Eritrean women speak out: rape and sexual violence by Eritrean troops in Tigray – “not in our name”

Saturday, 27 February 2021 10:49 Written by

FEBRUARY 26, 2021  ETHIOPIA, NEWS, TIGRAY

                                                   PRESS RELEASE

ERITREAN WOMEN GLOBAL NETWORK- YIAKL:  ON CIVIL WAR IN ETHIOPIA

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02 FEB. 2021

The history of Eritrea’s pre-Independence armed struggle only realised through our participation and equal contribution to men through our life, sweat and blood. Our permanent imprint to Eritrea’s social and political fabrics did not fade way; we were expected to toil and sacrifice more of our life in the nation building and the protection and preservation of our sovereign state in the 1998-2000 border war with Ethiopia.

We value for the so much life-sacrificed in order to preserve our unique social fabrics and historical significance, we neither idly sit nor tolerate the inhumane and treasonable acts we have witnessed over the decades committed over our citizens in general through brutal dictatorship. Lo and behold! we raise our voice to all Nations – in particularly those who initiate, plan and consent warmongers – we say shame on you, and this is an injustice to all!!!

What one benefits from war other than causing death to others or oneself, hunger, disease, misery, violence against women and impacted long-term poverty to all. As in the past, we see history repeating itself in Ethiopia, we know exactly what’s happening in Tigray, as it happened to us by the Ethiopian Dreg communist regime of Ethiopia, ignored by the West, concocted with Eastern blocs causing irreparable damage to us.

We unreservedly condemn what’s happening to the Tigrayan population throughout the country, we are witnessing genocide, sexual violence against women as means of war machinery, violence against young people and children, old and infirm, neither priests nor imams, neither churches nor mosques spared by the combined armies of Ethiopian federals and Eritreans.

We were aware the widening differences and violent clashes since the rise of Dr Abiy Ahmed in Ethiopian politics between the 10 Federal states. Out of these Federal states the most stable was Tigray region. We strongly believe Dr. Abiy inexperience and greed for power, deceived by Isaias Afwerki for all-out-war against Tigray Federal state with consented nod with the then President Trump of White House.  The Western world is awe struck with shock and in silence as usual; pre-occupied with Covid-19 pandemics.

We recognise “not in our name” the mass invasion of Eritrean armies in Tigray, they committed collateral damages, the looting, random killing, and raping women as part of waging war against the population and deliberate malicious behaviour and uncharacteristic of individual behaviours but through active order, encouragement, and pressure by the commanding officers, if orders are not met penalty by death, the same fate meted against seniors commanding officers. There are few senior army commanders who refused to pass such order but get executed by the government in Asmara. such extreme order passed to ensure future generation between Eritrean and Tigrayan population instil hatred to each other, which we urge must be noted for future references. On the same note whoever survives this war, it must be remembered all the Young and forced Eritrean recruit army who are currently forced to engages in such orgies of violence should deserves our empathy and careful plan must be mapped out to help them cope with post-traumatic stress war-guilt conditions.  As mothers we take all the things happening is unnatural.

We, therefore, Eritrean women global network in exile, we wish to state and pass the following messages:

  • We unreservedly condemn all forms of violence and the genocide in Tigray.
  • We urge the International community to pay special attention to women who suffered sexual violence and other forms of violence as part of the war campaign by coalition forces of Ethiopian Federal and Eritrean forces and offer help as soon as possibly!!!
  • We urge the Ethiopian Federal government to respect and comply International treaties and norms, give unfettered access to UNHCR in reaching out the needy population,
  • We condemn the invasion of Tigray by Eritrean army; hence, we call on the army to withdraw immediately.
  • We condemn the abduction of Eritrean refugees from Tigray and urge the Eritrean government to stop all forms of violence against the refugees.
  • To protect and ensure their safety we must come up with alternative solutions such as relocating them to third country.
  • We call on Ethiopian Federal army stationed in Eritrea to withdraw immediately.

Message to Eritrean and Tigrayan population

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Dear Eritrean compatriots inside the country,

We are witnessing shameful events unfolding in Tigray, the dictator Isaias coerced and manipulated time and events in putting our country and young people in danger and pressuring our soldier to commit genocide, cause deliberate collateral damages, looting as much as possible, which serves no purpose but to ensure the animosity and enmity between the neighbourly people with Tigrayan for coming generation. We should condemn this war and it’s all doings and say “not in our name, a mother by nature is kind and considerate let along her own children, would not allow other children on the harm way. We share the same value of humanity all over the globe, Somalian mothers are asking their government for the where about of their children who were abducted from their training in Eritrea to Tigray’s War effort. Eritrean women too should have the courage and the moral duty to ask the government for your children’s whereabout and their safety and for their immediate return to your folds.

Dear People of Tigray,

We wish to share with you as mothers and sisters our sincerely pain and grief for all the tragedies and damages inflicted upon you. We have no doubt, you will overcome this tragic painful episode of your history and secure a sustainable and long-lasting peace and prosperity in your country. We affirm to be on your side. The deliberate campaign of hatred and enmity between the two neighbours which we are witnessing being sown and planted by Isaias Afewerki regime must not take roots or mistaken with the majority of Eritreans who themselves are victims of decades abuse and murder.

Dear People of Tigray and our compatriots,

We trust the people of Tigray be able to distinguish two distinct facts.

PFDJ ruling party supporters do not represent the whole Eritrea population, decent Eritrean have no desire or dream to do what Isaias is doing, there are foreign forces too who supported and consented for this war and there may well be nations who will deny “Tigray’s genocide” campaign. These are your enemies. We are your friends now and forever, there is no evil forces who will spoil these special ties that we have in culture and linguistic ties. We are doing all we can to highlight your problems to the World.  We wish to see our children of both nations inherit peace and respect for one another not enmity and blood stains. Politicians are here today but gone tomorrow; we as people remain forever in peace and respect.

Message to the International Community

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We, Eritrean Women Global network – Yiakl, convey our deep concern and distress to the world community; The UN with all it’s branches and operation; entrusted with its’ enshrined Charter, The African IGAD, The EU states, Uk, USA, Canada, and others who simply observing and witnessing genocide in Tigray for four months in a row and yet no concrete action has not taken place, either humanitarian or military intervention to stop the genocide which has shocked us all. We wish to hear his Excellency the Gen. Secretary António Guterres retracting his words that “Eritrean forces has not entered in Tigray” according to the telephone conversation he has had with the Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed. We believe that kind of unfounded speech had inflamed and encouraged more harm than good in Tigray.

We wish to reiterate the gravity and scale of the humanitarian tragedy in Tigray, we seek and plead for an International intervention in Tigray to stop the war and investigate the war-crime that is now happening.

02/15/2021

መግለጺ ኤሪትራውያን ደቂ ኣንስትዮ ብደረጃ ዓለም ለኸ ኣብ ጉዳይ ኲናት ሓድሕድ ኢትዮጵያ

ኩሉ ከምዝፈልጦን  ኤሪትራውያን ደቂ ኣንስትዮ ማዕረ ደቂ ተባዕትዮ የሕዋትና  ሃገርና ካብ ባዕዳውያን ገዛእቲ ሓራ ንምውጻእ ዝነበረና ተራ ዕዙዝ ምንባሩ ታሪኽ ዝሰነዶ ሓቂ እዩ። ብተወሳኺ ኣብቲ ብዶብ ተሳቢቡ ዝተወልዐ ኲናት ኢትዮ- ኤርትራ እውን  ኤሪትራውያን ደቂ ኣንስትዮ ኣካል ሰራዊት ምክልኻል ብምዃን ክቡር ዋጋ ከፊልና ኢና። ስለዝኾነ ኸኣ ኣብ ልዕሊ እቲ ክቡር ዋጋ ዝኸፈልናሉ ህዝብናን ከም ብሌን ዓይንና እንርእያ ሃገርናን ግህሰት መሰልን ልኡላውነትን እናረኣና ከምዘይረኣና ክንሓልፎ ስለዘይንኽእል፡ ድምጽና ከነስምዕ ከኣ ሓላፍነትናን ግዴታናን ምዃኑ ስለ እንኣምን፡ እዚ መልእኽቲ ናብ ኩሉ ማሕበረሰብ ዓለም ብፍላይ ከኣ ናብቶም ሃንደስቲ ኲናት ዝኾኑ ኣካላት ክንልእኽ ተገዲድና ኣለና።

ካብ ኲናት ህልቂት፡ ዕንወት፡ ጥሜት ከምኡውን ምምዝባል እንተዘይኮይኑ ካብ ረብሓ ኣሎ ኢሉ ዝኣምን ካብ ሰብኣውነት ዝወጸ ኣረሜን ጥራይ እዩ ክኸውን ዝኽእል። ከምዚ ንዕዘቦ ዘለና ኣብ ኢትዮጵያ ብዕለት 04 ሕዳር 2020 ዝፈለመ ኲናት ድሮ ኣርባዕተ ወርሒ ኣቑጺሩ ኣሎ። ኣብ ልዕሊ ሰብን ንብረትን ዝወረደ ዕንወት ኣዝዩ ከቢድ ምንባሩ ጥራይ ከይኣክል፡ ዳርጋ ንምሉእ ቀርኒ ኣፍሪቃ እናጸለወ ይከይድ ምህላዉ ውን ብኡመጠን ሳዕቤኑ እናበኣሰ ክኸይድ ምዃኑ ርዱእ እዩ።

