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PRESS
RELEASE
NECS-Europe
London, 12 Sep 2003
Eritrea’s abuse of its citizens is now a well-established and documented fact. Various governments, respectable human rights groups and international agencies have also provided a gloomy assessment of the current situation in Eritrea. In other words, Eritrea is in peril. The range of abuses is widespread and the influence of the government’s security services have become pervasive. Regrettably, persecution, imprisonment and disappearances of citizens have intensified.
To discuss these negative developments, in July 2002, representatives of ten Eritrean Civil Societies in Europe conferred for three days in the Netherlands. That conference paved the way for the formation of Network of Eritrean Civil Societies – Europe (NECS-Europe), helping to build a strategy to shape a better organised community based on the promotion of our people’s rights.
Twenty-six representatives from twelve civil societies located in seven countries (Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Benelux and the United Kingdom) gathered in London on 5-7 Sep 2003 to assess NECS-Europe’s operations and to re-draw strategies based on this year’s new developments inside and outside the country. After the participants evaluated the policies and activities of the past year critically, they contributed, through an exchange of experiences between the various societies, to strategies for social, economic and political change.
NECS-Europe has made progress on a variety of key issues identified during the consultation weekend.
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After pledging the importance of remaining independent of any political party, the participants earnestly reasserted their conviction to stay engaged in activities that will bring change in Eritrea.
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The participants discussed the potential and limitations of their activities. After asserting that civil societies have no political ambitions, the participants re-affirmed that they would not draw back from any political activity that is deemed to improve our people’s lives. Moreover, the participants declared that their primary roles are to sponsor activities that would support the public, to play bridging roles between the public and political institutions and to keep an eye on the activities of government and the opposition with regards to human and democratic rights abuses.
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The participants ratified the NECS-Europe’s Constitution.
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The participants endorsed the designing of media channels (Website, publications, use of the airwaves).
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The participants affirmed the importance of instituting a symposium of all change-seeking forces and hence set up a research team to study the theme of ‘National Conference’.
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NECS-Europe’s strategy, developed as a response to Government of Eritrea’s repressive measures, together with the commitment and enthusiasm of affiliated societies and individual members involved, have put the organisation well on the way to making a real difference.
Network of Eritrean Civil Societies – Europe
12 September 2003
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