgruppen för Dawit Isaak som jag leder väcker ett antal interpellationer till utrikesminister Jan Eliasson. Oberoende och granskande medier är en nödvändighet för det demokratiska samhället. Det är självklart i Sverige, men inte i många andra länder. Den svensk-eritreanske journalisten Dawit Isaak med familjen i Göteborg sitter sedan mer än 4 år i ett eritreanskt fängelse utan rättegång på grund av hans journalistiska gärning. Vi vill fästa Jan Eliassons uppmärksamhet på Dawit Isaaks öde. Som ny utrikesminister är det viktigt att han snabbt sätter sig in i fallet för att kunna agera för hans frigivning. En prioriterad uppgift för Sveriges nye utrikesminister måste vara att intensifiera det arbete som görs för att få Dawit frigiven. Eliasson bör exempelvis bege sig till Eritrea för att på plats engagera sig i Dawits fall och i FN ta upp hans fall med Eritrea för att markera den vikt Sverige lägger vid fallet. Mitt engagemang för Dawit Isaak väcktes då jag träffade hans familj i Göteborg strax efter att jag var nyvald i riksdagen 2002. Det kändes självklart för mig att försöka bidra till att få hem deras far eftersom respekt för varje persons mänskliga rättigheter är en av de centrala frågor jag vill uppnå genom mitt riksdags uppdrag. Dessutom är jag göteborgares representant i riksdagen och då vill jag göra vad jag kan för dem i mitt uppdrag som riksdagsledamot. I början som nyvald trodde jag att det var bäst att agera genom att ringa Utrikesdepartementet och försöka förmå dem att göra mer. Jag trodde att om jag som oppositionspolitiker väckte frågan i riksdagen skulle regeringen inte lyssna. Handläggaren på UD tackade mig någon gång för att jag ringde. Hennes arbete med Eritrea skulle prioriteras internt om cheferna visste att en riksdagsledamot följde vad som gjordes. Senare insåg jag att det trots allt var bra att formellt väcka en fråga eller interpellation om Dawit Isaak och debattera UD:s brist på agerande i riksdagen. Efter KU-förhören om UD:s hjälp till Mehmed Ghezali på Guantantamo våren 2003 var det lätt att jämföra och se att mycket krut lagts på Ghezali, men nästan inget på Dawit. Uppenbarligen fick inte alla svenskar samma hjälp, utan det gällde att hamna på mittuppslaget i Expressen för att få regeringen och därmed UD att agera. När en fråga väcks offentligt i riksdagen vill regeringen helst inte ge dåliga svar (särskilt om det uppmärksammas av pressen), och kan därför drivas framåt även av oppositionen. Många olika personers agerande från exempelvis Stödkommittén för Dawit Isaak, journalistorganisationer tillsammans med flera riksdagsfrågor, har lett fram till att Laila Freivalds på sin tid var engagerad och drev på UD:s arbete. Nu gäller det att Jan Eliasson tar vid så att den eritreanska regimen släpper Dawit Isaak fri. Det var allt för denna gång!
Vänliga hälsningar,
Cecilia Wigström - - - - - - - -
I detta månadsbrev berättar jag vad som händer i mitt uppdrag som riksdagsledamot (fp) i utrikesutskottet. Har du synpunkter eller frågor hör gärna av dig på cecilia.wigstrom@riksdagen.se eller
mobil 0702-14 90 24.
Sänd gärna nyhetsbrevet vidare till andra. Prenumerant blir man genom att anmäla sig på hemsidan www.ceciliawigstrom.nu.
Om du inte vill få nyhetsbrevet i fortsättningen skicka ett mejl till cecilia.wigstrom@liberal.se med "unsubscribe" i ärenderaden.
Vänliga hälsningar,
Cecilia Wigström - - - - - - - -
I detta månadsbrev berättar jag vad som händer i mitt uppdrag som riksdagsledamot (fp) i utrikesutskottet. Har du synpunkter eller frågor hör gärna av dig på cecilia.wigstrom@riksdagen.se eller
mobil 0702-14 90 24.
Sänd gärna nyhetsbrevet vidare till andra. Prenumerant blir man genom att anmäla sig på hemsidan www.ceciliawigstrom.nu.
