Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN
Geneva, SWITZERLAND
November 27, 2004
Dear Sir/ Madam:
It is unfortunate that the United Nation’s vision, “of a world in which the human rights of all are fully respected and enjoyed in conditions of global peace,” still continues to elude the nation of Eritrea. Consistent with the noble mission of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), we the undersigned human rights petitioners would like to see, “the human rights of all Eritreans protected and promoted.”
The Eritrean reality, however, attests to the contrary. It is getting clearer by the day, that the fate of the Eritrean nation is hanging in the balance. President Isaias and his cronies have weakened the nation to such a low point, Eritrea’s governance has escalated into a full scale crisis. The triumph of tyranny in the country has resulted in the livelihood of citizens being compromised through no fault of the people.
In this petition, we would like to highlight the condition of Eritreans relegated to the status of refugees. Again, thanks to the tyrannical regime of President Isaias Afwerki, Eritrean refugees are facing the worst of times everywhere. One such group resides in the Sotriba Refugee Center in the Red Sea Zone of Eastern Sudan, for more than 20 years. Their status at the present time seems to be fragile, at best. We are concerned.
We read their plea from their communiqué of November 24, 2004. In the interest of originality, we would like you to read the same memo between the dotted lines:
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A Call
We are Eritreans residing in Sotriba Refugee Center in the Red Sea zone of eastern Sudan for more than 20 years. The residents of the Center are technicians, drivers, carpenters , teachers, farmers and herdsmen by profession who were forced to leave our country as the result of the atrocities committed by the defunct fascistic colonial regime of Colonel Menghestu Hailemariam of Ethiopia. In other words the majority of us were previously living in towns and cities in Eritrea. The Sudan, UNHCR and the Eritrean refugees were partners of the 1976 agreement for establishing the Center. But this agreement came into effect in 1988, the year we were practically accepted to live in the Sotriba Camp. The Center is administered by the Sudanese Commission of Refugees (COR).
Like all Eritreans we and our children have contributed dearly to the Eritrean Struggle for Liberation and as a result of the sacrifices paid by the entire population our country won its independence in 1991. But to our dismay our dream of a peaceful, just and democratic Eritrea has not been materialized. We cannot return to our country as the result of the policies of the PFDJ dictatorial regime in Eritrea. It was only one year since the independence of our country that is was heard to say that he will not allow any activity by the opposition organizations to which we were an inalienable part during the struggle for liberation.
The opposition organizations and the Eritrean refugees were eager to return to their country and participate in the reconstruction and democratization of their country. The opposition organizations, in fact, have also shown their readiness to lay down their arm and negotiate with the Provisional Government of Eritrea, but to our disappointment the calls fell on deaf ears. To the contrary the regime established a police state, whereby, detention without accusation and fair trial, extrajudicial killings, torture, etc., became the order of the day. As the result of these atrocities a new wave of refugees, among which are recent repatriates, is flowing to the neighboring countries.
Under such difficult situations, the residents of Sotriba Refugee Center have been informed on 28 August 2004 by Mr. Roland Harson, a Swiss citizen and a UNHCR represent at Shwek Refugee Camp, to pack our goods and leave the center within 45 days.
We harbour the suspicions that Mr. Roland can be an accomplice of the dictatorial regime of Asmara for the following reasons.
In addition, Mr. Roland was trying to convince us that the Eritrean government is the only government in the region that is at peace with its people.
We, therefore, appeal to all interested Eritrean organizations and individuals to make our voices heard to Human Rights groups, NGOS, governments, parties and responsible UN institutions.
Finally, we like to express our appreciation to the people and government of the Sudan for their tolerance and the kind hospitability they extended to the Eritrean refugees in the last 40 years. We believe these tolerance and hospitability will stay in place in this very difficult period of time.
Praise and Glory to our Martyrs,
Praise and Glory to the People and Government of Sudan
24.11.2004
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We the undersigned human rights petition sponsors, made up of Eritreans and friends of Eritrea residing all over the world, see it fitting to bring the predicament of these refugees to the attention of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for a timely resolution. It is our sincere hope that these Eritrean refugees get a fair hearing. We thank you.
