|
Press
Release
Eritreans for Human and Democratic Rights - United Kingdom
In accordance to its
Mission Statement, Eritreans for Human and Democratic Rights - United Kingdom (EHDR-UK) has
successfully conducted the first phase of an intensive letter writing
campaign in and around UK.
Letters were sent to various government officials, International
Agencies and Human Rights groups.
Preparations are underway for the second phase of the
campaign.
EHDR-UK calls upon
all democratic forces and civic societies to take similar actions in and
around their host countries.
London 22 March 2002
A sample Letter
Sub: Letter of
Appeal
We, Eritreans for
Human and Democratic Rights - UK, are a group of concerned Eritreans
organised to challenge the human and democratic abuses in Eritrea and
hence, raise people's awareness regarding the uncertain situation our
country finds itself in.
Our country’s future
and the welfare of our citizens are brimming with danger. The current
leader, President Isaias Afewerki, and his PFDJ party have arrested the
aspirations of the people by blocking the passages towards democracy,
justice and the rule of law for which the Eritrean people fought bitterly
for over a generation. Tens of thousands gave their precious lives and
many more were disabled for that noble cause.
The broken promises
were further exposed by the recent resolutions passed by the 14th
session of the National Assembly that was held between 29 Jan and 2 Feb,
2002. Not much was expected
from its deliberations, nevertheless, it showed us the subsequent
intentions of President Isaias Afewerki's unruly conduct. It is evident that the members of
the National Assembly were forced to follow instructions from the
President's Office to:
·
Condemn and try
the unlawfully detained high ex-government officials for treason,
·
Indefinitely
postpone national elections,
·
Indefinitely
postpone the formation of political parties,
·
Give the
President absolute power to take calculated measures against the detained
officials.
·
Sanction the
Press Law in accordance to government's advantages.
Worst of all, the
assembly failed to mention the need to introduce a constitutional
government. In other words, the President successfully legalised his
dominance.
It must be remembered
that many more citizens have been detained over the decade without charge
under various pretexts contrived by the government, and without the right
to confront their accusers or employ a defence lawyer. We must also not
forget the detention of journalists, the closure of the private
newspapers and the firing of numerous officials who expressed concern
over the government's handling of the current dilemma. In addition, there is widespread
detention, kidnapping and other forms of abuse in Eritrea that go
unreported.
We realise that some concern is being expressed at international
level regarding the sad and dangerous situation in Eritrea. For instance, concerns were
expressed by:
·
The EU: the
recent stand taken by EU is significant because it resonates the plight
of the Eritrean people and exposes the undemocratic governance in
Eritrea
·
Amnesty
International: Eritrea: Worsening human rights crisis, AI Index: AFR
64/001/2002, Publish date: 07/02/2002
·
Human Rights
Watch: Escalating Crackdown in Eritrea (Human Rights Watch Press release,
New York, September 21, 2001)
·
Country Reports
on Human Rights Practices - 2001 Released by the Bureau of
Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, March 4, 2002
·
Various Eritrean
parties and Civic Society groups:
·
Eritrean Peoples
Liberation Front - Democratic Party
1.
Alliance of
Eritrean Forces
2.
Eritreans for
Justice and Democracy - Benelux
3.
Eritreans for
Peace and Democracy - Switzerland
4.
Popular Movement
for Democracy in Eritrea - Sweden
5.
Eritreans for
Human and Democratic Rights - UK
… and many more
However, we feel that
more direct, effective and urgent actions will be needed by the world
community to bring the government to its senses. Although severely muzzled and
harassed the 'Mugabe' style,
the Eritrean people are crying out for help. As concerned Eritreans, we
are trying our best to voice our people's plea but we need help from well
established, principled, respected and tested organisations like yours to
avert the unfolding crisis in Eritrea. If Eritrea does not get the attention it deserves now
it will be too late by the time we witness another “failed state” in the
Horn of Africa.
We appeal to you to
intervene in any capacity you can and support the Eritrean people. We are
determined to make a difference and to do that we need your help.
Yours sincerely,
EHDR-UK
|