Om du inte vill få nyhetsbrevet i fortsättningen skicka ett mejl till cecilia.wigstrom@liberal.se med "unsubscribe" i ärenderaden.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Refugee camp hosting over 11,000 Eritrean refugees to be expanded
Refugee camp hosting over 11,000 Eritrean refugees to be expanded
Addis Ababa, April 28, 2006 (WIC) - The Shemelba Refugee Camp, where over 11,000 Eritrean refugees are accommodated, would be expanded as the influx is on the rise, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) disclosed.
Senior Public Information Assistant with the Regional Liaison Office of UNHCR, Kisut Gebre-Egziabher, told WIC that the camp would be expanded to host additional 5,000 refugees.
He said the camp is overpopulated due to continued influx of refugees to northern Ethiopia from Eritrea. Currently, the camp is the only one with increasing population of refugees in the country.
According to Kisut , the influx was on average 400 people per month between March and May in 2005, while it is about 250 per month this year.
UNHCR has been closely working with the Authority for Refugees and Returnees Affairs on the expansion work expected to be finalized within this year, he stated.
Kisut further noted that the refugees have been getting the necessary protection from the government of Ethiopia and the Commission is rendering 15 kilograms of food rations per head in a month as well as health and sanitary provisions, among others.
UNHCR is seeking a durable solution to the problem of the refugees, Kisut said, adding that it has put in place elementary school facilities and children of school age are attending classes.
Shemelba is one of the seven refugee camps in the country, it was learnt.
Addis Ababa, April 28, 2006 (WIC) - The Shemelba Refugee Camp, where over 11,000 Eritrean refugees are accommodated, would be expanded as the influx is on the rise, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) disclosed.
Senior Public Information Assistant with the Regional Liaison Office of UNHCR, Kisut Gebre-Egziabher, told WIC that the camp would be expanded to host additional 5,000 refugees.
He said the camp is overpopulated due to continued influx of refugees to northern Ethiopia from Eritrea. Currently, the camp is the only one with increasing population of refugees in the country.
According to Kisut , the influx was on average 400 people per month between March and May in 2005, while it is about 250 per month this year.
UNHCR has been closely working with the Authority for Refugees and Returnees Affairs on the expansion work expected to be finalized within this year, he stated.
Kisut further noted that the refugees have been getting the necessary protection from the government of Ethiopia and the Commission is rendering 15 kilograms of food rations per head in a month as well as health and sanitary provisions, among others.
UNHCR is seeking a durable solution to the problem of the refugees, Kisut said, adding that it has put in place elementary school facilities and children of school age are attending classes.
Shemelba is one of the seven refugee camps in the country, it was learnt.
Eritrea wants border fixed; Ethiopia wants talks
Thursday, April 27, 2006 Posted: 1652 GMT (0052 HKT)
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) -- Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi pressed neighboring Eritrea on Thursday to accept that negotiations are "the only sane option" for resolving the simmering tensions over the border between the two nations.
Meles was speaking after international mediators postponed talks that were scheduled for Friday in London to discuss the stalled demarcation of the border over which they went to war in 1998, fighting for two-and-a-half years. It was not immediately clear why the talks were delayed and no new date has been set.
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war, but their 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) border was never settled.
"I very much hope the other side recognizes that the only sane option is to sit together and discuss issues and try to resolve them through dialogue by peaceful means," Meles told reporters. "My hope is that some progress will be made. In the end, all conflicts have to be resolved through dialogue."
Eritrea, however, rejected calls for negotiations, saying implementation of their 2000 peace agreement will resolve their border dispute peacefully and legally.
Under the deal, both countries agreed to let an international boundary commission rule on the location of their frontier. They also agreed that the ruling would be final and binding.
The commission issued its ruling in 2002, but the decision has not been implemented because of Ethiopia's refusal to accept the awarding of the town of Badme and other territories to Eritrea.
A frustrated Eritrea has said there is no need for more talks and that the international community should simply ensure the border ruling is implemented.
"A peaceful resolution involves accepting the decision of the boundary commission," Yemani Ghebremeskel, Eritrea's presidential chief of staff, said by telephone from the country's capital, Asmara. "Progress has been hampered every time because of Ethiopia's intransigence."
On March 10, lawyers for the two countries met members of the boundary commission for the first time in three years in an effort to resolve the stalemate. Eritrea, however, said after the talks that it was concerned that Ethiopia was trying to reopen negotiations instead of simply accepting the ruling on the frontier.
Eritrea was referring to a proposal, first made by Meles in 2004, that called for changes to the 2002 ruling, including exchanging land where villages may be divided by the border.
"Our position is well-known," Meles said. "There will be no surprises."
