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‘Hzbawi MeKete’
Vs
Civil Society
London 12 January 2003
The rapid emergence of Eritrean Civil societies
in the Diaspora is a sign of the times. Their birth is undoubtedly a response to the
lack of civil liberties in Eritrea. Understandably, the only safe place
where civil societies can burgeon is in Diaspora. Eritrean activists, who are
concerned with the escalation of human rights abuses in Eritrea, are
forming independent organisations everywhere. These organisations are seen as a big threat by the government
and their PFDJ operatives.
PFDJ’s main concern is the unprecedented
challenge it is receiving from the public through organisations not
affiliated to any political organisations. People in Diaspora have started to question the
government’s human rights abuses, bad social and economic policies, its
heavy-handedness on critics, its persecution of journalists, its
uncooperative attitudes towards the international community, which in
turn are affecting the well-being of the population inside and outside
the country.
Historically, the government, through its tight
network in communities inside and outside the country, waged war on
opposition groups and had quite a reputation in mobilising its resources
to deal with them ruthlessly.
The spontaneous emergence of the new movements, on the contrary,
has created anxiety among the leadership, and they have resorted to
creating a counter offensive under the guise of Hzbawi MeKete.
The creation of the Hzbawi MeKet’ is a
sign of government’s nervousness in dealing with the new public
awareness. Many observers
are not surprised at its reaction to withstand the pressure by sending
its re-trained cadres abroad to disperse the current movement based on
human and democratic rights of people. Members of the Hzbawi MeKete act like
government agents who inform the government on activities and identities
of activists and critics.
They target and intimidate those who speak out against injustice,
attend peace rallies participate in demonstration. Many Eritreans who purchased
government bonds and bought land in Eritrea are being blackmailed by Hzbawi
MeKete if they express opinions on the ongoing debates against
government’s handlings.
EHDR-UK believes that people should have the
right to challenge and criticise governments because it is their
prerogative to do so. People should have the right to express their
opinions freely and should also have the right of free association. The cadres of Hzbawi
MeKete, not only do they instruct people not to join the civil
societies, but they also advice their followers to disrupt pro-human and
democracy rallies.
Hizbawi Mekete was made to appear a
spontaneous popular movement. However, its militant leaders are
individuals picked by the PFDJ and given the mission to counter the genuine
demand of the civil societies in Eritrean communities abroad. The claims and arguments they
present in their rallies is that they are the true nationalists and
others are worthless traitors.
While living in the West and enjoying their
democratic and human rights to the maximum, it is neither fair nor just
to deny others to enjoy and exercise their democratic and human
rights. Their motto is to
render public blind obedience to the government and their action is, as
witnessed in the chantingly passed resolutions at the end of their
sessions, to remain ‘vigilant’ and keep those who are demanding for their
basic rights in check.
Fortunately, there are laws in Europe protecting
individuals from any threat and intimidation. Individuals and civil movements
should not shy away from using the legal avenues that are available to
them should they feel threatened and intimidated by Hzbawi MeKete. It is heartening to know
that civil societies in Europe are developing peaceful and legal means to
counter the unnecessary pressure that comes through Hzbawi MeKete’s
activities.
May Human Rights be respected, and may democracy
and the rule of law flourish!
Eritreans for Human and Democratic Rights - UK
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