[AI] Asmarino Independent

Eritrean-Ethiopian Frienship Forum

Ethiopian & Eritrean Friendship Forum (EEFF) is holding its fourth annual conference on March 24th, 2012. Building on last year’s success, this year’s theme is "Healing Past Wounds -- Building Our Future Together", a critical idea to focus on in this increasingly competitive global economy.

We are sending this announcement to the wider Ethiopian and Eritrean community for two reasons:
- to invite as many people as possible to attend the conference. Be part of the solution!
- to invite thought leaders to share their views as panelists.

The son of a Priest thinks that God is his Uncle.

The demonstration called by Mr.  Kyriakakos et.al is not an isolated incident.  Even though on the surface it appears that it was in reaction to the WFP articles, but none the less it is not.  It was part and parcel of the series of demonstrations and seminars that suddenly erupted in the month of December 2011 called “Hizbawi Mekete” (National Rebuff) to object the sanctions on Eritrea that was being debated at the UNSC and show to the international community that the Eritrean government enjoys the full support of its people.  The instruction to demonstrate and hold public meetings and seminars was issued by the office of Mr. Yemane Gebreab, political advisor to the President of Eritrea and in charge of the “Hizbawi Mekete”.

Melbourne Rally 2012: For How Long Can You Remain Silent in the Face of Oppression?

As in previous years, we call on the Diaspora communities living in the free world that have chosen to be silent in the face of oppression and the ever growing injustice committed against the Eritrean people to fight for the people's rights. We remind you that you are morally obliged and duty bound to speak for the Eritrean people and to stand-up against injustice. We remind you the freedom that you enjoy are the outcomes of sacrifices paid by people who believed in liberty, freedom, justice and democracy. So, why don’t you demand for the Eritrean people the same civil rights that you are relishing? We encourage you to be part of the struggle for democratic change?

Ambassador Rice's Remarks on Resolution 2023

The United States is pleased with the adoption today of Resolution 2023, imposing additional sanctions on Eritrea for its failure to comply with its obligations under previous Security Council resolutions, including 1907, passed two years ago this month.

This resolution underscores the international community's condemnation of Eritrea's destabilizing behavior in the Horn and its support for terrorism. It strengthens the provisions of 1907 and imposes additional obligations on Eritrea and limits its ability to continue to use the mining sector and the diaspora tax to fund its illicit activities.

Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, after the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2023

Mr. President, that was two years ago. What has happened since? As we heard again this morning, we have continually received evidence of Eritrean support for extremist groups in the region. Eritrea still has not resolved its border dispute with Djibouti. The UN's Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group has documented Eritrea's support for terrorism, including an appalling, planned attack on the January 2011 African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. According to the monitoring group, Eritrea is financing all of these activities through illicit means, including threats and the extortion of a "diaspora tax" from people of Eritrean descent living overseas.

In direct response, this Council has today imposed tougher sanctions.Our goal is to show Eritrea that it will pay an ever higher price for its actions. Building on Resolution 1907, this resolution imposes new obligations on Eritrea, including to cease illicit practices to extort funds from its diaspora.

Hundreds of Refugees Held Hostage in Sinai Torture Camps Need Rescuing

Claims that a large number of refugees have been released from Sinai camps following media reports represents only a partial picture of the current situation on the ground. Human rights organizations worldwide have come together to publish up-to-date information in their possession which shows that the smuggling networks are still up and running and that hundreds of refugee hostages are being tortured by human traffickers in the Sinai.

An Eritrean Evangelist Deported for Saudi Arabia Disappears in Eritrea

(Asmara 02-12-2011) An Eritrean evangelist, deported from Saudi Arabia escaping death penalty for preaching Christianity outside a local mosque in Jeddah, has disappeared in Asmara and friends fear that he may be in the notorious high security Wenjel Mermera Prison (crime investigation prison).

Mussie Eyob was detained by Saudi authorities, on the 12th of February, for preaching outside a mosque in an area of Jeddah locally known as Haya Roda. His action is said to normally carry a death sentence under Saudi law, however following concerted appeal on his behalf he was deported to his native Eritrea only to disappear into Eritrea’s vast prison system where many Eritrean pastors and evangelists have been detained incommunicado for nearly nine years.

Panel Discussion: Seyoum Tesfaye and Yosief Ghebrehiwet on Paltak

Where: Eritrea Simerr for Change Room

When: Saturday, Dec. 3rd, at 11:00 AM (Los Angeles time) or 8:00 PM (Berlin time).

The subject matter of the discussion will revolve around the following four central questions:

1. What is the root cause of the Eritrean predicament, which seems intractable and, consequently, incapable of coming to a resolution?
2. The Eritrean people have been living a miserable life in Eritrea. Has this been happening due to lack of democracy?
3. How do we solve the current problem: through non-violent or violent means ...

A CALL FOR RALLY IN WASHINGTON DC

Concerned Eritreans living across the US are calling for a rally to be held in front of the White house to mark the International Day of Human Rights, to remember Eritrean victims of human traffickers, and to commemorate the struggle of the Eritrean people for human rights and justice. We call upon all Eritreans and friends of Eritrea to take part in the demonstration. We also appeal to Eritrean Civic groups and political parties to actively encourage and mobilize their members to participate in order to accelerate the momentum for change currently spearheaded by the youth movement. It is imperative, therefore, that peace and justice loving Eritreans unite to bring an end to the suffering of our people at home and those multitudes sheltered in horrible refugee camps.

Yosief Ghebrehiwet on EYSC Paltalk: From the killing Fields of Sahel to the killing fields of Sinai

Yosief Ghebrehiwet will give a speech in EYSC Room (otherwise known as Eritrean Simerr for Change Room) on Saturday, Nov 19, at 11:00 AM (Los Angeles time). The topic of the speech will be: From the killing Fields of Sahel to the killing fields of Sinai – 50 years of journey. The main theme of the speech will be: what is it that has led us to the present predicament, as best exemplified in the ongoing massacres at Sinai desert? Various strands, some that go as far as 50 years back and beyond, that have contributed to the present predicament of the youth will be explored. Among others, the following three questions will be addressed:

Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change (EYSC)

The Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change (EYSC), in accordance with its mission to galvanize the youth and encourage them to be active participants in the fight against the dictatorship, deems it necessary to craft this vision toward a better tomorrow. We firmly and without reservation believe in the following truths and that today’s youth has an obligation to work hard and address the following.

1.    National Salvation
We recognize that the deteriorating situation in our country requires a sense of urgency. The speed at which the fabric of our society is being undone is astounding. Just in the past decade, hundreds of thousands of young people have left the country; leaving behind a police-state rampant with corruption and the total absence of legal rights. The status quo is unsustainable and if things are left to fate even darker lay ahead. It is imperative that a corrective action takes place right away to rescue the country and salvage its hard won independence.

ENCDC Invites Everyone to Join the Paltalk Discussion

Commissioners and Treasurer Semira Saleh ,  Abdulkarim Mustafa, Yassin Abdalla and  Daniel Tewelde are invited to speak at Paltalk This Saturday Nov. 5rd, 2011. The commissioners will discuss ENCDC and its activities in general and the fund raising in particular and Q & A will follow.