Our solidarity with the Awate Foundation is a moral and national duty  

Melbourne Rally Organizing Committee  
Melbourne - February 27, 2008  
   
We, the Organising Committee for Melboune Rally (OCMR), have been closely following with great concern the vicious campaigns waged against honest and decent Eritrean nationals by some fanatic writers who blindly follow PFDJ irrational rhetoric to attack and defame those who express dissent against the dictatorial regime ruling Eritrea. Those who have opposed human rights abuses in Eritrea and called for the rule of law had paid dearly, not because they have committed any crimes, but simply for defending the principles of justice, freedom, and human rights.

OCMR denounces and condemns the hateful campaign literature and tendentious misrepresentation, defamation and obscenities committed against the Awate Foundation and its affiliates, by the writer Sophia Tesfamariam. We consider this to be an insult and slander to any free Eritrean, and it complements the crimes committed by the Eritrean regime in confiscation of freedom of opinion and press, and killing of journalists and other innocent Eritrean citizens.  
 
OCMR expresses its unwavering solidarity with the Awate Foundation and commends its important contributions of the great benefits towards the nation (Eritrea), and appeals to all the noble forces to come together for greater coherence synergy and advocacy. All forces that reject the miserable conditions and the dangers posed by the Eritrean regime, will not be exempted from the filth and the follies of its supporters. Therefore, the salvation of these forces and anyone challenging the forces of injustice, aggression and evil lies in the unity, friendliness and coordination among them.  

OCMR strongly condemns the accusations, humiliations and fabrications recently made against the Awate Foundation, and we greatly support and believe that Eritreans who stand up for justice should not miss this opportunity to legally challenge those who falsely and wildly attack individuals for expressing their political opinion. Undoubtedly, it is a clear case of libel involving a particular person, with the intention to offend and defame and not to refute or criticize his opinions.

OCMR appreciates the legal recourse taken by the Awate Foundation and fully support morally and materially for the legal proceedings to start. It is time to face the crimes of disseminating false and erroneous news and rumors; it is time to act against defamation, insults and assaults on the personal aspects and the violation of the symptoms of people and their families. OCMR will base the legal precedent for the work of Eritrean media to be more disciplined and responsible. Therefore, we must not hesitate in pursuing the legal proceedings and move the case to the highest level, which will ultimately determine the criminal responsibility of the writer Sophia Tesfamariam and civil liability for the web sites published her article. A caution at the same time of any follies and absurdities that may be committed by the Eritrean regime and its supporters.  
 
OCMR also urges all national Eritrean forces and communities to align with the Eritrean people’s hopes and aspirations for justice, peace and democracy and to consider these issues as its own and to fully support it materially and morally and create a permanent practical mechanisms to support similar cases in the future. Also, we are happy to express our satisfaction at this constructive response received by the Awate Foundation readers and supporters of freedom and noble causes.  

Long live all Eritrean honorable sites and their heroes administrators.
Long live the free press for its brave and committed writers.   
Shame and disgrace to the imputed writings and blind followers of injustice.