እዚ ኲናት ብቐንዱ ኣብ መንጎ ፌደራላዊ መንግስቲ ኢትዮጵያን መንግስቲ ክልል ትግራይን ዝተኸሰተ ዘይምርድዳእ ዝፈጠሮ ኲናት ሓድሕድ እዩ። እንተኾነ ኣብቲ ዞባ ዝርከቡ ሓላፍነት ዘይስምዖም መንግስታትን ውልቀ ሰባትን ብቐጥታ ኮነ ብተዘዋዋሪ ኢድ ብምእታው ማኣዝኑ ስሒቱ ናብ ዝለዓለ ጥርዚ ዕንወትን ህልቂትን ምምዝባልን ክዓቢ ዓቢ ተራ እዮም ተጻዊቶም። ብፍላይ ከኣ ብውልቀ መላኺ ኢሰያስ ኣፈወርቂ ዝተወሰደ ስጉምቲ ንወጽዓን መድመይትን ናይዞም ክልተ ህዝብታት ማለት ህዝቢ ኤሪትራን ህዝቢ ትግራይን ኣዝዩ ዝኸፍአ ክኸውን ጌሩ እዩ፡ ከም ውጽኢቱ ድማ ክልል ትግራይ ናይ ዓበይትን ህጻናትን ሞት ፡ ስደት ዓመጽ ደቂ ኣንስትዮ ዝስምዓላ ናይ ሽግርን ጸበባን ቁሸት ኮይና ትርከብ ኣላ፡ ብጀካ እዚ ኣብ ኣርባዕተ መዓስከራት ዝነበሩ ካብ ስርዓት ህግደፍ ሃዲሞም ዝተዓቖቡ ኤሪትራውያን ስደተኛታት ኣብዚ እዋን እዚ ብዙሓት ካብኣቶም ኣበይ ከምዘለዉ ዘይፍለጠሉ ኣሰካፊ ኩነታት ተፈጢሩ ንርኢ ኣለና።

ካብዚ ብምብጋስ ኣብ መላእ ዓለም እንርከብ ኤሪትራውያን ደቂ ኣንስትዮ እዚ ዝስዕብ መልእኽቲ ነመሓላልፍ።

  • ብኹሎም ኣብቲ ኩናት ዝተሳተፉ ወገናት ኣብ ልዕሊ ሰላማውያን ሰባት ዝወረደ ግፍዕታትት ብትሪ ንኹንኖ።
  • ሰራዊት ኤርትራ ልኡላዊ ዶብ ጥሒሱ ኣብ መሬት ኢትዮጵያ ምእታዉ ብትሪ ንኹንኖ። ካብ መሬት ኢትዮጵያ ጠቕሊሉ ክወጽእ ድማ ንጽውዕ።
  • ሰራዊት ፈደራላዊ መንግስቲ ኢትዮጵያ ውን ካብ ኤርትራ ክወጽእ ንጽውዕ።
  • ኣብ ልዕሊ ስደተኛታት ዝወርድ ዘሎ ግህሰት ሰብኣዊ መሰላት ብህጹጽ ደው ክብል።
  • መንግስቲ ኤርትራ ንኤርትራውያን ስደተኛታት ናብ ኤርትራ ብሓይሊ ምምላስ ደው የብል፡ ንድሕነቶም ንምርግጋጽ ከም ካልኣይ ኣማራጺ ብውሑስ መንገዲ ናብ ሳልሳይ ሃገር ንምስግጋር ባይታ ምፍጣር።
  • ኣብቲ ናይ ኲናት ዞባ ዝርከብ ህዝቢ መግቢ ማይ መጽለሊ ሕክምና ዝኣመሰሉ መሰረታዊ ጠለባት ክማልኣሉ

ፌደራላዊ መንግስቲ ኢትዮጵያ ሙሉእ ምትሕብባር ክገብር ንጽውዕ።

  • ብፍላይ ኣብቲ ናይ ኲናት ዞና ዝርከባ ደቂ ኣንስትዮ ዝተፈጸመ ጾታዊ ዓመጽ ልዑል ኣቓልቦ ክግበረሉን ግዳያት ከኣ ዘድሊ ክንክን ክረኽባን ምሕጽንታና ነቕርብ።
  1. መልእኽቲ ናብ ህዝቢ ኤርትራን ትግራይን

ዝኸበርካ ህዝቢ ኤርትራ፡ እዚ ዘለናዮ እዋን ከምቲ ኩልና ንዕዘቦ ዘለና ውልቀ መላኺ ኢሰያስ ኣብ ዘይምልክተና ኩናት ብምሽማም ደቅና የጥፍኣልና ከምዘሎ ትዕዘቦ ኣለኻ። እቲ ዝኸፍኣ ድማ ብሰንኪ እዚ ዘይሓላፍነታዊ ኣካይዳን ኮነ ኢልካ ኣብ ልዕሊ ህዝቢ ትግራይ ብዝፍጸም ዘሎ ግፍዕታትን፡ ንኽልቲኡ ህዝብታት ንወለዶታት ዝኸይድ ጽልኢ የሳውረልና ከምዘሎ ክንግንዘብ፡ ብንቕሓት ክንኩንኖን ክንጽየኖን መድረኽ ይሓተና ኣሎ። ህዝቢ ኤርትራ ክቡር ባህሊ ዓቂቡ ኣብ መንጎ ክልተ ኣሕዋት ሕዝብታት ትግራይን ኤርትራን ዝዝራእ ዘሎ ጽልኢ ከይሓብሮ ንጽውዕ። ብፍላይ ከኣ ኣዴታት ኤሪትራ፡ ኣደ ማለት በጃ ውሉዳ እትሓልፍ ካብ ሕማቕ ናይ ውሉዳ ክትርኢ ሞት እትመርጽ ለዋህ ፍጥረት እያ፡ ስለዚ ኣብነት ናይ ኣዴታት ሶማል ተኸቲልክን ነቲ ውሉድክን መንዚዑ ግደ ሓዘንን ትካዜን ጌሩክን ዘሎ ኣረሜናዊ ስርዓት ህግደፍ ደቅና ምለሰልና ኢልክን ብትሪ ክትቃወምኦ ሓላፍነትክን ምዃኑ ከነዘኻኽር ንፈቱ።

ዝኸበርካ ህዝቢ ትግራይ፡ ነዚ ትሓልፎ ዘለኻ መከራን ስቓይን ከም ሓውኻ ህዝቢ መጠን ኣዝዩ የግሁየናን ይስመዓናን እዩ። ሰላምካ ክምለስን እፎይታ ክትረክብን ካብ ልብና ዝነቕለ ምንዮትና ንገልጸልካ። ኣብ ሞንጎ እዚ ክልተ ኣሓት ህዝብታት ዝትከል ዘሎ ጽልእን ናይ ቅርሕንቲ ጎስጓሳትን፡ ካበየናይ ወገን ብዘየገድስ፡ ብትሪ ክትቃወሞ ንጽውዕ። ህዝቢ ኤርትራ ኣብዚ ዝግበር ዘሎ ኢድ ምእታው ተራ ከም ዘይብሉ ተረዲእካ ኣብ መንጎ`ዚ ክልተ ህዝብታት ዝጸንሐ ሕውነታዊ ፍቕሪ ክትሕሉን ናይ ጽልእን ቅርሕንትን መንፈስ ኣብ ልዕሊ ህዝቢ ኤርትራ ከይተሕድርን ንምሕጸነካ። ፍረ ጽልኢ፡ ቅርሕንትን ሕነምፍዳይን ንወለዶታት ዝኸይድ ደም ምፍሳስ ኢዩ እሞ፡ ህዝቢ ኤርትራ ኣብዚ ኩናት ክሳተፍ ድሌት ከም ዘይብሉ ተረዲእካ ካብ ከምዚ ዝበለ ስምዒታትት ክትቁጠብ ደጊምና ደጋጊምና ንምሕጸነካ።

ዝኸበርካ ህዝቢ ትግራይን ኤርትራን፡ ኣብ ድሮ ስማዊ ስምምዕ ሰላም ኣብ ዶባት ኢትዮ- ኤርትራ ዝነበረ ናይ ናፍቖት፡ ሕውነትን፡ ምትሕቑቓፍን ኩነታት ህያው ምስክር ድሌታት ናይዚ ክልተ ህዝቢ እዩ። ስለዚ ብሰንኪ ፖለቲካውያን ሓይልታት ንዝሳወር ዘሎ ኩሉ ዓይነት ሰይጣናዊ ተግባራት በኣግኡ ነቒሕና ኣንጻሩ ደው ንበል። ንደቅና ሰናይ ጉርብትና እምበር ጽልእን ቅርሕንትን ኣይንግደፈሎም።

