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London, 25 Mar 2002
Press Release
Applauding Amnesty
International
We,
Eritreans for Human and Democratic Rights - UK, are aware of the
commendable efforts Amnesty International has undertaken in reporting the
gross humanitarian and democratic violations that are taking place in
Eritrea. We are grateful to AI for inducing a sense of hope among the
Eritrean people. We believe AI has spoken out on behalf of the oppressed
and the suffering.
The
situation in Eritrea regarding the violation of human and democratic
rights has escalated dramatically.
The State Authorities have denied the Eritrean people, who fought
for over three decades to secure their human dignity, self-determination
and democratic rights, to enjoy their lives. The single ruling party
which is in power and being led by President Isaias Afewerki - People’s Front for Democracy and
Justice (PFDJ) - is not elected by the Eritrean people and has failed
in securing the human and democratic rights of the people which are
rightly and deservedly theirs.
Not only has PFDJ proven its incapability to represent Eritrea's
interest, but it has also failed to respect the human and democratic
rights of the Eritrean people. In fact, it has become an active violator
of these rights by:
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Charging the pro-reform ex-officials for treason.
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Imprisoning and persecuting critics.
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Intimidating those who are opting for change.
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Denying journalists to perform their duties.
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Discharging civil servants for their pro-reform
opinions.
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Muzzling students for standing up for their
rights.
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Denying Eritrean the freedom of expression and
association.
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Prompting the exodus of the young to the
neighbouring countries.
Additionally,
in today's Eritrea, laws are repeatedly violated, justice is heedlessly
trampled, the formation of other parties is prohibited, and passage
towards a constitutional government is deliberately blocked.
By
recognising the need for extra endeavours, to take urgent actions to
effect change in Eritrea, to compliment and to cooperate with
Eritrea-sensitive organisations such as AI, we have formed an independent
organisation under the name of Eritrean
Human and Democratic Rights-UK (EHDR-UK). For further information
please refer to our Mission Statement. In accordance with our Mission
Statement, we shall strive to exert every pressure necessary to make the
Eritrean Authorities respect the above-mentioned rights of the Eritrean
people.
Although
governments with the potential to make a difference are busying
themselves with the conflicts around the world, Amnesty International, in
accordance with the Declaration of the Human Rights Act, is remarkably
dealing with issues that have ensnared Eritrea. We are encouraged by the fact that AI is aware of the
essential needs for a consistent and resourceful means to be directed
towards a small country like Eritrea. We believe that by working together
with AI we can achieve the desired exposure which will extend in the
prevention of another human tragedy from taking place in the Horn of
Africa. To this end we stand ready to do whatever possible to bring
relief to Eritreans who are victims of government abuses. We are willing
to co-operate with AI by discussing, exchanging views and learning from
your vast experiences on areas of approach that will possibly save
Eritrean citizens from abusive actions.
EHDR - UK
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