Ethiopia's proposals were illegal and unacceptable because they are calculated to undermine their binding peace agreement, Yemani said.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) -- Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi pressed neighboring Eritrea on Thursday to accept that negotiations are "the only sane option" for resolving the simmering tensions over the border between the two nations.
Meles was speaking after international mediators postponed talks that were scheduled for Friday in London to discuss the stalled demarcation of the border over which they went to war in 1998, fighting for two-and-a-half years. It was not immediately clear why the talks were delayed and no new date has been set.
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war, but their 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) border was never settled.
"I very much hope the other side recognizes that the only sane option is to sit together and discuss issues and try to resolve them through dialogue by peaceful means," Meles told reporters. "My hope is that some progress will be made. In the end, all conflicts have to be resolved through dialogue."
Eritrea, however, rejected calls for negotiations, saying implementation of their 2000 peace agreement will resolve their border dispute peacefully and legally.
Under the deal, both countries agreed to let an international boundary commission rule on the location of their frontier. They also agreed that the ruling would be final and binding.
The commission issued its ruling in 2002, but the decision has not been implemented because of Ethiopia's refusal to accept the awarding of the town of Badme and other territories to Eritrea.
A frustrated Eritrea has said there is no need for more talks and that the international community should simply ensure the border ruling is implemented.
"A peaceful resolution involves accepting the decision of the boundary commission," Yemani Ghebremeskel, Eritrea's presidential chief of staff, said by telephone from the country's capital, Asmara. "Progress has been hampered every time because of Ethiopia's intransigence."
On March 10, lawyers for the two countries met members of the boundary commission for the first time in three years in an effort to resolve the stalemate. Eritrea, however, said after the talks that it was concerned that Ethiopia was trying to reopen negotiations instead of simply accepting the ruling on the frontier.
Eritrea was referring to a proposal, first made by Meles in 2004, that called for changes to the 2002 ruling, including exchanging land where villages may be divided by the border.
"Our position is well-known," Meles said. "There will be no surprises."
Ethiopia's proposals were illegal and unacceptable because they are calculated to undermine their binding peace agreement, Yemani said.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
IFJ Condemns Eritrean Authorities Following “Bizarre and Cruel” Reimprisonment of Local Reporter
09/12/2005
The International Federation of Journalists today condemned the “cruel and indifferent” actions of the Eritrean government following the recent release and re-imprisonment of independent reporter Dawit Issac in Asmara.
The IFJ was reacting to the news that after Dawit Isaac, a journalist with Swedish and Eritrean dual nationality and founder of the now-banned weekly Setit, had been released from prison in mid-November he was put back in prison again two days after he was set free.
“This has been a bizarre and disturbing cycle of events,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “We must know if Dawit was ever officially released and if so why he was reimprisoned without clear explanations”.
On 19 November, Dawit was released from Karcheli Prison in the Eritrean capital of Asmara after more than four years in prison. However, he did not receive permission to leave the country and on 21 November he was re-incarcerated in the midst of reports that he had only been released to undergo medical examinations. Dawit was just able to telephone his wife and friends who have found refuge in Sweden, telling them he had just been freed from Karcheli prison in Asmara when, without explanation, he was put back in prison.
Both Dawit Isaac and 12 other colleagues have been locked away without trial and without access to his family and colleagues since the crackdown on the private media by Eritrean authorities in September 2001.
The IFJ is calling for the case of Dawit and the fate of his 12 colleagues to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of the European Union Foreign Ministers on 12 December in Brussels, in which the political situation in Eritrea is foreseen on the agenda.
“We are very disappointed at this tragic turn of events and hope that European leaders can initiate talks with the Eritrean authorities to finally achieve the lasting freedom of all of our colleagues jailed in Eritrea,” said Arne Konig, Vice President of the Swedish Journalists’ Union and Chair of the European Federation of Journalists. “Their continued incarceration is a gross violation of human rights and we will push for all 13 journalists to be released.
The Swedish Union of Journalists, backed by the International Federation of Journalists, had been campaigning vigorously for Dawit´s release in a barrage of letters and protests. “We are dismayed by recent developments and applaud ongoing efforts by our Swedish colleagues to secure the release of Dawit,” said White.
For further information contact: +32 2 235 2207The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
The International Federation of Journalists today condemned the “cruel and indifferent” actions of the Eritrean government following the recent release and re-imprisonment of independent reporter Dawit Issac in Asmara.