  1. መልእኽቲ  ንማሕበረሰብ ዓለም

ማሕበረ- ሰብ ዓለም፡ ትካላት ሰብኣዊ መሰላት፡ ሕቡራት ሃገራት ኣሜሪካ፡ ሕብረት ኤውሮጳ፡ ሕብረት ኣፍሪቃ፡ ኢጋድን ካልኦት ዞባውያንን ዓለማውያ ሓይልታትን – እዚ ዝኸይድ ዘሎ ኩነታት ናብ ዝኸፍአ ሽግር ከይዓበየ እንከሎ፡ ክብደት ናይቲ ኩነታት ኣብ ግምት ብምእታው ብዕቱብነት ርኢኹም ህጹጽ ፍታሕ ክትገብሩሉ ንጽውዕ፡ ብዘይ ውዓል ሕደር ኲናት ደው ክብል ከኣ ኩሉ ዝከኣለኩም ክትገብሩ ንምሕጸን። ኣብ ልዕሊ ሰለማዊ ህዝቢ ኢትዮጵያውያንን፡ ኤርትራውያንን ስደተኛታትን ዝካየድ ዘሎ ኢሰብኣዊ ግፍዕታት ብህጹጽ መግትኢ ክግበረሉን እቶም ተፈጺሞም ዝበሃሉ ገበናት ኲናት ብነጻ ወገን ክጻረዩን ገበነኛታት ድማ ብሕጊ ዝሕተትሉ ባይታ ክፍጥር ንምሕጸን።

ወትሩ ሰላም`ዩ ድሌትና!

ኤሪትራውያን ደቂ ኣንስትዮ ደረጃ ዓለም-ለኸ

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم وبه نستعين

نداء ومناشدة الي كل النساء الأرتريات في ارجاء العالم

العالم والتاريخ يشهد بالدور الذي لعبته المرآة  الأرترية جنبا الى جنب مع اخيها الرجل في نضالات شعبها لنيل الاستقلال، وإحلال والآمن والسلام  والاستقرار.
بناءً على ماذكر حان الان ايضا بأن تلعب دورًا كبيرا في التصدي لنهج النظام الارتري في التدخل في شؤون دول الجوار والزج بأبنائنا في معارك ليس لنا فيها ناقة او جمل.
أن ممارسات حكومة النظام الدكتاتوري الأرتري في الحروب العبثية مع دول الجوار أفقدتنا أرواح بشرية وخسائر مادية جسيمة مما أدى لهروب شبابنا واللجوء في معسكرات شتى.
الآثار السلبية التي تخلفها هذه الحروب على مجتمعاتنا وخلق عداوات وعلاقات غير  ودية مع شعوب هذه الدول ستكون كارثية جدا وبناءا على ذلك نؤكد رفضنا القاطع لما يدور من احداث في المنطقة من إنتهاكات لحقوق الإنسان وعلى رأس هذه الانتهاكات التى تمارس ضد أبنائنا المكدسين من رجال ونساء واطفال في معسكرات اللجوء في اقليم تقراي لأنهم اكثر الناس تضررا من ويل الحرب وأيضا ويل اللجوء والامراض.
الذين يدفعون ثمن الحرب دائما هم الضعفاء مثل النساء والأطفال وهم ايضا عرضة للصراعات العنيفة بين كل الاطراف .
نحن كنساء وأمهات إرتريات نناشد المجتمع الدولي و منظمات حقوق الإنسان من اجل المساعدة على إنشاء ممرات لإيصال المساعدات ، ان تلعب دورها لحماية اللاجئين المتواجدين في معسكرات اقليم تقراي، وتأمين حياتهم بالحماية .

ندين النظام الدكتاتوري الذي يعبث بحياة أبناء شعبنا وبتدخله السافر بقضايا دول الجوار .

نقف معًا لإنهاء معاناة شعبنا وآن الأوان لندرك جميعا المخاطر التي تحيط بنا ، نعم للسلام والاستقرار ونرفض الحروب ومخلفاتها السلبية .

وشكرًا

ألامهات المتواجدات في المملكة المتحدة

 

