The Fight against the Eritrean Tyrannical Regime
Must Continue
For the last 9 years, we rallied peacefully
against PFDJ-sponsored ‘so-called’ cultural festival in Australia, demanding the
transfer of power to the people; respect for human rights; an end to oppression
and extra-judicial killings; an end to confiscation of people’s land; the
prevailing of the rule of law; citizens’ rights to education, proper health
services, employment and other rights that a decent and good government provides
to its people. Our cries for justice have been ignored; our demands for the rule
of law have not been met. In fact, the political, economic and social situations
have been worsened due to the irresponsible acts and failed policies of the
Eritrean government. So, why should we stop raising our voices on behalf of the
voiceless and oppressed people inside Eritrea?
This year, our focus is on the Diaspora community in
general, and in particular those who live in the free world and who have chosen
to be silent in the face of oppression and the ever growing injustice committed
against the Eritrean people. We remind you that you are morally obliged and duty
bound to speak for the Eritrean people and to stand-up against injustice. We
remind you the freedom that you enjoy are the outcomes of sacrifices paid by
people who believed in liberty, freedom, justice and democratic principles. So,
why don’t you demand the same civil rights for the Eritrean people and be part
of the democratic struggle for change?
Although you are aware of the dire situation in Eritrea, we
remind you of the following:-
·
Our youth have been
denied the right to education and are forced to serve in the military for
indefinite period, and in the process, they have wasted their youth, future and
valuable time in trenches.
·
Our elderly have been
arrested, fined a sum of money well beyond their financial capacity and
humiliated being accused of assisting their children to flee to neighbouring
countries.
·
Our religion leaders
and teachers have been arrested and disappeared without any charges and fair
trial.
·
Our politicians have
been incarcerated for demanding the implementation of the constitution and the
rule of law.
·
Our people’s land have
been confiscated
·
Our farmers have been
ordered not to sell their produce and to hand part of their produce to the
Eritrean government
·
PFDJ refused to accept
any form of humanitarian aid while the people are in desperate need of
assistance
These are some examples of the sad situation in our home
country. If these atrocities and irresponsible acts by the Eritrean government
don’t move your conscience, what else?
The peaceful demonstration has achieved its main objective of
encouraging a significant portion of Eritreans in Australia to boycott PFDJ
festival. Festival turnover is on a steady decline from one year to the next,
although we don’t expect any formal admission of that by the Eritrean
authorities. The demonstration is having a consciousness-raising effect
certainly not to the desire of the Eritrean regime and its supporters. It is
undeniable that the aim of the festival has shifted dramatically; from an
earlier purely income generating occasion to a survivalist political
intransigence. The insistence on the continuation of the festival in the face of
popular rejection is almost getting to a point where it can only be interpreted
as a meaningless challenge to the will of the majority.
Enough is enough, fight for the people’s rights.
Melbourne Rally Organising Committee
26 December 2010
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