Eritrean nationals residing in South Africa conducted colorful and peaceful demonstration in front of the Embassy of Eritrea in the Republic of South Africa on the 28th of September 2006 demanding an end to all sorts of violence in Eritrea, immediate release of all political and religious prisoners as well as prisoners of conscience, and for constitutional supremacy and rule of law.

  Read petition       Download original copy Petition

The event, in which more than 100 Eritreans from various cities of South Africa participated, was organized by a civic movement known as Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (EMDHR) and it was carried out under the motto “injustice to one is injustice to all”.

The demonstrators were gathered on a scheduled time, 10:00 AM, at a previously designated place of assembly known as Queens Wood Square, a place located around 30 minutes of walk from the Embassy of Eritrea.

Marching started at 10:30 AM in a very organized and disciplined manner. All participants of the demonstration were wearing a white t-shirt labeled with the photographs of some of the imprisoned journalists, political and religious prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Eritrea.

Carrying placards high, the participants continued to chant slogans in Tigrigna, Arabic and English during marching. The slogans included:

• Injustice to one is injustice to all,
• Standing for justice is an emblem of Eritreanism,
• Let’s be a voice to a voiceless,
• Stop state violence,
• Stop intimidation,
• Stop religious persecution,
• Free journalists, free political prisoners, free religious prisoners,
• We need our constitution,
• Let the rule of law prevail,

Demonstrators arrived in front of the Embassy of Eritrea at exactly 11: 00 AM. Though the Ambassador of Eritrea, Ato Tesfamichael Gerahtu had previously been informed of the event by the organizers, sadly he was not able to face the demonstrators. Notwithstanding the Ambassador’s inability to receive the petition letter organized by the demonstrators, the letter was read to the participants by Ato Kuluberhan Abraham, a speaker of EMDHR General Council. Various activities including poems, making slogans, singing and reading messages of support carried out in front of the embassy.

Thereafter, the EMDHR Chairperson, Mr. Samuel Bizen, addressed the participants. He stated, among others, that “…Today you have taken a noble action which will always be remembered in the years to come. You decided and stood up for justice and this is what makes one a human being…  You have seen how the Ambassador has responded to our presence. Yes, you are witnessing in your open eyes his lack of courage and confidence to face you all… You have to congratulate yourselves for making this event a reality and historic success…” The participants applauded to the speech delivered by the Chairperson and they continued singing and chanting slogans. The demonstration concluded with a success in accordance to previously scheduled time. 

It is to be recalled that the success of this peaceful demonstration had become a reality through the participation of members and non-members of the EMDHR at all levels.

Radio Meselna-Delina
29 September 2006

full report to follow soon...