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OPEN LETTER TO MEMBERS OF THE
ERITREAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
From: Eritreans for Human and Democratic
Rights - UK
Subject: Protest / Appeal.
Dear honourable
members,
The situation in our
country is at a crossroads.
The prevalent unstable situation
is contrary to our martyrs’ promises. The current state of affairs favours supporters of the
regime and continually fails to consider the plight of the opposition and
non-supporter groups. Due to
the fact that the current system falls short from representing the
interests of Eritrean citizens, we have decided to send you this message
of protest and appeal.
The economy of our
country has collapsed - its infrastructure is in ruins, business has come
to a standstill and there is widespread unemployment. In addition to the economic
collapse, Eritreans are living in constant fear
and trepidation. This has forced our people to flee their country
and those in diaspora are not returning
to Eritrea as expected. In short, we believe that you are aware of the precarious living conditions of our
people.
Due to the
above-mentioned uncertainties, our country and citizens are facing
serious hazards. Firstly, we believe the primary objective should be that
of our national salvation.
Secondly, in order to achieve this historic objective, we are
convinced that citizens should be organised around crucial national
issues. That is why we, Eritreans in the UK, have formed the organisation
called “Eritreans for Human and Democratic
Rights – UK”. Through such an organisation,
alongside others with similar objectives, we will be in a better position
to challenge the human and democratic rights
abuses in our country.
Our
principal mission is to promote and defend human and democratic rights of
all Eritrean citizens inside and outside Eritrea. These
basic rights are now being openly and constantly violated; and we
strongly express our objection to such violations. Based on the above
stated principles, we appeal to you, Members of the National Assembly, to
take an historic stand in your current deliberations so that our
country will be saved from the uncertain and dangerous state it is in.
To begin
with, we were extremely shocked and concerned by your silence and inaction when:
·
Eleven of your fellow members were
kidnapped from their homes by the security forces;
·
university students were damped in
the inhospitable Wia area just because they chose to stand for their
rights;
·
newspaper editors and journalists
were incarcerated and exiled;
·
the president of the high court was
dismissed from his post
…etc.
Your
silence has offended many Eritreans. Was your oath to remain silent? Did
you not pledge to uphold the rule of law and protect citizens' rights?
Every citizen has noticed your failure in opposing many of the unlawful
decisions taken by the office of the President, decisions which put our
country in great danger. We hope that you realise you will
be held responsible for your inaction.
As you know, Eritrean
independence was achieved through the bloody sacrifices of its young
fighters. And we hope that
you realise the time has come for change. We appeal to you to do some soul-searching and make
the right decisions to save Eritrea. We urge you to take note of the
following stark realities:
- Eritrea is being ruled by a one-man
dictatorship.
- It has been widely witnessed that your
role, let alone ordinary Eritreans, in running the affairs of the
country is minimal.
- As the
result of the above-cited inadequacies, Eritrea
finds itself in constant danger.
- Due to poor diplomacy and arrogant
approaches of the leadership, Eritrea finds itself isolated from the
world community
- Eritrea's isolation
from the world community has resulted in the loss of various
benefits and its appeals are repeatedly being ignored.
6.
Conscientious and skilled citizens
inside and outside the country are facing major obstructions in their
endeavours to contribute to the welfare of their country.
- In its attempt to cover up its failures
and silence the critics, the Eritrean Government is carrying out a
widespread terror campaign against its own citizens, and many have
fallen victims to such brutalities.
- Due to the government's hostile demeanour,
many citizens in the diaspora are alienated and are giving up the
hope of returning to Eritrea. Consequently, the country is losing
invaluable source of benefits from its first and second-generation
citizens.
Honourable members of
the Eritrean National Assembly,
Based on the above
realities, we demand the following:
1.
The immediate introduction of a constitutional
and lawful system of government in our country.
2.
The release of all political
prisoners.
3.
The re-institution of
the suspended independent press.
4.
The implementation of the laws on
political parties and on the reassembling of the Election Commission.
5.
The allocation of high priority to the issue of
reconciliation.
We
believe that it is our duty to remind you of the wrong course our country
is taking. The people of
Eritrea and the world at large are hoping that you will play a
responsible role in saving the nation. We appeal this to you in the name of our martyrs.
Glory to our Martyrs.
Eritreans for Human
and Democratic Rights - UK
London, 28 January
2002
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