NOTE: Please send your names to eritrea2eritrea@yahoo.com if you want to support this important-human rights petition. Needless to state, that our refugee compatriots in Sudan desperately need our moral support.
HUMAN RIGHTS PETITION SPONSORS
1. Abba Teweldeberhan Tzeggai, ITALY
2. Abba Solomon GhebreCristos, ITALY
3. Mr. Abddela Nasser, USA
4. Mr. Abdalla Nasser, CANADA
5. Mr. Abdelhamid Said Ali, RSA
6. Mr. Abdella Ibrahim, SUDAN
7. Mr. Abdella Said Idris, AUSTRALIA
8. Mr. Abdella Yassin, USA
9. Mr. Abdelwassie Mohammod Shimondi, RSA
10. Mr. Abdelwasie Suleman, CANADA
11. Mr. Abdu Ali Habib, CANADA
12. Mr. Abdu Mohammed, RSA
13. Mr. Abdu Nurhussen Suleman, SWEDEN
14. Mr. Abdu Safi, CANADA
15. Mr. Abdulrahman Abdusemed, SUDAN
16. Mr. Abdurahman Mohamed Ali, SUDAN
17. Ms Abeba Kidane, SUDAN
18. Ms Abeba Tesfagebreil, USA
19. Mr. Abel Kibrom, RSA
20. Mr. Abraha Aseffaw, USA
21. Mr. Abraha Gebre-Medhin Desta, USA
22. Mr. Abraha Ghebreselassie, CANADA
23. Mr. Abraha Tesfamicael, FRANCE
24. Mr. Abraham Ande, SUDAN
25. Mr. Abraham Aberra Berhe, SUDAN
26. Mr. Abraham Fessehaye Bahlbi, RSA
27. Mr. Abraham Gebreyesus Mehreteab, GERMANY
28. Mr. Abraham Ghebremariam, SUDAN
29. Mr. Abraham Rezene Tesfai, RSA
30. Mr. Abraham Tesfai, RSA
31. Mr. Abreha Gebre-Kirstos Hagos, USA
32. Ms Abrehet Haile, USA
33. Ms Addisalem Berhe, UK
34. Mr. Adem Mohamed, SUDAN
35. Ms Adiam Daniel Abraham, SUDAN
36. Mr. Adhanom Fitwi, NETHERLAND
37. Mr. Adhanom Menghesteab Haile, SUDAN
38. Mr. Adhanom Ghebrekiristos Teklehaymanot, RSA
39. Mr. Adhanom Michael, SUDAN
40. Mr. Afewerki Abay, GERMANY
41. Mr. Afewerki H. Birhane, USA
42. Mr. Afewerki Kidane, GERMANY
43. Mr. Afewerki Woldu, SUDAN
44. Mr. Afwerki Oqbatsion Tekle, SUDAN
45. Mr. Agaze Ntsere, UK
46. Mr. Ahmed A. Ibrahim, AUSTRALIA
47. Mr. Ahmed Abdelkader, SUDAN
48. Mr. Ahmed Abdulrehim, AUSTRALIA
49. Mr. Ahmed Heyabu, AUSTRALIA
50. Mr. Ahmed Mahmoud, AUSTRALIA
51. Mr. Ahmed Mehamed Abubaker, USA
52. Mr. Ahmed Y. Ibrahim, AUSTRALIA
53. Mr. Ahmedin Zeinu, SUDAN
54. Ms Aida Kidane, SWEDEN
55. Mr. Akal Afwerki, USA
56. Mr. Akal Amanuel, USA
57. MS Akberet Gebrezgeabher, USA
58. Mr. Aklilu Asefaw Kidane, RSA
59. Mr. Aklilu Teklesenbet Kidane, SUDAN
60. Mr. Alamin Beyan Abdelkader, SUDAN
61. Mr. Alamin Ibrahim, SWEDEN
62. Mr. Alamin Idris, AUSTRALIA
63. Mr. Alamin Siraj, SUDAN
