Press Release
|
THE ERITREAN
AMERICAN COMMUNITY OF MINNESOTA
|
DEMANDS AN
APPOLOGY FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
|
|
|
|
We, the Eritrean-American
community of Minnesota are disappointed to
learn that on February 7th 2002, the European Parliament (EP)
convened at a meeting to pass judgment against the Eritrean Government. We believe the resolution passed by this
august body was undeservedly harsh, and fundamentally illegal. As an independent country, Eritrea has a
mandate to govern itself. How Eritrea conducts, its governance is first and
foremost the responsibility of Eritreans. The European Parliament cannot
dictate policies of other sovereign countries, in this case Eritrea. Only the
Eritrean people know what is good for Eritrea. Therefore, your policy of interference in our internal politics
can only hurt the strong and ever growing relations between the European
Union and Eritrea and indeed our people. |
|
|
|
The
European Parliament makes bold assertions against Eritrea under the cover of
democracy and fairness. We question your true motivation in making such
accusations against a young country that has made such a strong development
towards the enhancement of its people in just a short 11 years of
self-governance. As a people, we value and treasure our democracy and freedom
and are willing to fight for it at all cost, as we have been known to do
before. What then becomes of your
decision and accusation if we as a people of Eritrea come to you and say our
Government has not infringed upon our freedom and democracy? Will you then continue to make these false
assertions? |
|
|
|
We cannot understand your accusation of false imprisonment and other
human rights violation hurled towards our country. We sincerely believe some
sinister groups deceived you into coming into such an unjust conclusion,
therefore steering your organization to pass a grossly misguided resolution
against Eritrea. |
|
|
|
During the 3 years of war
between Eritrea and Ethiopia, concerned people from all
over the world called out to you to condemn the inhumane violation brought
upon the innocent people of Eritrea by the Ethiopian government. The EP did not make any efforts to
stop the deportation of over 70, 000
innocent Ethiopians of an Eritrean origin.
When the Ethiopian government killed over 40 students for speaking up
their minds, the European Parliament did condemn the victims assailants.
Furthermore, when the Ethiopian government imprisoned its innocent
journalists, EP did not dare to condemn Ethiopia. |
|
|
|
Therefore, for the
aforementioned reasons, we the Eritrean-American Community of Minnesota
condemn the double standard of EP of interference on our young but strong
nation. Furthermore, we ask EP to officially rescind its resolution against
Eritrea and offer its apologies to the Eritrean government and people. |
|
|
|
In conclusion, what Eritrea wants from Europe is an equal and
un-imposed partnership in the fields of the transfer of technology,
advancement of human capital, the
reconstruction of our infrastructure, a cooperation to fight disease, hunger,
and other pressing issues that are affecting the state of Eritrea. |
|
|
The Eritrean-American Adhoc Committee of Minnesota
|
|
1935 University Ave West, |
|
Saint Paul, MN 55104 |
March 10, 2002 |