The IFJ was reacting to the news that after Dawit Isaac, a journalist with Swedish and Eritrean dual nationality and founder of the now-banned weekly Setit, had been released from prison in mid-November he was put back in prison again two days after he was set free.
“This has been a bizarre and disturbing cycle of events,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “We must know if Dawit was ever officially released and if so why he was reimprisoned without clear explanations”.
On 19 November, Dawit was released from Karcheli Prison in the Eritrean capital of Asmara after more than four years in prison. However, he did not receive permission to leave the country and on 21 November he was re-incarcerated in the midst of reports that he had only been released to undergo medical examinations. Dawit was just able to telephone his wife and friends who have found refuge in Sweden, telling them he had just been freed from Karcheli prison in Asmara when, without explanation, he was put back in prison.
Both Dawit Isaac and 12 other colleagues have been locked away without trial and without access to his family and colleagues since the crackdown on the private media by Eritrean authorities in September 2001.
The IFJ is calling for the case of Dawit and the fate of his 12 colleagues to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of the European Union Foreign Ministers on 12 December in Brussels, in which the political situation in Eritrea is foreseen on the agenda.
“We are very disappointed at this tragic turn of events and hope that European leaders can initiate talks with the Eritrean authorities to finally achieve the lasting freedom of all of our colleagues jailed in Eritrea,” said Arne Konig, Vice President of the Swedish Journalists’ Union and Chair of the European Federation of Journalists. “Their continued incarceration is a gross violation of human rights and we will push for all 13 journalists to be released.
The Swedish Union of Journalists, backed by the International Federation of Journalists, had been campaigning vigorously for Dawit´s release in a barrage of letters and protests. “We are dismayed by recent developments and applaud ongoing efforts by our Swedish colleagues to secure the release of Dawit,” said White.
For further information contact: +32 2 235 2207The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Don't support the organized destruction of your beloved country
By Habtom Yohannes
April 13 April 2006
It is your Eritrean and Swedish constitutional right to listen to the right hand of the dictator Isaias Afworki who is responsible for the indefinite incarceration of the Swedish-Eritrean national Dawit Isaac. His wife and children are living in Sweden among you. Would you dare to ask Yemane Gebreab about the whereabouts of Dawit Isaac and the other prisoners of conscience? And what their crimes are? And when they will be brought not to special kangaroo courts but to an independent constitutional court. If you do so, you might have an excuse to visit such a money-collecting meetings.
My respected compatriots,
These days you will go from different parts of Europe to Sweden to attend a meeting organised by the sole party in Eritrea: the Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Mr. Yemane Gebreab (Monkey) will address the meeting and probably the Eritrean Ambassador to Sweden (Ato Araya Desta ?) will sit on the right side of Ato Yemane Gebreab and Dr. Musse Misghina will sit on the left side of the party ideologue. Marx, Lenin and Engels.
What do you expect to hear from Mr. Yemane Gebreab and his cohorts? Those of you who have been visiting similar meetings in the past could dream and jot down blindly what the speech will be. Let alone from Yemane Gebreab nothing new is to be expected from President Isaias Afwerki of PFDJ. To expect something new from the apostles of Isaias is like expecting something new from the old mantra's of Mengistoe Hailemariam.
Let me guess some of the ingredients of Ato Yemane's Easter speech:
{{ 1. Ethiopia's refusal to accept the final & binding of the decision of EEBC,
2. Weyane's intransigence; the huge internal problems of Ethiopia. That Weyane is undemocratic and unconstitutional,
3. The West led by the United States of America has been pampering Ethiopia at the cost of Eritrea and the Eritrean people,
4. The Eritrean government has successfully foiled different initiatives to derail the legality of the EEBC-decision,
5. The international community, except Libya, China, Cuba, North Korea and the Republic of Belarus (Lukashenko), is the enemy of the Eritrean people,
6. Against all these odds the Eritrean Government together with the Eritrean Defence Forces will foil these international conspiracies against Eritrea. We will certainly foil them if you, our youth in the Diaspora, stand with us in this patriotic struggle. You have done so in the past - we are very grateful - for that, and we are certain you will continue to support us until victory is achieved,
7. We know the Weyanes, supported by Eritrean sell-outs and traitors will not rest until they seize the ports of Eritrea. But this is only a dream as long us you remain with us,…etcetra.