64. Mr. Alazar Hagos, NORWAY
65. Mr. Alazar Hagos, SWEDEN
66. Mr. Alem Goitom, USA
67. Mr. Alem Hailu, RSA
68. Ms Alem Kidane, USA
69. Ms Alem Seyoum, USA
70. Ms Alem Tekie, GERMANY
71. Ms Alem Tesfamicael, SWEDEN
72. Ms Alem Tesfu, CANADA
73. Ms Alem Tewelde, NORWAY
74. Ms Alem Worede Zerizghi, RSA
75. Ms Alemitu Ghebremeskel, USA
76. Mr. Alemseged Kidanemariam, USA
77. Mr. Alene Medhanie, UK
78. Alexander Girmai, USA
79. Mr. Alexander Nguse Ghebremariam, SUDAN
80. Ms Alga Ghebremedhin, USA
81. Ms Alganesh Haile, USA
82. Ms Alganesh Tesfagergis, USA
83. Ms Alganesh Yacob, SWEDEN
84. Mr. Ali Amer, SUDAN
85. Ms Almaz Gebrekidan, USA
86. Ms Almaz Habte, SUDAN
87. Mr. Amahatsion Asfaw, USA
88. Mr. Aman Ghebrehiwet, SUDAN
89. Mr. Aman Mebrahtu Ghebremichael, SUDAN
90. Mr. Amanuel Haileghiorghis Weldemichael, SUDAN
91. Mr. Amanuel Issac Teklezghi, RSA
92. Mr. Amanuel Iyasu, SWITZERLAND
93. Mr. Amanuel K. Bahta, RSA
94. Mr. Amanuel Menghis, SWEDEN
95. Mr. Amanuel Tekeste, SWITZERLAND
96. Mr. Amare Gebre, USA
97. Mr. Amare Mobazion, USA
98. Ambassador Hebret Berhe, USA
99. Mr. Amine Belai Yhdego, SUDAN
100. Mr. A/Michael Elos, SWITZERLAND
101. Mr. Amine Zeru Berhane, SUDAN
102. Mr. Andeberhan Haile, SUDAN
103. Mr. Andeberhan Kifle, GERMANY
104. Mr. Andemariam Teclai Tecle, NETHERLANDS
105. Mr. Andemikael, USA
106. Mr. Andetsion Abrha, SUDAN
107. Mr. Andezion Ghirmay, GERMANY
108. Mr. Andom Girgis, GERMANY
109. Mr. Andom Mesfn, RSA
110. Mr. Angelo Beraki, USA
111. Mr. Angelo Ghebrehiwet, USA
112. Mr. Anghessom Haddish Ghebrehiwet, SUDAN
113. Mr. Antonio Tesfay, SWEDEN
114. Mr. Anwar Alishek, AUSTRALIA
115. Mr. Anwar Ismail, SUDAN
116. Mr. Aradom Bokre, USA
117. Mr. Arefayne Estifanos, SWEDEN
118. Mr. Aregai M. Teklezghi, USA
119. Mr. Arim Welenchiel, USA
120. Mr. Aron E. Ghebremariam, RSA
121. Mr. Asefaw G/Kidan, UK
122. Mr. Asefaw Ghebrekidan, UK
123. Mr. Aseffaw Gebre-giorges, USA
124. Mr. Aseffaw Haile, USA
125. Mr. Asgedom Hagos, USA
126. Mr. Ashebir Abraha, USA
127. Mr. Ashebir Dagnew, USA
128. Mr. Asihel Betsuamlak, USA
129. Mr. Asihel Betsuamlak, USA
130. Ms Askalu Kahsay, NETHERLANDS
131. Ms Askalu Petros, USA
132. Ms Asmeret, GERMANY
133. Ms Asmeret Gebremedhin, USA
134. Ms Asmeret Tsegai, USA
135. Mr. Asmerom Abraha, USA
136. Mr. Asmerom Fissehatsion Beraki, RSA
137. Mr. Asmerom Kidane, SUDAN
