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EHDR-UK
Remembers Eritrean Prisoners of Conscience
London, 18 Sep 2003
High-ranking
officials, journalists and elders remain in detention without charge
since September 18, 2001.
They have been languishing in secret locations without any contact
with their loved ones. Our thoughts, however, are in no way limited to
these particular individuals but to all Eritreans who find themselves
behind bars for many years. As one Eritrean journalist who managed to
flee the country said it last year, ‘we cannot have the luxury of
forgetting them because they symbolise the absence of rule of law,
freedom of speech and constitutionality in Eritrea’.
Sep 18 is an important date to note because it
is the day when tyranny decisively replaced the little ray of democracy
which began to grow in Eritrea.
Although there were many signs of unfair practices in Eritrea, Sep
18 is the day on which many Eritreans felt the violent tremor of
dictatorship.
EHDR-UK is of the opinion that the Eritrean
people are under no illusion to see a democratic Eritrea without any
struggle. With the support
of conscientious citizens and the international community Eritrea will be
a humane and democratic country.
As always the Eritrea people have simple and
basic demands, which include:
1. The
implementation of the Eritrean constitution with a subsequent institution
of press freedom and multiparty system.
2. Release
of all political prisoners and/or a fair trial in an open court.
3. Establishment
of free press.
4. Demobilisation
of the young Eritrean conscripts.
Glory to all Eritrean Martyrs,
Let civility prevail in Eritrea.
Board of Directors
EHDR-UK
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