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" No , To Slavery Project of Warsai -Yikealo!
Yes , To Liberation project of Warsai Yikealo !" The Eritrean civic society organizations, have, today, 18th September , 2002 rallied in a peaceful demonstration in Stockholm. A standing peaceful demonstration, in remembrance of all political prisoners , in general , and the mass arresting of 18th September , 2001 of the government members, journalists , students and the elders, in particular , has been held at Mynttorget in the front of Swedish parliament ( Riksdagen ) in Stockholm. ***image1***Demonstrators have began to arrive at the place from half past five ( 1730 Local time ) in the evening. At six o'clock ( 18:00 Local time ) all were in the place. What made todays demonstration different from the previous ones is the joining of our two guests from Eritrea Semere Kesete, president of the Asmara University Students Union, who was detained for one year and his prison guard, Mehari Yohannes, who courageously saved him from the brutal detention. When Semere and Mehari arrived , the public at the demonstration applauded and shouted in a good manner ; Welcome ! Welcome !
Welcome to safety !
Welcome to peace !
Welcome to democracy !
Welcome to Stockholm ! The organising Committee of the demonstration has greeted the public welcome , and briefed the motives and statement of the demonstration. As observed, first, the contents of this demonstration commemorated the date when, We , Forces for Democracy and Change in Stockholm protested against the wrong doings of the Eritrean Government. 18th September is symbolic day for Eritreans in Stockholm, because it has broken the wall of hate between Eritreans and encouraged them to talk each other and it was a beginning of dialogue for national reconciliation and unity against the internal and external enemies of the Eritrean people. The demonstration remembered this day as a terror against the fundamental rights of the Eritrean people, in general and the detention of government members, journalists, students and the elder who tried to reconcile the conflicting parts, in particular. The demonstrations slogans focused more on the root causes and perpetual suffering of the Eritrean people under the brutal regime. The slogan against , Warsay / Yikaalo Campaign declared by the president on May 2002 is sham to divert the attention of the public not to ask their fundamental rights. It is a systemized modern enslavement of the people. Let us reverse , Warsai Yikealo to liberation project, shouted the demonstrators. The Festivals organised by the EPDJs cohorts in foreign countries have nothing to do with the Eritrean culture , but are used as means of collecting money to fill the coffers of the president, added, the public. It reflected also on the foreign relations of the country, the most remarkable was the presidents declarations seeking alliance with USA to fight against terrorism inside Eritrea is just to mask his daily human rights violations. The statement reminded the USA to conduct its foreign policy based on American democratic principles that respects human rights. Assuming the 18th September as our historical day, we show our commitment to continue our struggle on the side of our people against the oppression of the ruling party in Eritrea, emphasized the statement. Our todays call is not the same as the preceding calls for consultation and pledges to the ruling party but is directed towards our people and all members of the Eritrean society. On this occasion , we call :- - all the Eritrean Liberation Fighters struggle with tolerance and unted efforts to accomplish their national tasks efficiently, - warsay- yikealos efforts to be real and defending the safety and sovereignty rights of your but not instruments of the ruling party and be opposed to the slavery project by your name. We call the Eritreans in Diaspora: - organise yourself against the destructive system in Eritrea - stand against human rights violations in Eritrea - stand against women's rights violations in Eritrea - stop contributing and boycott all festivals used as instruments of oppression against our people. Appeals and speeches were delivered at the demonstration. The Appeal that was submitted to the Swedish Parliament and Government was read by Berhane Tesfatsghi, representative of the European Network of Eritrean Civil Societies , Sweden Branch. The appeal explained the deteriorating situation of human rights in Eritrea and reminded that Eritrea need the support of international community in order to get rid of these crimes. Semere Kesete delivered his speech commemorating the day he was arrested. In his speech , he remembered the situation of the students and the youth, especially those who lost their lives in Wia. He explained emphatically the intolerable political system, full of hatred and suspicion. He mentioned the event of 18th , September 2001 as a day of inhumanity and brutality. He recommended that the Eritreans for peace, justice and democracy reconcile and unite to save the Eritrean people from the quagmire. Arhe Hamednaka, a representative of the European Network of Eritrean Civil Societies , Delivered his speech in Tigrinja and Arabic. In his speech greeted , Semere and Mehari , Welcome to Stockholm. He briefed the humanitarian situation in Eritrea, especially about the new refugees fleeing and exposing their lives for risks. Some dying on their way to asylum land and others suffering in some countries neglected asylum. He praised the participants on his behalf and the organising committee. Rezene Tesfatsion, a member of the Civil Society- Popular Movement For Democracy, has read a letter written by the detained members of the National Assembly of Eritrea and members of the Central Committee of the ruling party ( PFDJ ). The letter has explored all the course of action taken against them as illegal and criminal. It explained the deplorable situation existing in Eritrea. The detainees expressed that they are ready to be sacrificed for the salvation of the Eritrean people. They recommended the new generation to take the responsibility and pass it to the next. Musa. Ahmed Ismail, musician and poet entertained the demonstration with music and song from the beginning to the end. He has given the demonstration flavour and attraction by the passing-by observers . The demonstration was well organised and disciplined. It has achieved its objectives and messages. More than 200 persons participated. In conclusion, the demonstrators repudiated emphatically the false allegations propagated by presidents lackeys and preachers and promised to continue their struggle against human rights terrorists all over the world. Organising Committee of Civil Society Organisations in Sweden |