138. Mr. Asmerom Michael, SWEDEN
139. Mr. Asmerom Paulos, USA
140. Mr. Asmerom Seyoum, SWEDEN
141. Mr. Asmerom Teweldeberhan, SUDAN
142. Ms Aster Misghina, SUDAN
143. Ms Aster Musie, USA
144. Mr. Atoshim Tesfatsion Goitom, SUDAN
145. Mr. Atsbaha Haile, SWDEN
146. Mr. Aula Idris, AUSTRALIA
147. Mr. Awel Hasebu Abdelalamin, RSA
148. Mr. Awelkier Abdelkadr Said, RSA
149. Mr. Awelkier Hasebu Abdelalamin, RSA
150. Mr. Awet Fisihaye, SWEDEN
151. Mr. Azezom Asfaha, USA
152. Ms Azieb Habtemariam, USA
153. Mr. Bahlibi Kiflu, GERMANY
154. Mr. Bahta Tewelde, USA
155. Mr. Bairu Seyoum, CANADA
156. Mr. Bakht Houmada, AUSTRALIA
157. Ms Belainesh A. Adhanom, NORWAY
158. Ms Belainesh Negash, USA
159. Mr. Belay Negusse, GERMANY
160. Mr. Banuna Tekeste Tesfamichael, SUDAN
161. Mr. Beraki Girmay, USA
162. Mr. Beraki Musie, USA
163. Mr. Beraki Yohannes, CANADA
164. Mr. Beraki Zemicael, SWEDEN
165. Mr. Bereket Ghebreab, SWEDEN
166. Mr. Bereket Ghezae, RSA
167. Dr. Bereket Habteslassie, USA
168. Mr. Bereket Hadis, SUDAN
169. Mr. Bereket Haile, USA
170. Mr. Bereket Mesfun, GERMANY
171. Mr. Bereket Poulos, CANADA
172. Mr. Bereket Tekle, SWEDEN
173. Mr. BereketAb Y. Mebrahtu, CANADA
174. Mr. Berhan Beyan Mahamednur, CANADA
175. Mr. Berhan Gebre-Michael
176. Mr. Berhan Gedem, USA
177. Mr. Berhan Hagos, CANADA
178. Mr. Berhan Hagos, USA
179. Mr. Berhan I. Jaber, AUSTRALIA
180. Mr. Berhan Kebrom, SUDAN
181. Dr. Berhan M. Ahmed, AUSTRALIA
182. Mr. Berhan T. Weldegergis, RSA
183. Mr. Berhane Abraha, USA
184. Mr. Berhane Adhanom, USA
185. Mr. Berhane Beyene, SUDAN
186. Mr. Berhane Gebre-Selassie, USA
187. Mr. Berhane Habtai Teklezghi, SUDAN
188. Mr. Berhane Hagos, CANADA
189. Mr. Berhane Haile, USA
190. Mr. Berhane Kidane, SUDAN
191. Mr. Berhane Mehari, USA
192. Mr. Berhane Mengisteab, SWEDEN
193. Mr. Berhane Tesfazghi, SWEDEN
194. Mr. Berhane Woldeselassie, SUDAN
195. Mr. Berhe Adhanom, USA
196. Mr. Berhe Asseffaw Ukubay, USA
197. Mr. Berhe Birhanu, USA
198. Mr. Berhe Ermias, GERMANY
199. Mr. Berhe Kidane, SUDAN
200. Mr. Berhe Teklai, USA
201. Mr. Beshir Mohamed Ibrahim, SUDAN
202. Mr. Beshir Said Ahmed, RSA
203. Mr. Bethiel Yohannes, CANADA
204. Ms Bettina Woerz, GERMANY
205. Mr. Biniam Tesfai Beyene, SUDAN
206. Mr. Biniam Ghebru, SUDAN
207. Mr. Biniam Ghorgorios, RSA
208. Mr. Biniam T. Misgun, RSA
209. Mr. Biniam Ghebrenegus Sequar, SUDAN
