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Successful
demonstration outside Eritrean Embassy in London
A
successful demonstration was held outside Eritrean Embassy in London
today, Friday 10th 2004. The
demonstration was organised by Civil Societies and opposition groups based
in the UK. Eritreans who live
in London and in other parts of the country used their right to protest
and their right of free speech to condemn the massacre in Adi Abeito. The demonstration was also aimed to coincide with Human
Rights Day. Around 150 people
turned out on the cold Friday afternoon holding banners saying:
·
We condemn the massacre in
Adi Abeito;
·
Let
justice and the rule of law reign;
·
We
want a constitutional government;
·
The
rights of Eritrean youth and people should be respected;
·
The
injustices against our youth must stop;
·
Justice
is a fundamental right not a gift from a government;
·
No to
slavery, no to injustice;
·
Free
all political prisoners now;
·
Stop
religious persecution;
·
Peace
and justice in Eritrea;
·
Religious
freedom for all Eritreans .....etc
A
letter containing the demands of the demonstrators was handed to the
Embassy staff. The
demonstration was peaceful and good-natured.
Eritrean Embassy staff and their supporters were busy filming the
demonstrators from darkened offices inside the Embassy building
reminiscent of the olden days when Eritreans were demonstrating outside
Ethiopian Embassy to demand their right for self determination and the
Embassy staff intimidating them by taking pictures.
Reports
that reached us later indicate that Embassy staff had a meeting and were
surprised by the number of people who turned up and have decided to do
something to make sure that it doesn't happen again. Whatever that means, all we can say is that we live in a
country where people are free to express their views and any interference
with that basic freedom is not tolerated.
We long for the day when Eritreans in Eritrea can do the same.
London
10 Dec 2004
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