Signatories

Name                                                               Country

  1. Ababa Tsehaye                                               UK
  2. Ababa Abraha                                                 Sweden
  3. Ababa Asgedom                                             UK
  4. Ababa Habte                                                   U.S.A
  5. Abrehet Abraha                                              UK
  6. Abrehet Sium                                                  Norway
  7. Abrehet Tesfay                                               Norway
  8. Adhanet Berahane                                         UK
  9. Adulis Angesom                                              Sweden
  10. Adiam Aberha                                                U.S.A
  11. Adiam Berahane                                            U.S.A
  12. Adiam Solomon                                             Netherland
  13. Adiam Tesfamariam                                      Germany
  14. Adiam Yohannes                                            UK
  15. Afomia Tsegay                                                UK
  16. Afrah Ali                                                           UK
  17. Alem Weldu                                                    Sweden
  18. Alem Tesfaye                                                  Switzerland
  19. Alem Kifle                                                        UK
  20. Alem Siele                                                        Germany
  21. Alemash Fishasion                                         Sweden
  22. Almaz Hailay                                                   Italy
  23. Almaz Gebregziabher                                    UK
  24. Almaz Tsegay                                                  Switzerland
  25. Almaz Mengisteab                                         U.S.A
  26. Almaz Tekia                                                     UK
  27. Almaz Gebreselassie                                     Germany
  28. Alganesh Tesfay                                             UK
  29. Ariam Girmay                                                 UK
  30. Ariam Abraham                                              U.S.A
  31. Alganesh Berhane                                          UK
  32. Alganesh Teame                                             U.S.A
  33. Alganesh Andeberhan                                  Sweden
  34. Amira Siraj                                                      Germany
  35. Alganesh Teame                                            U.S.A
  36. Awet Teame                                                   UK
  37. Awet Abraha                                                  Germany
  38. Aster Tewelde                                                UK
  39. Aster Tewelde                                                U.S.A
  40. Asmeret Gebrekrestos                                 Sweden
  41. Asmeret Ghezai                                             UK
  42. Asmeret Tesfalem                                         UK
  43. Asefash Negash                                             UK
  44. Asefash Haile                                                 U.S.A
  45. Asmahan Ali                                                   UK
  46. Asmayiat Tumezghi                                      Germany
  47. Akbiret Hagos                                                UK
  48. Akbiret Debesay                                            Canada
  49. Azeb weldy                                                     UK
  50. Azeb Ukbazghi                                               Switzerland
  51. Azeb Bokru                                                     Italy
  52. Azeb Sebahtu                                                 UK
  53. Azieb Tesfay                                                   U.S.A
  54. Azeb Haile                                                      Germany
  55. Azamara Abraha                                            Sweden
  56. Ameleset Abraham                                       Israel
  57. Ameleset Hagos                                             UK
  58. Ameleset Tewelde                                        UK
  59. Ameleset Tsehaye                                         UK
  60. Bana Andemeskel                                         Germany
  61. Betul Abdu Siraj                                            UK
  62. Betu Tesfamariam                                        Germany
  63. Belaynesh Shishay                                        U.S.A
  64. Beteal Yacob                                                  UK
  65. Birhan Beraki                                                 UK
  66. BiBta Woldu                                                   UK
  67. Bisirat Fishasion                                             UK
  68. Bisirat Tsegay                                                  Canada
  69. Bisirat Gebrab                                                 Canada
  70. Bisirat Woldemichael                                    U.S.A
  71. Beri Andemariam                                          Norway
  72. Berkiti Berhe                                                  Germany
  73. Berkiti Yibarek                                               Germany
  74. Berkiti Woldeab                                            Canada
  75. Berkiti Fisahsion                                            Germany
  76. Beri Rezene                                                    Germany
  77. Diana Tsegalem                                            Norway
  78. Dahab Bahta                                                 Germany
  79. Dahlak Gebreselassie                                   Sweden
  80. Demekesh Teare                                          Switzerland
  81. Eden Hans                                                     Norway
  82. Eden Fisahsion                                               UK
  83. Eden Khasay                                                   U.S.A
  84. Eden Gebru                                                     UK
  85. Eden Fikitor                                                     UK
  86. Eden Beyene                                                  Canada
  87. Eru Efrem                                                        Sweden
  88. Eden Tesfay                                                    U.S.A
  89. Elsa Eyob                                                         Sweden
  90. Elsa Gebrekidan                                             UK
  91. Elsa Ghebre                                                     Sweden
  92. Elsa Yohannes                                                 Norway
  93. Elsa Mengisteab                                              UK
  94. Elsa Weldegabriel                                           U.S.A
  95. Elsa Haddish                                                   UK
  96. Elsa Tekle                                                        Germany
  97. Elsa Haile                                                         Canada
  98. Elsa Amare Gebrhiwet                                  U.S.A
  99. Elsa Alema                                                       Germany
  100. Ellen Haile                                                       UK
  101. Ellilta Berahane                                              U.S.A
  102. Ellen Tesfagergish                                          U.S.A
  103. Elelita Abraha                                                 U.S.A
  104. Estela Pawlino                                                South-Sudan
  105. EZgaharia Mahray                                          U.S.A
  106. Fauns Abraham                                              Israel
  107. Fauns Shishay                                                  U.S.A
  108. Fauns Mehari                                                  Israel
  109. Fatima Adem                                                   UK
  110. Filmawit Tsegay                                              UK
  111. Filmawit Girmay                                              UK
  112. Freweyni Desbele                                          Germany
  113. Freweyni Berahane                                        U.S.A
  114. Freweyni Kifle                                                 Uk
  115. Freweyni Tesfu                                               UK
  116. Freweyni Tesfamariam                                  UK
  117. Freweyni Teklay                                             Italy
  118. Freweyni Tekle                                                U.S.A
  119. Fyori Mehari                                                   Sweden
  120. Fyori Tewelde                                                 UK
  121. Fyori Tesfalem                                                Sweden
  122. Fyori Tesfamariam                                         UK
  123. Feven Abraham                                              Sweden
  124. Feven Gidowen                                              Germany
  125. Feven Kahase                                                  UK
  126. Fikadu Haile                                                     UK
  127. Fikadu Mesfin                                                  Israel
  128. Fithawit Angesom                                           UK
  129. Gabriel Hussen                                                Sweden
  130. Gabriela Kidane                                               Norway
  131. Gabriela Tela                                                    Canada
  132. Geday Ismail                                                    UK
  133. Germawit Gebrhiwet                                     Sweden
  134. Genet Maharena                                            Sweden
  135. Genet Mengistu                                              Germany
  136. Genet Mengistu                                              Italy
  137. Genet Tsehaye                                                UK
  138. Genet Beyene                                                  Israel
  139. Genet Habtemichael                                      Switzerland
  140. Genet Haile                                                      UK
  141. Genet Medhanie                                             Norway
  142. Genet Gebremeskel                                       Norway
  143. Genet Gebremedhin                                      Norway
  144. Genet Gebreselassie                                      Germany
  145. Genet Gebregziabher                                     U.S.A
  146. Genet Kidane                                                   U.S.A
  147. Genet Meliake                                                 UK
  148. Genet Ande                                                       UK
  149. Genet Tekia                                                       UK
  150. Genet Tsegay                                                     Italy
  151. Hadas Andemeskel                                           UK
  152. Hana Yebio                                                       Germany
  153. Hana Fisahaye                                                  UK
  154. Hana Abraha                                                     UK
  155. Hana Tekle                                                        U.S.A
  156. Hana Tsegay                                                     Canada
  157. Hana Michael                                                   Germany
  158. Hani Fisahsion                                                  Canada
  159. Hairnet Berhe                                                   UK
  160. Hadas Haileslassie                                           U.S.A
  161. Haimanot Tesfamariam                                 Sweden
  162. Haimanot Gebrekidan                                   Italy
  163. Haimanot Woldu                                             UK
  164. Haben Berahane                                              UK
  165. Hayat Belal                                                       UK
  166. Dr. Haben Ghezai                                            UK
  167. Hawariyat Beraki                                             Norway
  168. Hawariyat Gebretsadik                                  Germany
  169. Hawariyat Haile                                               U.S.A
  170. Helen Abraham                                               Germany
  171. Helen Desta                                                      U.S.A
  172. Heaven Yemane                                               UK
  173. Helen Hailemicheal                                         U.S.A
  174. Helen Michael                                                  U.S.A
  175. Helen Ghebre                                                  Switzerland
  176. Helen Mesgna                                                 Switzerland
  177. Hewan Desta                                                    Israel
  178. Helen Okubay                                                  Israel
  179. Helen Neguse                                                  UK
  180. Heman Haile                                                    UK
  181. Helen Gebregziabher                                    U.S.A
  182. Hewan Kiflu                                                     Germany
  183. Hriyti Solomon                                                Sweden
  184. Hriyti Solomon                                                Sweden
  185. Hriyti Tekie                                                      Germany
  186. Huria Monsur                                                  UK
  187. Hiwet Wolderupahel                                      UK
  188. Hiwet Mehtsentu                                            UK
  189. Hiwet Fitwi                                                       UK
  190. Hiwet Abebe                                                    Switzerland
  191. Hiwet Fisahaye                                                Switzerland
  192. Hiwet Kibreab                                                  Switzerland
  193. Hiwet Tesfamichael                                        Israel
  194. Hiwet Hagos                                                    Germany
  195. Hideat Measho                                                UK
  196. Hideat Tekeste                                                 Germany
  197. Jordanos Habtemichael                                  UK
  198. Kiberet Woldeysus                                          Germany
  199. Kiberet Tekle Yossief                                       Italy
  200. Khadijah Ali                                                       UK
  201. Kheria Adem                                                     UK
  202. Kokob Yohannes                                              Sweden
  203. Kisanet Abraha                                                 UK
  204. Kidesti Okbahanes                                           Canada
  205. Kudusan Kifle                                                    UK
  206. Kudusan Debesay                                             Norway
  207. Kudusan Tesfaselassie                                    UK
  208. Luchi Gebreselassie                                         U.S.A
  209. Luchia Kingsley                                                 U.S.A
  210. Lemlem Mohamed                                         Germany
  211. Lemlem Taere                                                  U.S.A
  212. Lemlem Amanie                                               Norway
  213. Lemlem Emha                                                   Norway
  214. Lemlem Goitu                                                   Canada
  215. Lemlem Tesfu                                                   Canada
  216. Leteberhan Tesfamichael                               Uganda
  217. Leteberhan Melse                                           Sweden
  218. LeteYohannes Bahta                                       Canada
  219. Leteberhan Gebrekrestos                              U.S.A
  220. Leteay Teklemariam                                       U.S.A
  221. Legeset Gide                                                     U.S.A
  222. Luwam Goitom                                                UK
  223. Luwam Mulugeta                                            UK
  224. Luwam Gebreyseus                                        Canada
  225. Lula Tesfaezghi                                                U.S.A
  226. Lula Tesfamariam                                            Canada
  227. Lucia Aregawi                                                   Italy
  228. Lidia Kifle                                                          UK
  229. Lidia Eseyas                                                       U.S.A
  230. Lidia Fesha                                                         Canada
  231. Liya Kiflemariam                                              UK
  232. Liya Beyene                                                       Germany
  233. Mana Andemicheal                                         Germany
  234. Mana Fisahaye                                                 U.S.A
  235. Marta Mebrahtu                                              U.S.A
  236. Maria Haile                                                       U.S.A
  237. Meaza Michael                                                Norway
  238. Meaza Teklenicel                                             Germany
  239. Meaza Oukbu                                                   UK
  240. Meaza Andemicheal                                       Germany
  241. Mizan Tekle                                                      UK
  242. Mihret Kidane                                                  UK
  243. Merhawit Gebrhiwet                                      Israel
  244. Merhawit Tsegalem                                       UK
  245. Merhawit Andemariam                                 Norway
  246. Merhawit Tecle                                               Israel
  247. Merhawit Haile                                               Israel
  248. Merhawit Andehaymanot                             UK
  249. Merry Teklab                                                   Germany
  250. Merkeb Negasi                                                UK
  251. Mebrak Tsegay Mekonnen                           Italy
  252. Mebrat Gebremeskel                                     Norway
