Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Eritrea: Political Persecution of Desertion and Conscientious Objection

(15.09.2010) It was very depressing. Together with Eritrean opposition groups, we held a demonstration in early May in Frankfurt am Main to prevent two Eritrean deserters being deported. But they were still sent off to Eritrea on 14 May 2008 in a private plane chartered for the purpose. Many people had warned what would happen when they arrived in Asmara: they were arrested at once, and taken to an unknown location. The German authorities had not wanted to recognize the likelihood of this.

Eritrea: The fact that the flight itself might cost the refugees lives, is telling

Statement to press conference "Eritrean deserters report about imprisonment and torture"

(09.09.2010) As we all know, people from poor countries like Eritrea may leave their homeland for obvious and no obvious reasons. Some of the obvious reasons that have been driving people to migrate within their political borders, across their political borders and across continents can be:

1. Instability caused by war and warfare induced forced recruitment and military brutality
2. Dictatorial regimes and absence of security, justice and rights
3. Drought, famine and other natural catastrophe caused by environmental and climate change
4. Poverty, economic disparity, and search of a better life and change

The list of persecution, abuse and human rights violations, of deprivations and hardships in Eritrea is long. And worst is, that there seems no hope or means to change the situation. The fact that the flight itself might cost the refugees lives, is telling. If you risk death to escape from a situation – how bad must it be?

Is there a safe place for the Eritrean refugees?

(05.09.2010) It has been now six years since I started campaigning against the inhuman treatment on my fellow Eritreans by the government of Eritrea. It is true thousands of Eritreans left their country opposing the unlimited National Service which was to be only one year and six month according the 1995 National Service proclamation. In this short text I will not concentrate on the mistreatment caused by the Eritrean regime as it has been recognized by many governments, human right groups and activists. Instead on what is happening to those who left the dictator and try to get a safe place in other countries.

Stop deportation

Speech at a demonstration in Ingelheim (Germany)

(06.06.2009) Although there is a great deal of poverty in all third world countries specially in Africa, from my own perspective, I would say that most Africans are fleeing their home land for reasons of the aggravated human right violation, unending and forceful military service, sexual abuses, civil wars and opposing the dictators in their countries. Therefore, I would like to call all Germany authorities who are working on this area to stop deportation as it is inhumane and violates the basic value of the German people.