210. Mr. Biniam Y. Tecle, RSA
211. Mr. Birhane Teklay, RSA
212. Mr. Bisrat Fessehaye, USA
213. Mr. Bisrat Kidane, RSA
214. Mr. Bisrat Mesgna, USA
215. Mr. Bokre Abrha, SUDAN
216. Mr. Brhane T. Weldegergis, RSA
217. Mr. Brhanu Mohammedsaid Imam, RSA
218. Ms Brkti Petros, RSA
219. Mr. Bruk Tekle, RSA
220. Mr. Daniel Adhanom, USA
221. Mr. Daniel Beyene Tedla, RSA
222. Mr. Daniel Ghebremichael Hailemariam, SUDAN
223. Mr. Daniel Haile Selassie, USA
224. Mr. Daniel Ketema, Costa Rica
225. Mr. Daniel Mesgina, RSA
226. Mr. Daniel Rezene Mekonnen, RSA
227. Mr. Daniel Tadesse, SUDAN
228. Mr. Daniel Tewelde, USA
229. Mr. Daniel Tzegai, GERMANY
230. Mr. Daniel Woldetnsae, UK
231. Mr. Dawit Abrha Habel, SUDAN
232. Mr. Dawit Angesom, GERMANY
233. Mr. Dawit Bahlibi, SWITZERLAND
234. Mr. Dawit Birhanu, RSA
235. Mr. Dawit G. Measho, USA
236. Mr. Dawit Gebremeskel, USA
237. Mr. Dawit Ghidei, GERMANY
238. Mr. Dawit Nguse Weldeab, SUDAN
239. Mr. Dawit Tella, CANADA
240. Mr. Dawit Teferi, USA
241. Mr. Debesai Negassi, GERMANY
242. Mr. Dehab Abraha, USA
243. Ms Demaris Woldeabzghi, SWEDEN
244. MsDemet Estifanos, USA
245. DR. Desalegn Abraha, SWEDEN
246. Mr. Desbele Abraha, USA
247. Mr. Desbele Kahsai, USA
248. Mr. Dirar Mantai Debesai, NETHERLANDS
249. Ms Eden Abraham, AUSTRALIA
250. Ms Eden Almedoun, USA
251. Ms Edena Dirar, NETHERLANDS
252. Mr. Efrem Gebrekidan, USA
253. Ms Eden Tafla, SUDAN
254. Mr. Efrem Ghebremariam, USA
255. Mr. Efrem Isayas, USA
256. Mr. Efrem T. Woldemichael, USA
257. Mr. Efrem T. Yohannes, USA
258. Mr. Efrem Tesfamicael, RSA
259. Mr. Elias Messmer, SUDAN
260. Ms Elsa Amaniel, SWEDEN
261. Ms Elsa Ghidei, USA
262. Ms Elsa Ghebrehiwet Meles, SUDAN
263. Ms Elsa Mesfen, USA
264. Ms Elsa Tewolde, USA
265. Ms Elsa Yemane, USA
266. Mr. Embaye Melekin, CANADA
267. Mr. Ephraim Berhane, GERMANY
268. Mr. Ermias Haile, SUDAN
269. Mr. Esayas Araya Berhe, USA
270. Mr. Estifanos Arefaine, SWEDEN
271. Mr. Eyob Beserat, SWEDEN
272. Mr. Eyob Fissuh, AUSTRALIA
273. Mr. Eyob Kesete, RSA
274. Mr. Ezra Fessehaye, USA
275. Mr. Eyob Mengistu, CANADA
276. Mr. Fanuel Mesfn, RSA
277. Ms Fatma Mahmud Mohammed Fayd, SUDAN
278. Ms Fatma O. Saleh, USA
279. Mr. Feden Fesseha, SWEDEN
280. Mr. Feshatsion Elias Weldemichael, SUDAN
281. Mr. Fessaha Ghebremariam, GERMANY
282. Mr. Fessha Hadgu Mehari, SUDAN
283. Mr. Fessehaye Hagos, USA