  253. Mebrat Asfha                                                   Norway
  254. Medhin Yosief                                                  Canada
  255. Medhin Girmay                                                Sweden
  256. Medhin Tekle                                                   Sweden
  257. Meron Goitom                                                 Canada
  258. Meseret Mekonen                                          Norway
  259. Miriam Habtemichael                                     Germany
  260. Mihret Gebreselassie                                      UK
  261. Mihret Negasi                                                   UK
  262. Mihret Haile                                                     UK
  263. Mihret Haile                                                     U.S.A
  264. Mihret Tesfay                                                  U.S.A
  265. Millen Tsehaye                                                 UK
  266. Milli Reda                                                          Israel
  267. Mihret Gebrezghber Neguse                        UK
  268. Mitslal Kidane                                                  U.S.A
  269. Mitslal Tesfamichael                                       Canada
  270. Milete Kiflu                                                       UK
  271. Milete Gebrezghber                                        UK
  272. Milete Yohannes                                              Germany
  273. Mulu Negasi                                                     U.S.A
  274. Mona Amer                                                      UK
  275. Natsenet Mesfin                                              U.S.A
  276. Natsenet Musa                                                Sweden
  277. Natsenet Gebray                                             UK
  278. Nasera Nour                                                     Netherland
  279. Nazareth Habte                                               Sweden
  280. Nebiat Yikalo                                                    Sweden
  281. Nebiat Azebha                                                  UK
  282. Nebiat Hagos                                                    U.S.A
  283. Nebiat Habte                                                     Norway
  284.  Nebiat Gebremedhin                                      UK
  285. Nebiat Kifali                                                       UK
  286. Nebiat                                                                 Sweden
  287. Nejat Abdu                                                         UK
  288. Nema Abdu                                                        UK
  289. Nigesti Hdru                                                      Sweden
  290. Nigesti Ketema                                                 UK
  291. Nigesti Gulbet                                                   Germany
  292. Niryia Habe                                                       Sweden
  293. Rahel Neguse                                                    Germany
  294. Rezan Michael                                                  U.S.A
  295. Ruta Andeberhan                                             Germany
  296. Ruth Okbagerizgher                                         Sweden
  297. Ruth Berahane                                                  UK
  298. Ruta Mengisteab                                              UK
  299. Ruta Efrem                                                        Norway
  300. Ruta Kidane                                                       UK
  301. Rahwa Asmelash                                               UK
  302. Rahwa Kifle                                                        UK
  303. Rahwa Tekleberhan                                         Norway
  304. Rahwa Eyob                                                       UK
  305. Rehaset Bahre                                                   Canada
  306. Dr. Ribqa Sebahtu                                            Italy
  307. Riam Nasser                                                      Switzerland
  308. Rihistialem Ghebreyesus                                Switzerland
  309. Rihisti zerezgi                                                    Germany
  310. Rishan Berahane                                               U.S.A
  311. Rita Bensen                                                       Sweden
  312. Rigat Bayru                                                        U.S.A
  313. Roma Michael                                                   UK
  314. Rozina Okubay                                                  UK
  315. Sara Abdulrahman                                            UK
  316. Sara Berahane                                                   U.S.A
  317. Sara Haile                                                           U.S.A
  318. Sara Tewelde                                                     UK
  319. Sara Girmay                                                       Sweden
  320. Sara Andu                                                           Norway
  321. Sara Asgedom                                                    U.S.A
  322. Sara Eyob                                                           UK
  323. Sara Mengisteab                                               UK
  324. Saba Fisahaye                                                   U.S.A
  325. Saba Asmelash                                                  UK
  326. Saba Asmelash                                                  Sweden
  327. Saba Gobona                                                     Israel
  328. Saba Isaac                                                          UK
  329. Saba Abraha                                                      Norway
  330. Saba Afwerki                                                     UK
  331. Samrawit Tesfay                                               Israel
  332. Saba Hailu                                                          U.S.A
  333. Samrawit Gebremdehin                                  Sweden
  334. Samrawit Abraha                                              Germany
  335. Sebila Kemalu                                                    UK
  336. Sembetu Hagos                                                Netherland
  337. Samira Telenor                                                 Canada
  338. Samira Kahase                                                  UK
  339. Semhar Tesfay                                                  UK
  340. Semhar Alan                                                      Canada
  341. Semhar Legesse                                                Germany
  342. Semhar Angesom                                             Germany
  343. Semhar Gebreselassie                                     Sweden
  344. Selam Tesfay                                                     UK
  345. Selam Tsehaye                                                  UK
  346. Selam Jimmie                                                    Sweden
  347. Selam Yohannes                                                UK
  348. Selam Negasi                                                     UK
  349. Selam Asmelash                                                UK
  350. Selam Gebremichael                                        Norway
  351. Selam Alem                                                        U.S.A
  352. Selam Mesgun                                                   U.S.A
  353. Selam Tesfaezghi                                              UK
  354. Selam Guesh                                                      Italy
  355. Selam Gebreselassie                                        Norway
  356. Selemawit Khasay                                             UK
  357. Selemawit Angesom                                         UK
  358. Selemawit Kiros                                                 UK
  359. Selomie Berahane                                             Canada
  360. Senait Abraham                                                 Switzerland
  361. Senait Asmelash                                                UK
  362. Senait Beraki                                                      UK
  363. Senait B                                                               Sweden
  364. Senait Berahane                                                UK
  365. Senait Berahane                                                U.S.A
  366. Senait Gebrhiwet                                              Israel
  367. Senait Gelaezghi                                                UK
  368. Senait Mesgna                                                   France
  369. Senait Gebremeskel                                          UK
  370. Senait Zerabruk                                                  Israel
  371. Senait Habtemariam                                          Australia
  372. Senait Keste                                                         Sweden
  373. Senait Kifle                                                           Canada
  374. Senait Gebreselassie                                          U.S.A
  375. Senait Yamane                                                    UK
  376. Senait Yohannes                                                 UK
  377. Senait Haile                                                         Norway
  378. Senait Habte                                                        UK
  379. Senait Hagos Teklezghi                                     U.S.A
  380. Senait Temelso                                                   UK
  381. Senait Tekle                                                         UK
  382. Segen Kifle                                                           UK
  383. Sesen Ghezai                                                       UK
  384. Semhar Meliake                                                  UK
  385. Semien Gebremichael                                       U.S.A
  386. Shushan Desta                                                    UK
  387. Shwet Abraha                                                      UK
  388. Shwet Tsegalem                                                  Norway
  389. Shiwa seyoum                                                     Germany
  390. Simret Ande                                                        Sweden
  391. Simret Teklay                                                      Israel
  392. Simona Tesfaledt                                               U.S.A
  393. Simret Gebrehawariyat                                    Germany
  394. Sieddi Ibrahim                                                     UK
  395. Silvana Berahane                                               UK
  396. Senait Tewelde                                                   U.S.A
  397. Simret Solomon                                                  Sweden
  398. Sisay Haile                                                           Norway
  399. Sisay Kahin                                                          UK
  400. Srnay Duri                                                            Israel
  401. Stela Yosief                                                          Australia
  402. Stela Pawlino                                                      South Sudan
  403. Tahgas Tekle                                                        Denmark
  404. Tblets Andemariam                                           Norway
  405. Teabe Issac                                                          Germany
  406. Tereza Yosief                                                       UK
  407. Tereza Tewelde                                                  Italy
  408. Tembiet Mehari                                                 Germany
  409. Tigesti Tebeb                                                       Sweden
  410. Tigesti Khasay                                                      U.S.A
  411. Tigesti Bahta                                                        Italy
  412. Tirhas Teklay                                                        Sweden
  413. Tirhas Eyob                                                           Norway
  414. Tirhas Teklemariam                                            Sweden
  415. Tirhas Gebrhiwet                                                Israel
  416. Tirhas Gebrhiwet                                                U.S.A
  417. Tirhas Gebray                                                       U.S.A
  418. Tirhas Abraham                                                   Norway
  419. Tirhas Shishay                                                      U.S.A
  420. Tirhas Berahane                                                  Norway
  421. Tirhas Teame                                                       Israel
  422. Tirhas Ghezai Gide                                              Norway
  423. Tirhas Oukbaledet                                               UK
  424. Tirhas Yohannes                                                   Germany
  425. Tsigereda Fisahsion                                             Norway
  426. Tsigereda Solomon                                             UK
  427. Tsigereda Berahane                                            Norway
  428. Tsigereda Sebahtu                                              Germany
  429. Tsigereda Mengistu                                            Germany
  430. Tsigehana Yohannes                                           UK
  431. Tsigewayni Gebrezghi                                         UK
  432. Tsigewayeini Tekle                                               U.S.A
  433. Tsige Beyene                                                        Sweden
  434. Tsige Mengesha                                                   UK
  435. Tsiege Rezene                                                      Sweden
  436. Tsige Gabriel                                                         UK
  437. Tsige Hagos                                                           UK
  438. Tsige Hagos                                                           UK
  439. Tsenat Zeray                                                         Norway
  440. Tsega Debresion                                                  UK
  441. Tsega Andegergish                                              U.S.A
  442. Tsega Berahane                                                     Israel
  443. Tsega Tewelde                                                       Germany
  444. Tsigewayeini Gebrezghi                                       UK
  445. Tsegalem Abai                                                       Norway
  446.  Tsiege Hagos                                                        UK
  447. Tsiege Hagos                                                         UK
  448. Tsega Goitom                                                       UK
  449. Tsega Isaac                                                            Sweden
  450. Tsega Tekle                                                           U.S.A
  451. Tsega Hagos                                                          Canada
  452. Tsehaytu Zerae                                                     Germany
  453. Uqba Girmay                                                         Germany
  454. Weyini Gebremeskel                                           UK
  455.  Weyini Ghebreyesus                                           Sweden
  456. Weyini Mebrahtu                                                 Sweden
  457. Weyini Kiflom                                                        Sweden
  458. Weyini Abraha                                                       Italy
  459. Winta Abraha                                                        UK
  460. Winta Berahane                                                    U.S.A
  461. Yihdega Reta                                                          U.S.A
  462. Yergalem Fishasion                                               Italy
  463. Yergalem Teklehaimanot                                     Canada
  464. Yeshi Temesgen                                                     UK
  465. Yordanos Isak                                                         Sweden
  466. Yordanos Zerabruk                                                Netherland
  467. Yordanos Michael                                                  Sweden
  468. Yordanos Habtemariam                                        Norway
  469. Yordanos Tesfay                                                     U.S.A
  470. Yordanos Gebremeskel                                         U.S.A
  471. Yorsalem Haile                                                        France
  472. Yorsalem Gebrhiwet                                              Italy
  473. Yorsalem Girmay                                                    Canada
  474. Yorsalem Habtom                                                   Norway
  475. Yorsalem Fisahaye                                                  Norway
  476. Yodit Kidane                                                            UK
  477. Yodit Embaye                                                           USA
  478. Yodit Tekle                                                               UK
  479. Yodit A. Gebrekidan                                               U.S.A
  480. Yodit Gebremeskel                                                 Canada
  481. Yohana Girmay                                                       UK
  482. Verónica Solomon                                                  U.S.A
  483. Zayed Tesfat                                                            Israel
  484. Zayed Solomon                                                        Sweden
  485. Zayed Woldu                                                            UK
  486. Zainab Mussa                                                           UK
  487. Zewdialem Beraki                                                   UK
  488. Zewdie Deres                                                           UK
  489. Zewdie Debas                                                           UK
  490. Zewdie Tesfamariam                                               Switzerland
  491. Zebib Habtemariam                                                Norway

