Ethiopian refugees flee political oppression into Eritrea
Thousands of Ethiopian refugees flee political oppression into Eritrea
Nov. 24, 2011 (ASMARA) – Since mid-June over 650 Ethiopian refugees and soldiers have been crossing into Eritrea and seeking political asylum every month, according to local officials.
The influx in Ethiopian refugees entering Eritrea is mostly attributed to the intensifying political oppression in Ethiopia, where the regime has been severely cracking down on local dissidents over growing concerns of a Tunisian-styled democracy uprising in Ethiopia.
Similarly, the number of Ethiopians fleeing for neighboring countries have significantly been on the rise. In Yemen alone, officials report around 84,000 Ethiopian migrants[1] entered their nation in 2011, while in the same time period, Kenya reported around 43,000[2] and Djibouti officials indicating over 30,000 Ethiopian refugees entering their respective nations[3].
Moreover, distant nations such as South Africa and Israel continue to be a popular destination for young Ethiopians. Reports show around 10,000 Ethiopian refugees annually venture off to South Africa[4], while an estimated 15,000 Ethiopians flee for Israel.
Recent Ethiopian refugees interviewed in Eritrea say little international attention is given to their plight out of concerns by some western nations of losing what little influence they have over Ethiopia's increasingly belligerent despot.
"Had we been Eritrean, we would of had international attention and major news agency covering the deteriorating human rights abuses that's causing us to flee Ethiopia. But because our dictator is a puppet of the United States, we are ignored or dismissed as economic migrants - this is not fair.", said Samuel Tesfaye, a 28-year-old former teacher from Mekele.
Ethiopia is among the world's leading exporter of refugees, with some estimates putting the mass exodus at around 250,000 annually. The following chart below shows the top 6 destination for Ethiopian refugees in 2011.
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Nov. 24, 2011 (ASMARA) – Since mid-June over 650 Ethiopian refugees and soldiers have been crossing into Eritrea and seeking political asylum every month, according to local officials.
The influx in Ethiopian refugees entering Eritrea is mostly attributed to the intensifying political oppression in Ethiopia, where the regime has been severely cracking down on local dissidents over growing concerns of a Tunisian-styled democracy uprising in Ethiopia.
Similarly, the number of Ethiopians fleeing for neighboring countries have significantly been on the rise. In Yemen alone, officials report around 84,000 Ethiopian migrants[1] entered their nation in 2011, while in the same time period, Kenya reported around 43,000[2] and Djibouti officials indicating over 30,000 Ethiopian refugees entering their respective nations[3].
Moreover, distant nations such as South Africa and Israel continue to be a popular destination for young Ethiopians. Reports show around 10,000 Ethiopian refugees annually venture off to South Africa[4], while an estimated 15,000 Ethiopians flee for Israel.
Recent Ethiopian refugees interviewed in Eritrea say little international attention is given to their plight out of concerns by some western nations of losing what little influence they have over Ethiopia's increasingly belligerent despot.
"Had we been Eritrean, we would of had international attention and major news agency covering the deteriorating human rights abuses that's causing us to flee Ethiopia. But because our dictator is a puppet of the United States, we are ignored or dismissed as economic migrants - this is not fair.", said Samuel Tesfaye, a 28-year-old former teacher from Mekele.
Ethiopia is among the world's leading exporter of refugees, with some estimates putting the mass exodus at around 250,000 annually. The following chart below shows the top 6 destination for Ethiopian refugees in 2011.
| # | 2011 Ethiopian Refugees | Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 84,000 Ethiopian Refugees | Yemen |
| 2 | 43,000 Ethiopian Refugees | Kenya |
| 3 | 30,000 Ethiopian Refugees | Djibouti |
| 4 | 15,000 Ethiopian Refugees | Israel |
| 5 | 10,000 Ethiopian Refugees | South Africa |
| 6 | 8,000 Ethiopian Refugees | Eritrea |
| - |
 |
| 25 Ethiopian (Tigray) refugees entering Eritrea |
 |
| 15 Ethiopian refugees crossing into Eritrea in September |
 |
| 13 Ethiopian refuges inside Eritrea in October |
 |
| 9 Ethiopian refugees inside Eritrea in late July |
Ethiopian refugees flee political oppression into Eritrea
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