On Monday 22nd May 2006, the Swiss delegation of the Eritrean Anti Tyranny Global Solidarity met in Bern, capital city of Switzerland, with officials from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. As one of the sponsors of the petition drive, Eritreans for Peace and Democracy (EFPD) along with a Swiss national, friend of Eritrea, held talks with Miss Sabina Vigani, Miss Lorenza Faessler and Mr. Pietro Mona, officials from the Political Division - Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy Section of the foreign Ministry.
EFPD first sent a letter to Mme Micheline Calmy-Rey, foreign Minster of Switzerland, explaining the difficult situation the Eritrean people are going through under the present regime and requesting a meeting. The Minster replied by expressing her concern about the persistent political and humanitarian problems in Eritrea. She oriented EFPD to the political division of the foreign ministry.
In a meeting that took about two hours, after giving a briefing on the glomming human and democratic rights violations in Eritrea, the delegation went on developing on the nature of the regime and the perverted missions of its embassies (intimidating critics in Diaspora, collecting a 2% tax and other questionable activities). Delegates also explained the current humanitarian crises unfolding in front of the international community and the so-called “cash for work” new policy of the regime exposing the real motivations behind such a policy. The delegation also made a request that the Swiss government consider restricting visas accorded to Eritrean officials traveling to Switzerland on unofficial visits.
The meeting continued on discussing extensively the issues interactively with all the participants. The officials informed the delegates that after trying to cooperate and further dialogue with the government of Eritrea for years, Switzerland retreated and cut almost all connections with it except for urgent humanitarian assistance. Switzerland doesn’t consider anymore the Eritrean government as a serious partner and is open to work with civil society organizations. The officials expressed their readiness to further consolidate relationship with EFPD.
The problems faced by the Eritrean asylum seekers in Switzerland were also discussed. A request was made that Switzerland delivers at least temporary permits to all Eritrean asylum seekers and whom the authorities consider not qualified for the refugee status.
Finally, delegates appealed to the Swiss government not to abandon the Eritrean people and work in association with the European Commission and other European countries to contribute their share on the difficult work that the EU has embarked in the process of political dialogue in order to secure democratization and human rights in Eritrea. To use any possible platform offered to Switzerland to put pressure on the regime to respect human and democratic rights of the Eritrean people.
The officials from the foreign ministry assured the delegation that they will submit the appeal and the petition to Mme Micheline Calmy-Rey, foreign Minster of Switzerland.