8. The wonderful achievements of Warsay Yikaalo… }}
He will add to these verses the marvellous economic achievements of the country on the economic level (oil, gold), infrastructural accomplishments of PFDJ and the harvest that feeds not only the Eritrean people but the whole continent. We have offered the hungry Ethiopian people help but they have rejected it,
On the diplomatic level we have been achieving wonderful results. Even the international community and the ever-brotherly government of the Sudan have asked us to bring peace in The Sudan. And as ever before we are doing our best to achieve peace and democracy in our neighbour Sudan,
After the unforgettable speech of Mr. Yemane Gebreab, you will go the dance floor (wegah tibel leyti, dance until down) and Sunday and Monday will arrive. And nothing, not a yota, will change. You have "enjoyed" the festivities, PFDJ will earn money but the Eritrean people will continue to suffer under the regime you support blindly.
Be sure that Ato Yeman Gebreab won't talk about:
1. Why the Eritrean regime has failed diplomatically on almost all fields, even on the border issue while Eritrea has the moral ground on every bit of it?
2. The Constitution of Eritrea (ask him when it will be implemented?),
3. Why the only Eritrean psychiatrist and Eritrean orthodox clergy, Dr. Fitsum Gebrengus has been in detention without any trial together with other intellectual clergy of the Orthodox Church of Eritrea?
4. Why His Holiness, the Eritrean Patriarch Abune Antonios, is removed from power by laymen, like Yuftahe Dimetros with the support of the Eritrean regime.
5. Why the Eritrean regimes have been persecuting believers for believing what they believe as long as they abide by the law, which is none-existent in Eritrea since the Constitution is not implemented. You can’t run a country for ever by decrees and charters?
6. Why the Eritrean regime doesn’t bring the G-11 and other prisoners of conscience to trial?
7. If all the prisoners of conscience are alive; if they are at all alive, why they don't get any visit from their family?
8. Why are innumerable Eritrean youth flocking to neighbouring countries, even to Ethiopia?
9. Why are the Eritrean peoples cursing the Eritrean leaders daily for the predicaments they are in?
10. Why do we have toothless "Eritrean Parliament" and "Eritrean Cabinet of Ministers"? Why is the budget of the country unknown to the Eritrean Parliament or to anybody else except to Isaias and his cohorts?
11. Why are generals and pseudo generals running the country instead of capable administrators?
12. Why are university teachers, university students fleeing the country whenever they get the chance to do so; the courageous students in South Africa?
13. Does the respected gentleman Yemane Gebreab know the whereabouts of the Eritrean journalists -some of whom former fighters for independence like Fessahaye Yohannes, Joshua- who disappeared in 2001 without trace? As the G11 and other prisoners of conscience, nobody knows where they are imprisoned and if they are alive? 5 years long in prison!
14. The Eritrean-Swedish journalist Dawit Isaac is one of them! Ask Yemane Gebreab about him! The wife and children of Dawit Isaac are in Sweden where you are listening to him who is responsible for the misery of the country.
15. Yemane Gebreab won't talk about responsibility and transparency. For they all are accountable to the only god in Eritrea: Isaias Afwerki.
And much more sensitive issues won't be raised. The organisers, the PFDJ, will ask for your money and not for your vote! They are not interested in your vote. They have confiscated your vote without your consent.
My Eritrean youth wake up! Please don't cooperate anymore in the organised destruction of your country. History and I hope your conscience too will hold you accountable for keeping your eyes blind and your ears deaf for the sufferings of your people.
Save Journey to Sweden and back home.
Have a blessed Easter.
And remember those Eritreans who are going to "celeberate" Easter in the dungeons of Ato Yemane Gebreab and Ato Isaias Afwerki. Please ask about them!
Reactions are welcome: habtomy@asmarino.com
Habtom Yohannes
April 13, 2006
April 13 April 2006
It is your Eritrean and Swedish constitutional right to listen to the right hand of the dictator Isaias Afworki who is responsible for the indefinite incarceration of the Swedish-Eritrean national Dawit Isaac. His wife and children are living in Sweden among you. Would you dare to ask Yemane Gebreab about the whereabouts of Dawit Isaac and the other prisoners of conscience? And what their crimes are? And when they will be brought not to special kangaroo courts but to an independent constitutional court. If you do so, you might have an excuse to visit such a money-collecting meetings.
My respected compatriots,
These days you will go from different parts of Europe to Sweden to attend a meeting organised by the sole party in Eritrea: the Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Mr. Yemane Gebreab (Monkey) will address the meeting and probably the Eritrean Ambassador to Sweden (Ato Araya Desta ?) will sit on the right side of Ato Yemane Gebreab and Dr. Musse Misghina will sit on the left side of the party ideologue. Marx, Lenin and Engels.
