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An Eyewitness Report: Terror In Keren |
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By Gedab News -
Jul 10, 2002
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On Monday July 8th, Keren witnessed heavy house-to-house rounding up, apparently targeting those who are hiding from performing the mandatory "national service". The Rounding up started at around 4:00AM and continued all day long. Around 3000 people were rounded up and held in the city's stadium (Jocko). Military officers (MO) used every means to enter houses: they jumped over fences and forcefuly opened doors to take girls, boys, and even young mothers with children. This time, even "menqesaqesi wereqet" (moving permit) was not of any help. People were rounded up regardless. Many people with foreign passports were also detained. An officer with a stick beat a man, on vacation from Canada, when he tried to show his passport. Later he angrily shouted, "I regret the day I came to Eritrea". Another man in his 60s was also badly beaten by two officers when he refused to let his only two daughters be taken away.
Most of those taken away were young girls; they were hiding in churches and mosques. The people of Keren were in shock. The situation was very Chaotic. Mothers were running towards the stadium with IDs for their children trying to convince the officials that their children are under age, need medical attention or are excempt. When they reached the gates of the stadium, the shouting and cries of the mothers got louder. A group of about 7 military men started hitting them with sticks as everyone watched in horror. The gate was later closed and mothers were left crying outside the stadium until the next morning. The ages of those who are held range from 14 to 50.
The situation inside the stadium was also very tense as some youth tried to confront the soldiers and attacked one of the soldiers. Some of the young men took the opportunity tried jump over the fence and run for their lives; about ten people almost got away. Later, more enforcement troops arrived and subdued the detained crowd.
Inside the stadium, people were divided into groups. They were Students, visitors from overseas, those who are currently on leave, those who were on national service in government offices, etc. Most were allowed to go. But many were transported to a different location, as they did not have ID's. Many were taken from their homes wearing pajamas and were not given a chance to change their clothes.
Around midday, people were staring to get tired and thirsty and two ladies fainted. People needed water so the rubbish bins in the stadium were filled with water, and you could see trash floating on top of the water, but people had to drink anyway. Later in the day, they brought some bread and people had bread with water. By about 6PM, most of the people were allowed to leave and you could see some movement in the streets of Keren. People were talking loudly in the cafeterias, an old man was shouting "derg hayes minkom" (The Dergue is better than you) to an officer.
The "gffa" has been going on in Keren for almost a week now; but it was not house-to-house. The one that started on Monday terrorized keren. The "gifa" was also conducted in other cities: Agordat, Barentu and Asmara and other cities. The worst stories were coming out of Barentu, many reported that people clashed with the officers and many were wounded, as was the situation in Keren.
The cause for the roundup is rumored to be the news that some underground youth groups have been preparing to hold a demonstration; the leak of the news in believed to be the reason for the harsher than usual "gffa". There is still heavy presence of Military Officers in the streets of Keren.
The only Internet cafe in keren was re-opened at night. Normally crowded, this time, few people were in the Cafes.
This is a quick eyewitness account. I wish I could find more time to update you. Please investigate with your people. |