European Union statement on Axum massacre: Amnesty report “harrowing”

Saturday, 27 February 2021 10:47 Written by

FEBRUARY 26, 2021  ETHIOPIA, TIGRAY

Tigray conflict: Joint Statement by HR/VP Borrell and Commissioner Lenarčič on massacres in Axum 

Brussels, 26/02/2021 – 14:10, UNIQUE ID: 210226_7Joint Statements

Amnesty International issued a report today on atrocities that took place in Axum, Ethiopia, in November 2020. The report concludes that indiscriminate shelling and mass execution may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. This is another harrowing reminder of the violence that civilians in Tigray have been suffering since the onset of the conflict. We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, all crimes against civilians and call for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice. We recall the obligation under International Humanitarian Law for all parties to ensure the protection of all civilians, including refugees and those internally displaced.

Hostilities must cease immediately and immediate, full and unfettered access to the whole of Tigray for all humanitarian actors and the media allowed. Since the outbreak of the conflict more than 100 days ago, thousands of civilians have lost their lives and reportedly 80% of the population remain cut off from external assistance, facing rising food insecurity and malnutrition. The level of suffering endured by civilians, including children, is appalling. This must cease immediately. Full access is essential to assess the situation on the ground and provide adequate protection and assistance to those who desperately need it.

Statement from UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrean Human Rights

Saturday, 27 February 2021 10:37 Written by

FEBRUARY 25, 2021  ERITREA, NEWS

Source: UNhttps://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26795&LangID=E

Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights situation in Eritrea, 
Mr Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker 

​46rd Session of the Human Rights Council

Update on Eritrea

24 February 2021

Esteemed Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my honour to present my first oral update to the Council since taking up the role of Special Rapporteur last November 2020. In my update today, I will focus on the (a) the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the context of the ongoing Tigray crisis in Ethiopia, which added a new complicated dynamic in monitoring the human rights of the Eritrean people, and (b) the progress made in relation to the benchmarks set out in the reports of my predecessor.

Since I started my mandate on 1 November 2020, I am monitoring the ongoing Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, which erupted on 4 November 2020, and its impact on the Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers.

There were over 96,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray before the crisis, living largely in four refugee camps, including Hitsats, Mai-Aini, Adi Harush, and Shemelba. I have received information from credible sources that, as of November 2020, the situation of these refugees and asylum seekers has become more precarious and worrisome.

I also received first-hand accounts of allegations of grave human rights and humanitarian law violations, including extra judicial killings, targeted abductions and forced return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers to Eritrea, allegedly by Eritrean forces. I am particularly concerned about the two refugee camps, which hosted over 25,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray region, Hitsats and Shemelba, and which were allegedly destroyed in attacks carried out by Eritrean and Ethiopian troops between November 2020 and January 2021, despite their protected humanitarian status under the 1951 Convention on the Protection of refugees.

I am also concerned about allegations of possible implication of Eritrean troops in cases of serious human rights violations, including acts of abductions, forceful or unvoluntary return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers, and their imprisonment in different prisons in Eritrea. Such allegations need to be investigated promptly and thoroughly by independent mechanisms. On 28 January 2021, in my letter to the Government of Ethiopia, I called on the Ethiopian authorities to protect the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the Tigray region, and to ensure respect for their rights under human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law. In this oral update, I request the Eritrean authorities to give me full access to refugees and asylum seekers allegedly held in various prisons inside Eritrea.

Turning to the issue of the human rights situation in Eritrea, since October 2020, I have seen no concrete evidence of progress or actual improvement in the human rights situation in the country. Eritrea has not yet put in place an institutional and legal framework to uphold minimum human rights standards in a democratic society. The country lacks rule of law, a constitution and an independent judiciary to enforce the protection of and respect for human rights. Eritrea continues to have no national assembly to adopt laws, including those regulating fundamental rights and the right of the Eritrean people to participate freely in the public life of their country. 

On religious freedoms, I welcome the release of a large group of Christians. Reports indicate that, in recent weeks, Eritrea has released 70 jailed Christians of evangelical and orthodox who were held in three prisons. Sixty-four of the Christians had no charges and some of them were jailed for worshipping in public. On 27 January 2021, six female prisoners detained for worshipping in public in September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. On 1 February 2021, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons near Asmara. The prisoners had been held between two and 12 years. 

I also welcome the release, on 4 December 2020, of 24 Jehovah’s Witnesses, including the three conscientious objectors, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea in her statement during the presentation of her report to the Human Rights Council in June 2020, and her interactive dialogue with the UN General Assembly on 26 October 2020.

While I welcome the release by the authorities of the Christians and Jehovah’s Witnesses, I have to note that Eritrea continues to impose restrictions on religious freedoms. I urge the Eritrean authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all of those who remain in prison because of their faith or belief. 

Turning to the issue of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, there has been no progress. The situation of detainees and political prisoners is particularly concerning. It is also not acceptable for Eritrea to arbitrary detain political opponents in secret prisons without charge or trial in violation of human rights standards. For example, since the last report of my predecessor, some prisoners such as Dawit Isaak, a Swedish-Eritrean journalist, and of ten of his colleagues remain for two decades in incommunicado detention. These are other examples of numerous cases of individuals who are currently languishing in Eritrean prisons, with no prospect of release. It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved. The practice of arbitrary and incommunicado detentions in Eritrea has serious impact on the life of many Eritreans. In the context of COVID-19, I call on Eritrean authorities to release those particularly vulnerable, including older detainees and those who are sick. 

I am also concerned of the imapact of the national serice on the right to educaiton of Eritrean students. The national service requirements oblige all secondary school students in the country to complete their final year at the Warsai Yekalo Secondary School, located in the Sawa military camp, and to undertake mandatory military training for approximately five months of that year. I am concerned that the conditions in the camp have impact on the right to education. It is reported that approximately 60 to 65 per cent of students at Sawa do not obtain the results needed for further studies and are either drafted directly into military service or sent to vocational training programmes. It is also alleged that military officials in Sawa subject students to ill-treatment and harsh punishments, including corporal punishment, and students undertake forced labour. I call on Eritrean authorities to put an end to such treatments and comply with their international human rights obligations. 

Finally, since my appointment, I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with Eritrean officials. On 18 December 2020, I requested an invitation to undertake an official visit to Eritrea in my capacity as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. I proposed that I visit Eritrea from 21 to 31 January 2021 to hold consultations with relevant officials from the Government and a range of actors with a view to assessing the human rights situation on the ground, and to exploring jointly future avenues for constructive engagement for the sake of the protection and promotion of human rights in the country. I have not yet received a response from the Eritrean authorities. I remain willing to engage constructively with the Government of Eritrea on urgent human rights concerns. I hope the Eritrean authorities will cooperate with my mandate and I am still awaiting their response. 

Thank you.

Hiding tracks…the Ethiopian government’s orders to their Tigray administration

Thursday, 25 February 2021 21:21 Written by

FEBRUARY 24, 2021  ETHIOPIA, NEWS, TIGRAY

The Ethiopian government is reported to have ordered the interim government of Tigray (in collaboration with the military) to eradicate all evidences of the extensive atrocities committed during the war in Tigray.

Signs of murder, rape, looting, displacement and destruction are being carefully removed.

This is being done ahead of opening up Tigray to members of the international media.

The problem for the Ethiopian government is that the people of the region can bear witnesses to what took place.

This explains a report that more than 6,000 internally displaced people are being transferred from  Axum university campuses to the prison center in Shire over the next two days.

Axum – the scene of probably the worst atrocity in the current conflict – is likely to attract considerable media attention once the region opens up.

