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I was living in a very bad situation. If one is being accused of treason, let alone a year a month is enough time for the government to present its case in court. First of all, treason is a crime; and if someone is accused of treason then it should not be difficult for the government to present its evidence in a court of law and make sure that justice is served. In Short, I have not seen a prison system that prevents the trial [of the accused] in a court of law. If anyone is believed to have committed a crime, he should not be treated with vengeance but he must stand trial. Additionally, I can only say that an oppressive system [like ours] is capable of such injustices because, Eritreans are denied the right to set up their own system that would serve them [according to their wishes]. People are intimidated from coming out to struggle for the sake of peace and stability; development and the rule of law in Eritrea. They [PFDJ] are holding the people oppressively so that they cannot come out [to struggle] against them. They are scaring the people with the consequences of their actions [defaming] to make them docile. Had I escaped to the Sudan, they would have branded me as a fifth columnist. Incidentally, had I not been born as a Christian, they would have called me a Jihadist…. that is had I fled to the Sudan. Has the government presented its case against you? It was during ‘kremtawi maetot’ [campaign conducted during school break] … it was not to the interest of the students, especially, the students of the University of Asmara. We [the students] made this clear to them [government officials] long before; they would not understand us. This is due to the fact that [they] are not tolerant. As I said, the campaign was not to the interest of the students; it was illegal. It violates the rights of the students; it cripples the people economically; in the context of education, it does not allow for a break. After such a campaign, for a student to come back and go straight back to school would be difficult to absorb the lessons given. But did they accuse you of anything else apart from the ‘kremtawi maetot’? Although I was not in the higher position, I had access to the system through my personal network [acquaintances]. When the Berlin [later known as the G13] surfaced, I can say that it caused a problem for the government. Because, they, [the government] required my contribution and wanted me to use my position in the students union, to propagate against those intellectual Eritreans. I was being instigated and wooed through different offers. Who asked you and when? The Ministry of Information starting December of 2000. Now Semere, tell us about your situation in jail. Were you tortured? Can you mention anything if you suffered physically or mentally? I was confined to a small cell. I was not allowed to meet other prisoners and was not allowed to go out in the sun. I was only talking to my guard. My hands were handcuffed behind my back for two weeks. Do you remember anyone who was around you in jail? I would say I was in a better situation than others. Let me give you one example: Mehari tells me that a young man named Dejen Ande Hishel, an ex-student who grew up in the Revolutionary School [a school run by the EPLF during the armed struggle] and who was later a Mig-29 pilot and instructor after independence, was picked by two men from his work on March 18, 1999. Until July 2002, no one knew his whereabouts. He repeatedly asked [his jailers] what his crime was, why he was in jail and who brought him there; he never got an answer. His father and mother are combatants. His father is a lieutenant Colonel. His two elder brothers are also combatants-- that comprises the whole family. He never saw the sun. His family was allowed to visit him after [he spent] three years and five months in jail. Where were you jailed, Semere? I was jailed in the Sixth Police Station [known as sdstegna from the Dergue era]. There is something I would like to tell you about that police station: from the outside, the place looks like a normal station - a jail for common criminals. But inside, it is the prison for all those who are in disagreement with the PFDJ. Did your family ever visit you? No, I was not allowed any visitation rights. Do you know where the jailed reporters are? Where I was jailed, I know only few people: Feron Weldu, Hassen Kekya, Sunabera, Kuflom Gebremichael and Ali Alamin Ali (both worked for the American Embassy in Asmara), Ali Mohammed, Bitweded Abraha ….Abdu Younis is in Karsheli. I also know of Aho Ali Aho, who is the Baito [regional assembly] Chairman of the South Red Sea Region; and Ali Issa Ali, Deputy Governor of the Port of Asseb. Unfortunately I don’t know where the reporters are jailed now. Let us go back to the jail. How were you able to walk out of the gates of that jail? The hero of the operation is Mehari [Yohannes]. Without him, nothing could have been accomplished-- Mehari mhret awriduley [He is my savior] . First of all, when we agreed to escape with Mehari, he studied the situation. One day during changing of guards… it was in the evening, 5:50 PM, Mehari came with two bombs and a Klashnikov. He opened the door and said: “let’s go”. Then we left Asmara. Was this on foot or you had a getaway car? It was on foot from Asmara until the Ethiopian boundary. How about when you crossed the demilitarized zone, what difference did you notice? The whole trip was through the mountains. We walked day and night and we slept when we got a chance. How were you received in Ethiopia? The received me well and that was beyond my expectation. What are your plans now? I would have liked to do many things for myself. However, as you know, the situation in our country is very bad. Our people are held by a system that does not yield to law; a system that goes against all the values for which we paid many sacrifices with the lives of our brothers and sisters. A situation, contrary to our expectation, is prevailing. The [system] has buried the Eritrean people under the ground