Addressed to His Majesty King Willem Alexander and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands through Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans, the EPDP condolence message stated that Eritreans in diaspora are joining the rest of the world in consoling His Majesty’s bereaved nation and the relatives of the victims of the “unjustifiable shooting” of the Malaysian plane.
King Willem Alexader of the Netherlands
The condolence message stated that Eritreans fully understand the situation of shock that befell the Netherlands because of this tragedy. It further stated: “To us Eritreans opposed to the repressive regime in our country, what happened in eastern Ukraine reminds us of many tragedies including the tragedy that occurred near the Italian island of Lampedusa on 3 October 2013 and over 360 innocent Eritrean lives.”
The EPDP Chairman’s message also added “ While we pray that all the remains of the victims in eastern Ukraine will be retrieved and given proper burial, we also recall that the Eritrean families of the victims of Lampedusa have not yet got the opportunity of burying their dead. The remains of the victims of the Lampedusa are still kept in temporary graves in southern Italy. Sadly, no action has been taken by EU or Italy to give at least the honour of identifying their remains, some of which are still in sunken boat and in the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea.”
Mr. Menghesteab Asmerom reiterated his and many Eritreans “deepest sympathies” with the Government and People of Holland and prayed for peace rest for the souls of the victims.