What do you expect to hear from Mr. Yemane Gebreab and his cohorts? Those of you who have been visiting similar meetings in the past could dream and jot down blindly what the speech will be. Let alone from Yemane Gebreab nothing new is to be expected from President Isaias Afwerki of PFDJ. To expect something new from the apostles of Isaias is like expecting something new from the old mantra's of Mengistoe Hailemariam.
Let me guess some of the ingredients of Ato Yemane's Easter speech:
{{ 1. Ethiopia's refusal to accept the final & binding of the decision of EEBC,
2. Weyane's intransigence; the huge internal problems of Ethiopia. That Weyane is undemocratic and unconstitutional,
3. The West led by the United States of America has been pampering Ethiopia at the cost of Eritrea and the Eritrean people,
4. The Eritrean government has successfully foiled different initiatives to derail the legality of the EEBC-decision,
5. The international community, except Libya, China, Cuba, North Korea and the Republic of Belarus (Lukashenko), is the enemy of the Eritrean people,
6. Against all these odds the Eritrean Government together with the Eritrean Defence Forces will foil these international conspiracies against Eritrea. We will certainly foil them if you, our youth in the Diaspora, stand with us in this patriotic struggle. You have done so in the past - we are very grateful - for that, and we are certain you will continue to support us until victory is achieved,
7. We know the Weyanes, supported by Eritrean sell-outs and traitors will not rest until they seize the ports of Eritrea. But this is only a dream as long us you remain with us,…etcetra.
8. The wonderful achievements of Warsay Yikaalo… }}
He will add to these verses the marvellous economic achievements of the country on the economic level (oil, gold), infrastructural accomplishments of PFDJ and the harvest that feeds not only the Eritrean people but the whole continent. We have offered the hungry Ethiopian people help but they have rejected it,
On the diplomatic level we have been achieving wonderful results. Even the international community and the ever-brotherly government of the Sudan have asked us to bring peace in The Sudan. And as ever before we are doing our best to achieve peace and democracy in our neighbour Sudan,
After the unforgettable speech of Mr. Yemane Gebreab, you will go the dance floor (wegah tibel leyti, dance until down) and Sunday and Monday will arrive. And nothing, not a yota, will change. You have "enjoyed" the festivities, PFDJ will earn money but the Eritrean people will continue to suffer under the regime you support blindly.
Be sure that Ato Yeman Gebreab won't talk about:
1. Why the Eritrean regime has failed diplomatically on almost all fields, even on the border issue while Eritrea has the moral ground on every bit of it?
2. The Constitution of Eritrea (ask him when it will be implemented?),
3. Why the only Eritrean psychiatrist and Eritrean orthodox clergy, Dr. Fitsum Gebrengus has been in detention without any trial together with other intellectual clergy of the Orthodox Church of Eritrea?
4. Why His Holiness, the Eritrean Patriarch Abune Antonios, is removed from power by laymen, like Yuftahe Dimetros with the support of the Eritrean regime.
5. Why the Eritrean regimes have been persecuting believers for believing what they believe as long as they abide by the law, which is none-existent in Eritrea since the Constitution is not implemented. You can’t run a country for ever by decrees and charters?
6. Why the Eritrean regime doesn’t bring the G-11 and other prisoners of conscience to trial?
7. If all the prisoners of conscience are alive; if they are at all alive, why they don't get any visit from their family?
8. Why are innumerable Eritrean youth flocking to neighbouring countries, even to Ethiopia?
9. Why are the Eritrean peoples cursing the Eritrean leaders daily for the predicaments they are in?
10. Why do we have toothless "Eritrean Parliament" and "Eritrean Cabinet of Ministers"? Why is the budget of the country unknown to the Eritrean Parliament or to anybody else except to Isaias and his cohorts?
11. Why are generals and pseudo generals running the country instead of capable administrators?
12. Why are university teachers, university students fleeing the country whenever they get the chance to do so; the courageous students in South Africa?
13. Does the respected gentleman Yemane Gebreab know the whereabouts of the Eritrean journalists -some of whom former fighters for independence like Fessahaye Yohannes, Joshua- who disappeared in 2001 without trace? As the G11 and other prisoners of conscience, nobody knows where they are imprisoned and if they are alive? 5 years long in prison!