Prime Minister Abiy announces access to Tigray for seven international media organisations, including BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera

Wednesday, 24 February 2021 17:38 Written by

FEBRUARY 24, 2021  ETHIOPIA, NEWS, TIGRAY

After blocking access since the war in Tigray broke out on 4 November, Prime Minister Abiy has finally relented. Aid agencies have also been granted visas and access.

A very welcome announcement, but let’s see what happens in reality.

EU envoy warns Ethiopia Tigray crisis ‘out of control’

Tuesday, 23 February 2021 22:32 Written by

 

FEBRUARY 23, 2021  ETHIOPIA, NEWS, TIGRAY

Haavisto told journalists that Ethiopia’s leadership had failed to provide a “clear picture” of the situation in Tigray — including the widely documented involvement of forces from neighbouring Eritrea. “The question of Eritrean troops is extremely sensitive, so we don’t get the clear answer about the whereabouts or magnitude of the Eritrean troops,” he said.

Source: Euractiv

File photo. An Ethiopian refugee woman with her child from Tigray region wait to receive aid at the Um Rakuba refugee camp, the same camp that hosted Ethiopian refugees during the famine in the 1980s, some 80 kilometers from the Ethiopian-Sudan border in Sudan, 1 December 2020. [Ala Kheir/EPA/EFE]

Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto warned Tuesday (23 February) that the crisis in Ethiopia’s conflict-hit Tigray region appears “out of control”, after visiting the country on behalf of the EU.

“You have come to the situation which is militarily and human rights-wise, humanitarian-wise very out of control,” Haavisto told journalists in Brussels.

Tigray has been the theatre of fighting since early November 2020, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced military operations against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), accusing them of attacking federal army camps.

He declared victory after pro-government troops took regional capital Mekele in late November, though the TPLF vowed to fight on, and clashes have persisted in the region, hampering efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance.

“This operation has lasted more than three months, and we do not see the end,” Haavisto said.

Finland’s top diplomat visited Addis Ababa this month — including meetings with Nobel Prize winner Abiy — on a fact-finding mission for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

He briefed foreign ministers from the bloc’s 27 nations on the crisis at a meeting on Monday.

Haavisto told journalists that Ethiopia’s leadership had failed to provide a “clear picture” of the situation in Tigray — including the widely documented involvement of forces from neighbouring Eritrea.

“The question of Eritrean troops is extremely sensitive, so we don’t get the clear answer about the whereabouts or magnitude of the Eritrean troops,” he said.

Addis Ababa and Asmara both deny that Eritrean forces are involved in the conflict, contradicting eyewitness reports from civilians, aid workers and some military and government officials in Tigray.

The EU has joined the United States in demanding Eritrean troops withdraw.

Haavisto repeated urgent calls from the international community for the Ethiopian government to grant full humanitarian access to Tigray, including areas beyond its control.

“What we need from the Ethiopian government is the greenlight to the humanitarian community to negotiate access to the Eritrean-controlled areas, to the opposition-controlled areas,” he said.

The UN says that areas where 80% of the region’s population live remain cut off from assistance and tens of thousands have fled across the border into neighbouring Sudan.

Haavisto warned that Sudan is struggling to cope with the influx and that it risked spiralling into a new driver for refugees towards Europe.

“We are seeing the beginning of one more potentially big refugee crisis in the world,” Haavisto said.

“If you don’t influence it now then the circumstances will build so that there are more and more refugees coming.”

In December, Brussels announced it was postponing some €90 million in aid to Ethiopia over its failure to grant full humanitarian access to Tigray.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar condemns war in Tigray as leading to a “catastrophic” humanitarian situation

Monday, 22 February 2021 23:09 Written by

FEBRUARY 22, 2021  ETHIOPIA, NEWS, TIGRAY

“The ongoing conflict in Tigray has led to a catastrophic humanitarian and human rights situation. By some estimates, hundreds of thousands are facing starvation. Tens of thousands have left the country as refugees. Reports come in daily of new atrocities, including allegations of massacres in churches and villages, rape, and the physical destruction of refugee camps.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on the Situation in Ethiopia

February 19, 2021
Press Release

MINNEAPOLIS—Rep. Ilhan Omar released the following statement on the ongoing situation in Ethiopia.

“My first trip abroad as a Member of Congress was to Ethiopia. I am also entering my second term as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the subcommittee with jurisdiction over Africa and human rights. This year, I am honored to be chosen as the Vice Chair of the subcommittee. The situation in Ethiopia is deeply alarming on many levels, and I have been following it extremely closely.

“I am deeply alarmed by the situation of the Oromo political prisoners, including Bekele Gerba and other leaders who are on hunger strike. The denial of access to medical treatment is a significant violation of their human rights and is only making the serious crises facing Ethiopia worse. The Ethiopian Government must treat these prisoners according to internationally recognized standards of human rights, due process, and human dignity.

“The ongoing conflict in Tigray has led to a catastrophic humanitarian and human rights situation. By some estimates, hundreds of thousands are facing starvation. Tens of thousands have left the country as refugees. Reports come in daily of new atrocities, including allegations of massacres in churches and villages, rape, and the physical destruction of refugee camps. Their whereabouts and condition are unknown.

“Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed must allow unfettered humanitarian access, and unfettered access to independent human rights investigators in Tigray so we can get a full accounting of the atrocities that have been reported. He must also lift the communications blockade to allow NGOs and other humanitarian organizations to be in touch with their staff on the ground, and to allow people living in Tigray – including many of my own constituents – to finally speak to their families.

“The Tigray conflict risks spilling over into an all-out regional conflict and could claim as one of its casualties the very fragile transition to democracy in Sudan. Our national interests, values, and basic human morality demand that the United States takes decisive steps to document the allegations of human rights violations and support justice mechanisms, at the international level if necessary. The Government of Ethiopia, TPLF, Government of Eritrea, militias, and any other actors in the region must be held accountable where crimes are proven. We must reject any narrative that seeks to absolve anyone who has committed these grave violations of human rights.

“We must also continue to press for unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, journalists, and independent and credible human rights organizations. We must not tolerate these things being carried out under the cover of a blackout.

“As brutal as the situation in Tigray has become, it is not the only problem compounding in Ethiopia. I am also extremely alarmed about the continued reports, which began even before the Tigray conflict, of the targeted murders of Amhara people throughout Ethiopia. The reported massacre at Mai Kadra, among many others, also demands justice and accountability.

“It is a tragedy to see the dream of a pluralistic, democratic, and free Ethiopia slipping away. The layers of legitimate unaddressed grievances held by so many Ethiopians have to be addressed before Ethiopia can conceivably move forward in peace. From my position as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights, and Global Health, I will continue to strongly advocate for lasting peace and transitional justice mechanisms that take a long view of the injustices perpetrated against too many Ethiopians for too many decades.”

New message to the people of Eritrea by Mesfin Hagos on the war in Tigray

Monday, 22 February 2021 23:06 Written by

Message from patriot Mesfin Hagos the regarding current situation

Mesfin Hagos

Honored people of Eritrea, it is to be remembered that we have repeatedly stated that the lawless Isayas regime, has moved you from one danger to another. By involving you in the Ethiopian civil war, which is not our business, he is exposing our people and our country to unwanted danger.

At the end of January 2021, a statement condemning the war waged by federal government of Ethiopia and its collaborators on peace loving people of Tigray as well as entry of Eritrean army into Tigray was released, which was signed by more than 80 Eritrean scholars and professionals.

The bad lack that has befallen the people of Eritrea has also happened to the people of Tigray and as such on its own land was made to disperse, to be hammered, to be humiliated by being deprived of its basic rights and honors. We would like to thank those Eritreans who saw this and voiced their protest. Their voice is befitting and reflective of the kind of brotherly relationship and collaboration that’s desire by the oppressed people of Eritrea.

We have to realize the fact that the injustice that’s being inflicted by the army of Abiy Ahmed and Isayas regime is the continuation of the injustices that were and continue to be committed on Eritrea and Eritrean citizens by dictator Isayas and his followers.

Injustice

Since the root cause of the suffering and injustice that’s being inflicted on the two neighboring peoples, the appeals that are being made on behalf of the people of Tigray not only influences us Eritreans but is also on our behalf too. While more than half of the injustice that was committed on Eritreans remains unknown to the outside world, when it crossed the border and occurred on another country, the world has started to pay attention to it.

Those of us who are able to move and speak have the moral and civic responsibility to speak up on behalf of our people who have been pinned from moving and silenced from speaking.

In November, a failed campaign was undertaken by Asmara that called “let us show our solidarity with our army.” Now Isayas and his allays are using similar trickery with a campaign (motto) “let us defend the sovereignty of our country” to attempt to hide the fact that they are exposing our people to danger and placing our sovereignty for bargain.

The two attempts are efforts to rationalize the actions of the regime and suppress the truth. However, while the people of Eritrea are being kept from utilizing the wealth within its reach and is starving, Isayas has agreed for Abiy to use Assab port without any restrictions and protocols.

