The UK delegation of the Eritrean Anti Tyranny Global Solidarity met with an official of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Tuesday 2nd May 2006 in London.
As one of the sponsors of the petition drive, a deligation composed of members of EHDR – UK met with Mr Martin Lamport, Deputy Head of the Horn of Africa Section.
In a meeting that lasted over an hour the delegation, made a strong and passionate case on the need to change the approach of the international community in dealings with the Eritrean government. The delegation went on to argue that inspite of the current style of engagement practiced by the UK and the international community, the situation on the ground is getting worse by the day, and called for stronger moves such as travel ban of government and PFDJ officials.
The delegation further expressed its concern on the way the Eritrean Embassy operatives intimidate those protesting and calling for change and the on the use of the Embassy for purposes other than normal Embassy business.
At the end of the meeting, the delegation delivered the petition containing the petition letter addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and the sealed envelope containing the names of petitioners.
Mr Lamport for his part, stated that the current situation in Eritrea was serious and that the British government does raise the issue of human rights in Eritrea with Eritrean officials at every opportunity. He accepted the petition documents and made a commitment to look into the concerns raised.
The delegation which included Mr Noel M Joseph, Mr Assefaw Ghebrekidan and Mr Suleiman A Hussain remarked that overall the meeting was successful and constructive.
