The EMDHR officially launched a Civic Awareness Project on 14 august 2005 under the motto of ‘Affairs of the People by the People’ in a discussion session held among Eritreans residing in Pretoria. The project involves ...

The EMDHR officially launched a Civic Awareness Project on 14 august 2005 under the motto of ‘Affairs of the People by the People’ in a discussion session held among Eritreans residing in Pretoria.

The project involves the development of a manual through discussions that involve the Eritrean public. The manual is expected to promote the idea of sustainable democracy and rule of law and their paramount importance for a peaceful and prosperous Eritrea.

The manual is also anticipated to serve as a platform for initiating discussions that help identify the mechanisms and techniques that are available at the disposal of the people for achieving the desired goal. The EMDHR is launching this project pursuant to its principal objectives mandated by Clauses 2.3.4 and 2.3.5 of its Constitution. The discussions that would be carried out in the development of the Manual are hoped to encourage participatory democracy, a vital element missing in Eritrean state of affairs. In this way, it is hoped that the discussions would promote civility, respect and tolerance of divergent views.

In the discussion session undertaken in Pretoria, following to the well-coming note delivered by Mr. Samual Bizen (EMDHR: Chairperson), Mr. Haileab Kidane (EMDHR: Public Relations Officer and Project Discussion Moderator) explained to the conveners about the overall strategy and activities of the movement. Mr. Haileab briefly tried to explain about the major problems pertaining in Eritrea. He acknowledged and praised the efforts of many concerned individuals and organizations in the search for a comprehensive solution for the problems prevailing in Eritrea. He further noted the problems that are arising in the search for the major problem. Among those, he highlighted the following:

• Naturalization of the problems in Eritrea by many Eritreans instead of trying to solve it
• Naturalization of the problems in Eritrea by many Eritreans instead of trying to solve it
• Confusions and suspicions, which usually lead to divisions
• Financial constraints
• Stressing more on side issues which hinder the political and social maturity of core issues that need to be dealt with.
• Differences in approach usually lead to hatred and serious misunderstandings among individuals and organizations.
• Lack of participation by the public, which is believed to be the end result of the above problems

Mr. Haileab further explained that the EMDHR has been meticulously studying all the problems that lead to the development of the idea of launching this project, which will contribute in solving the problems that Eritreans are facing. He also acknowledged that the project is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) upon the request made by the Management Committee of the EMDHR.

Mr. Haileab further noted that the anticipated outcomes of the project will be as follows:

• People will get the chance to discuss and share their viewpoints among each other thereby enhancing the participation and awareness of the public.

• Different approaches and thinking will be synchronized in the best interest of the people

• A well-developed idea and strategy will be devised which promote a sustainable democracy and rule of law in Eritrea.

At the end, Mr. Haileab pledged to the conveners to actively participate in the discussions and make the project a success.

Following to this Mr. Kuluberhan Abraham (EMDHR: General Council member and Project Discussion Moderator), initiated and chaired a brief discussion that has been carried out among the conveners. Discussions were undertaken around the following three major points: (the minutes of discussion are presented on …).

• What exactly is the problem in Eritrea?

• What is needed in Eritrea?

• What are the options that the people have to achieve the desired needs?

Finally, the conveners remembered those who are facing torture and ill treatment in the dungeons of the motherland, the extra-judicially executed and those who fall down in liberating and defending the nation.

A light dinner organized by the EMDHR served at the end of the programme.

The discussion session held in Pretoria is only the beginning of the many series sessions that will be carried out in various cities of South Africa. The discussion will also be undertaken via electronic media in order to accommodate the viewpoints of the Eritrean public residing elsewhere. For more information on this regard, Yoel Alem (EMDHR: Legal Affairs Officer and Project Manager) can be contacted via an email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or telephonically at +27 12 344 5403.

In this occasion, the EMDHR calls upon all its members, concerned individuals and organizations to participate in the discussions and share their viewpoints and ultimately make the development of the Manual a success history.

Haileab Kidane

EMDHR: Public Relations Officer

15 August 2005