while they are still breathing. Just like any conscientious Eritrean who is working hard by turning the stones, I will contribute my share by lifting some stones …that is my first plan. We heard that you are planning to go to Europe, is that true? No, nothing of that sort so far. But you will like to go out from where you are? I will go wherever I believe I can contribute to the struggle. On this occasion, what kind of message would you like to send to Isaias? I would not like to send a message to our brother Isaias as an individual. Our problems are with the system, because it is anti-people. And since he [Isaias] has the highest role within the system that has become illegal, I would say to him the following: even now, it is not too late to surrender power to the Eritrea people. And what would you say to the Eritrean people? To the Eritrean people in general, inside and outside the country, I would like to send them a message asking them to remember that there is light after darkness, pleasure after suffering, dignity after humility and satisfaction after hunger. To our people in the Diaspora, I would ask them to evaluate the concrete situation of our people and work for its stability and its development. As a citizen, I am proud of those who work to alleviate the problems of our country and I would like to express my appreciation [to them]. Currently, the people inside Eritrea could not find the two things and are expecting them from our people in the Diaspora. I would like to emphasize this again and again: first they want satisfaction that comes with the rule of law and secondly they couldn’t find something that would help them bring about the rule of law. To The university students? To those inside and outside Eritrea, their contribution to my case when I was jailed is something I would not find enough words to describe. And after my escape, the congratulations and messages of good will are well appreciated. But in what situation are our people? Those who were lucky [to get education] and were able to find out the real situation, must struggle so that our people will be ruled by law, live in a stable Eritrea and have their rights respected. To this end, I would like to remind them that we have a natural obligation and our role should be important, I emphasize that our role should be bigger in this regard. Allow me to ask you something personal; are your father and mother alive? You can ask me anything, do not hold yourself back. Thank you. I just wanted to know whether your parents are alive before I ask you this question. I mean, naturally your parents would be worried about you, would you have a message to them? Since all parents in Eritrea lack peace of mind, my parents are no different. I would like to tell them that I am all right. Semere, did you have any relations with the jailed members of the PFDJ leadership, those who are known as G15? I had better relations with those in power than with the jailed leadership. We hear that you had an exceptionally good relations with Abdella Jabir…how is that? Yes. Excuse me Saleh, I don’t want to mention individuals because PFDJ is [in the business of] weakening our people’s backbone by meticulously looking into people’s identities; and studying their geographical origins. They have demoralized and sucked the life out of the Eritrean people [and killed] their will to struggle. And since I consider them [government] a power that got together by accident, I would rather prefer not to dwell on individuals. But the Ministry of Information, the PFDJ office, Hamamete [ PFDJ’s youth union], Hakose’e … Sorry Semere, what is “Hakose’e”? Workers union. They have been pushing me to campaign with what I can against the democratic struggle: sometimes with threats and other times they tried to corrupt me [bTqmi msdaE’]; but I did not yield to all of that. At any rate, I believe that the focus should be in the system and not on individuals. You must have had some knowledge about the opposition while you were inside Eritrea; now that you are out and can speak freely, how do you evaluate them and what message would you send to the opposition? I would like to comment on two things: The Eritrean people are expecting salvation. Salvation is the most urgent. To do this, unity is required, since I believe that it woul lead to prosperity. I believe they [opposition] should discard all issues that are below the national interest and should work together. Secondly, there might be differences [among the opposition] as in other parts of the world; but since we have a tradition [blessed with] the spirit of understanding and togetherness, [they should work] to install a democratic system. We should not focus on individual issues. You must have read or heard that there are insults, wanton branding… regional and other identity related derogatory remarks. I am sure you have got your share of such insults. What would you say to those who are insulting you? Basically, I believe this is the work of the PFDJ. A true national who cares for the Eritrean people and wants to be useful to Eritrea could not possibly use such words that cannot bring about justice or stability to Eritrea. In addition, I have experienced that and tasted that myself. They are weaknesses … and it is a demoralizing scheme, and they are [continually] using it until now. However, I believe the people are now conscious enough and will not accept such a thing. I would have liked to ask them for forgiveness. They did not die for this. They did not give their lives for this. I apologize to our Martyrs for failing to fulfill their dreams. OK, Semere, we would like to stop here. Is there anything you would like to add before we finish? [Semere expressed many recognitions and niceties about Awate.com] … I would like to thank my hero, my brother Mehari Yohannes, for carrying out this historic bravery in my life and that of the Eritrean people. I would also like to ask our people to recognize his bravery. Those who risk their lives for the sake of others [like Mehari] are quite few. | ||
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