14. The Eritrean-Swedish journalist Dawit Isaac is one of them! Ask Yemane Gebreab about him! The wife and children of Dawit Isaac are in Sweden where you are listening to him who is responsible for the misery of the country.
15. Yemane Gebreab won't talk about responsibility and transparency. For they all are accountable to the only god in Eritrea: Isaias Afwerki.
And much more sensitive issues won't be raised. The organisers, the PFDJ, will ask for your money and not for your vote! They are not interested in your vote. They have confiscated your vote without your consent.
My Eritrean youth wake up! Please don't cooperate anymore in the organised destruction of your country. History and I hope your conscience too will hold you accountable for keeping your eyes blind and your ears deaf for the sufferings of your people.
Save Journey to Sweden and back home.
Have a blessed Easter.
And remember those Eritreans who are going to "celeberate" Easter in the dungeons of Ato Yemane Gebreab and Ato Isaias Afwerki. Please ask about them!
Reactions are welcome: habtomy@asmarino.com
Habtom Yohannes
April 13, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Analysis: Eritrea's 'public distribution system' tested by adversity
Ravinder RenaSpecial to the Middle East TimesApril 20, 2006MAI-NEFHI, Eritrea -- The Eritrea government pledged last year to reduce the inflation rate. Inflation, which had remained manageable following the country's independence in 1993, has been consistently high since 1998 mainly as a result of the war and drought, monetary expansion for deficit financing, and the depreciation of the Nakfa. Prices of many essential commodities have jumped by several hundred percent owing to the 1998-2000 border war with Ethiopia. Unsurprisingly, the poor have been hit hardest. Agricultural growth has fluctuated significantly year-by-year, largely due to weather conditions, while Eritrea's food security has not improved. But greater rainfall last year helped the agricultural sector and bettered food security in the country. In line with its taking the challenge in May 2005 to lower inflation, the Eritrean government established the Hidri Distribution Company along with Dukan Rithawi Waga, or "Fair Price Shops", to distribute sugar, sorghum, wheat, the cereal taff, coffee, tea powder, lentils and other essential items, at below-market prices. The government directed state-owned Hidri Distribution to sell these foods at cut prices - some commodities as low as 50 percent under market prices. In this way the government has been able to hold prices down. A public distribution system (PDS) was set up and based on purchasing goods from farmers at low prices, thereby both providing farmers with guaranteed sales and households with food grain at minimum prices, while creating buffer stocks. This method has already worked successfully in densely populated countries like India, China and many other developing countries. The PDS is unable to provide all the answers, however, to Eritrea's food, fiscal, welfare and development policy needs. Despite it achieving a fairly good level of production in cereals, food insecurity in Eritrea continues to trouble some 1.5 million people. Drought results in malnutrition and acute distress every lean season. This has been acutely so for the last six years. And food insecurity is worsening every season in Eritrea. This widespread problem demands long-term measures, structural-institutional changes and a rewriting of priorities, policies and systems of socio-economic management. Several leading policies and programs, such as the Food Security Strategy and the Poverty Alleviation Strategy, are also helping by accelerating food production. But even though dampening market prices has increased the volume of procured and unsold grain, it has become clear that the production increase will not be sufficient to eradicate hunger. The cost to the state to guarantee minimum support prices to growers can be considered as a consumer subsidy only if the food is actually purchased by the target households. There has been an involuntary addition to food stocks beyond the buffer requirements, brought about by ignoring the price-income frontier or the affordability and preference pattern of the target users. Products supplied by PDS have been diverted to the wealthier sections of the population. Can any public expenditure that does not reach and benefit the target persons, be treated as a 'subsidy' for them? Of course not. A deficit becomes a subsidy only if that service is consumed by the intended citizens. Anyone may shop at Fair Price Shops, including the wealthy and foreign residents. But it would be better to target the poor - and exclude the successful businessmen, highly paid employees, farmers with marketable output - by means of special entitlement cards, distributed directly by officials through a door-to-door survey in each village and slum. This approach will reduce the government burden and stop the diversion of goods away from the underprivileged. Furthermore, other essential items may be added to the existing list of commodities, which can further control the prices. This analysis of PDS mechanics and its interface with households as consuming entities is especially relevant in light of recent developments with the Fair Price Shops in Eritrea. Ravinder Rena is an assistant professor of economics at the Eritrea Institute of Technology and Teacher Education in Mai-Nefhi, Eritrea
Saturday, April 08, 2006
وسط غياب المنظمات الدولية : تزايد تدفقات اللاجئين الإرتريين إلى السودان
كسلا : وكالاتقدم وفد برلماني بالسودان، صوراً قاتمة للأوضاع الصحية وأوضاع اللاجئين بولايتي كسلا والقضارف، واكد استمرار تدفقات اللاجئين الارتريين الى البلاد، في وقت تراجعت فيه المنظمات الدولية عن النهوض بأدوارها تجاههم.