Federation with Ethiopia

What is worse, sources from Asmara are indicating and warning that he has made a deal to suppress the sovereignty that we have secured by paying huge sacrifice and to unify, once again, our country Eritrea with Ethiopia through federation.

It is the people of Eritrea who have paid and continues to pay for such irresponsible actions of Isayas and his followers.

Those who are main culprits of these actions are high level commanders of the army and few of their colleagues that have become confused with narrow interests and who are vying to show their allegiance to Isayas and save themselves.

These are the ones that have made mid-level officials and youth members of the army, who gain no benefit out of this, victims of Arab (interests). Since our brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren are not able to make their voices heard, we have the responsibility to speak up on their behalf. History is calling us to stand against the death and destruction that has been occurring, is and continues to occur.

Eritrean Army

Honored army of Eritrea, even though you have been forced to engage in wrongful deeds by military command and disciplinary entanglements, you will be made accountable not only by your conscience, but also by law, for the actions that you are committing.

People of Eritrea  - inside the country and abroad - you have seen that unless you disobey in a unified and open manner, the regime of Isayas will not end.  Since the price we pay by our disobedience is much less, let us all collectively say ‘enough’ so that the intervention of the regime that took away thousands of our children and grandchildren ends in the Ethiopian civil war.

High-level officers of the Eritrean army: it is important for you to know that once you are finished sacrificing your comrades and children, Isayas will pluck you one by one.

Today, the number one enemy of our people and the primary source of danger to our sovereignty is Isayas.

You need to contribute your share now by standing with your people and bringing down this regime in order to heal and compensate for the destruction you have participated in up to now.

Thank you
“Message from patriot Mesfin Hagos regarding current situation,”

ATV Assena Youtube account, 22/02/21, 5 hours ago

Eritrean Political Forces Joint appeal

Eritrean Political Forces Joint appeal

Saturday, 20 February 2021 22:36 Written by

To:

H.E. Mr. Pekka Haavisto,

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Helsinki, Finland

Dear Mr. P. Haavisto,

February 16, 2021

We the     undersigned     allied     Eritrean     Political     Forces     in exile are deeply saddened by the rapid escalation of a deadly conflict between the Federal Ethiopian Government with unwarranted support of the Government of Eritrea on the one hand and Regional State of Tigray on the other. In particular the indiscriminate air strikes and ground attacks directed to Tigray occurs at a challenging time as the people struggle to contain the impact of Covid-19 pandemic and a massive locust infestation overwhelming the region during the time of the annual harvest season. Human Rights Watch has rightly said in a report published on February 11 that the apparently indiscriminating shelling of urban areas was a violation of the laws of war.

The world is by now receiving reports of the devastating effect of war on the economy and livelihood of the people and its negative impact on peace and security of the entire region. We continue to witness catastrophic humanitarian crisis with millions of internally displaced people and new waves of refugees fleeing to neighboring Sudan.

Dear Sir,

We Eritreans are particularly worried about the fate of the 172 000 Eritrean refugees most of them in Tigray and Afar regions who have fled enforced military conscription, indefinite national service, lack of freedom  of  speech  and  movement  and  political  persecution  and imprisonment. The invading Eritrean army which still exerts control over two of the refugee camps, namely Shimelba and Hitsaats, has destroyed most of the buildings in the camps and abducted thousands Eritrean refugees and sent them back to Eritrea. The camps are now closed by the Ethiopian government, and the whereabouts of their residents still unacounted.

This  is  done  in  broad  day  light  and  in  flagrant  violation  of international laws and norms. Unfortunately, the UNHCR High Commissioner  Fillipo  Grandi’s  appeal  to  the  prime  minister  of Ethiopia to address the situation as a matter of urgency has not been fulfilled.

Yours excellency,

Our allied forces in exile are aware that the Government of Finland had supported and continues to support the reforms and democratization policies initiated by PM Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia and  that  Finland along  other Nordic  countries works  for  regional peace, security and integration in the Horn of Africa. Therefore, we eagerly  await  the  result  of  the  ongoing  European Union  initiated dialogue and engagement under your leadership.

Our allied forces in exile also strongly believe that interests of the peoples of the Horn of Africa are complimentary and never mutually exclusive and building regional peace requires the acceptance by all of democratic values and norms and the belief in cooperation, dialogue and compromise in conflict resolution.

We would like to express our concern for the wellbeing of the civilian population of Tigray and Eritrean refugees in the area and appeal to Your Excellency and through you, to the European Union to:

    To ask the Ethiopian Government to guarantee the protection of Eritrean refugee in Tigray and Afar regions as well as in urban centers and allow the UNHCR to continue providing its services.

     Demand the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops fromTigray and impose sanctions on the members of government and impose an arms embargo of Eritrea.

    Put pressure on the    Ethiopian    Government    to    allow unfettered humanitarian access to Tigray and find ways of providing emergence food, water and, medical and sanitary supplies to the affected population;

    Condemn the Eritrean Government for its interference in the internal affairs of Ethiopia and demand its immediate withdrawal of its invasion forces;

    Send an independent group to Tigray to investigate the alleged indiscriminate killings including that of Eritrean refugees, the looting of property including church heritages and old manuscripts, systematic rape of women and wanton barning of crops.

    To  call  upon  the  Ethiopian  government  the  to  halt  the violence and resolve the conflict peacefully and engage in a genuine,   inclusive   and   credible   dialogue   under   the auspicious of a neutral international body;

Your Excellency,

A  delegation of  our  allied forced  is  willing explain to  your excellency’s    government,    our    understanding    of    the    recent developments  inside  Eritrea  and  the  region  as  a  whole  and  our endeavors  to  establish  a  constitutional  and  democratically elected government in  Eritrea that  abides by  the  rule  of  law  in  a  digital meeting at a time of your convenience.

Sincerely Yours,

For/ the Chairpersons:

ENCDC (Eritrean  National Council for Democratic Change) ENF (Eritrean National Front)

EPDP (the Eritrean People’s Democratic Party)

UDC (Organization of Unity for Democratic Change)

UEJ (United Eritreans for Justice)

RSADO (Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization) ENF-Hidri (Eritrean National Salvation Front) Copy

Mrs. Theresa Zittling

Director for Unit for the Horn of Africa and Eastern Africa

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Helsinki.

Tigray government lays out its terms for peace

Friday, 19 February 2021 23:23 Written by

FEBRUARY 19, 2021  ETHIOPIA, NEWS, TIGRAY

A statement regarding peaceful resolution by the government of Tigray

The people and government of Tigray fully understand that war brings human loss and social and economic crises. The price of war can’t be measured in money or other material measures. On the contrary, we know that it is secured by paying priceless human life. That is why the people and government of Tigray have at all times held and continue to hold uncompromising stance regarding peace. Therefore the people and government of Tigray are always prepared to resolve the invasion that we are currently confronted with through peaceful means. Even before we entered into war, not because it was our first choice, but because we were forced into it. Today also, it will not be (our first choice).
Because the people of Tigray undertook the election of its administrators, since the fascist clique of Abiy closed all avenues of peace, invited foreign invading forces and has continued to inflict injustice on us aiming to annihilate us as a people, we are currently fighting by holding an unshakable stance that our existence shall be secured by our blood and bones; and (as a result) are achieving a succession of victories. However, we would like to affirm, as a people and a government, that, even today, we are prepared to resolve the situation through peaceful means.
But we are going to engage in peaceful negotiations if, and only if, the following preconditions are fully actualized.
1. The alien invading force of PFDJ should leave the land of Tigray immediately. And the fact that it has left has to be confirmed by independent international body. It’s only then (that we’ll negotiate).
2. The sovereign territory of Tigray should be secured and those enemies of ours who are engaged in partitioning the land of Tigray to the south, North West, west and east leave the areas and the territorial integrity of Tigray is secured. It’s only then (that we’ll negotiate).
3. The body that has been instituted by enemies in the name of interim administration should be dismantled and the administration of Tigray, which has been elected by the people, is allowed to return to its place. It’s only then (that we’ll negotiate).
4. An international independent investigative body has to be instituted, conditions should be facilitated to enable it to freely investigate the genocide and war crimes that have been inflicted on the people of Tigray and it should start its work. It’s only then (that we’ll negotiate).
5. More than 4.5 million people of Tigray, who were displaced and exposed to severe social crisis, as the result of the invading forces should be made to receive emergency humanitarian aid, the international organizations that come to give humanitarian aid should be given unrestricted access. And the land of Tigray should be opened from end to end to journalists and international humanitarian agencies.
6. An international independent body has to be instituted and start work to investigate the property of the people, investors and government of Tigray that has been invaded and destroyed.
7. The politicians and other children of Tigray who are arrested as the consequence of the present situation should be released without any preconditions.
8. The peace negotiation has to be mediated by independent international body. It’s only then (that we’ll negotiate).
The government of Tigray
February 19, 2013
Tigray shall be victorious
Delivered via phone by Liya Kassa, spokesperson of the regional government of Tigray currently
Source: DW TV Facebook page, 19/02/21