قال نائب رئيس لجنة الشؤون الانسانية بالمجلس الوطني، حسب الرسول عامر، لـ «الصحافة» ان وفد مشتركاً من لجنته ولجنة الصحة وتنمية المجتمع انهى زيارة اخيراً، الى ولايتي القضارف وكسلا، وقف خلالها على اوضاع النازحين واللاجئين والاوضاع الصحية بالولايتين، مبيناً ان معسكرات اللاجئين التي تأوى اكثر من (76) ألف لاجيء تعاني مشكلات حقيقية تتمثل في انعدام المياه الصالحة وعدم توفر الرعاية الصحية لهم، مما يدفعهم الى الذهاب الى المدن الكبيرة لتلقي العلاج، فضلاً عن اعتمادهم على قطع الاشجار للحصول على القوت، مما يلقي بتأثيرات سالبة على البيئة.ودعا عامر، المنظمات الدولية التي تخلت عن دورها - على حد تعبيره - لتحمل مسؤوليتها.وذكر ان تدفقات اللاجئين الارتريين لازالت مستمرة بمعدل 40 - 60 شخصا من صغار السن والنساء في اليوم، مشيراً الى انحسار أعداد اللاجئين المحصورين في المعسكرات لتسللهم الى المدن الكبرى، ومن بينها الخرطوم.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Eritrea blames power cuts on supplier’s shortage of oil
Friday 31 March 2006 16:30.
Mar 31, 2006 (ASMARA) — Eritrea blamed recent severe power cuts on a supplier’s shortage of lubricant oil, denying speculation the outages were caused by a lack of foreign currency to buy fuel to generate power.
"The suppliers of this lubricant oil informed all the countries who import it that for a short time there will be a shortage of it," Information Minister Ali Abdu said.
"The ministry of energy has meticulously planned the distribution time frame of electricity in order not to affect the life and work of the citizens," he told AFP. "In the meantime, the ministry is also engaged in a rural electrification project in 60 villages."
In towns such as the capital Asmara power cuts were extremely rare before this month, but since then they have been occurring almost every day, usually in the evenings for around three hours.
Several diplomatic sources said the government was facing an acute foreign currency shortage and that the cuts could be linked to difficulties in financing the import of diesel to fuel the country’s main electric plant.
But Ali Abdu denied this.
"The cuts are not related to a shortage of diesel and they will not last a long time," he said. "It is a temporary measure until the suppliers can provide more lubricant oil."
Diesel in petrol stations in Eritrea has been rationed since last year. Several taxi drivers said that until last week they were allowed 100 litres (26 gallons) of diesel a month, but that since it had been reduced by half.
"I’ll have to buy the rest on the black market," one taxi driver said.
Mar 31, 2006 (ASMARA) — Eritrea blamed recent severe power cuts on a supplier’s shortage of lubricant oil, denying speculation the outages were caused by a lack of foreign currency to buy fuel to generate power.
"The suppliers of this lubricant oil informed all the countries who import it that for a short time there will be a shortage of it," Information Minister Ali Abdu said.
"The ministry of energy has meticulously planned the distribution time frame of electricity in order not to affect the life and work of the citizens," he told AFP. "In the meantime, the ministry is also engaged in a rural electrification project in 60 villages."
In towns such as the capital Asmara power cuts were extremely rare before this month, but since then they have been occurring almost every day, usually in the evenings for around three hours.
Several diplomatic sources said the government was facing an acute foreign currency shortage and that the cuts could be linked to difficulties in financing the import of diesel to fuel the country’s main electric plant.
But Ali Abdu denied this.
"The cuts are not related to a shortage of diesel and they will not last a long time," he said. "It is a temporary measure until the suppliers can provide more lubricant oil."
Diesel in petrol stations in Eritrea has been rationed since last year. Several taxi drivers said that until last week they were allowed 100 litres (26 gallons) of diesel a month, but that since it had been reduced by half.
"I’ll have to buy the rest on the black market," one taxi driver said.
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