The Hypocrisy of the West towards Eritrea!
Mural in Asmara of a camel (representing Eritrea) breaking down a wall depicting 60 years of injustice towards Eritrea - Credit: DJ Adulis 'Chedo' Mokanan
The Hypocrisy of the West towards Eritrea!
By Berhane Alazar
The West’s hypocrisy towards the Third World countries in general and Eritrea in particular continues unabated and is simply mindboggling how it chooses only one side of the coin! Watching the “Monkey see, monkey do” type drama unfolding, yesterday in Geneva, of the so called “Commission of Inquiry” of the UN Human Rights Council on Eritrea - by grownup men and women would have been nothing short of comical if the matter wasn’t serious, albeit unfounded, allegations leveled against Eritrea. Except for certain principled speakers that held the honor of their respective offices, speaker after speaker couldn’t wait to take their turn to malign and diminish our Eritrean way of life and Eritrean values, and the now familiar ever demonization of the government of Eritrea. Frankly, it is insulting to our intelligence when these speakers had the condescending attitude to tell us how to run the affairs of our country.
To be sure, there are some challenging issues and situations, most of which is none of our making that need and must be addressed by Eritrea. The Eritrean government is doing what it can to that effect. But for Eritrea to handle those things imposed on her successfully, she needs to get the political space that has been illegally and unfairly denied to her by certain powerful countries whose speakers were seen shedding crocodile tears about the “Fate of Eritreans” in front of the UN cameras for all to see and hear! What makes the accusations against Eritrea somewhat unique is that the delegates don’t seem to be ashamed of regurgitating ad nauseam the old and tired fabrications proved wrong many times before. Many of the delegates don’t seem to want to do any basic research and update their understanding of the country of “Concern”, which they so unashamedly denigrate! I guess the racism and patronizing attitude inherent in their colonialist mind never fades away.
Watching the so called “human rights” advocates of all colors and hues on the Eritrea prologue, there was nothing new on the latest salvo, the Commission chair found it worthwhile to lob against Eritrea. The following Tigrigna saying sums it all: "ዘረባ ኣደይ ለቱ ነየውፍር፡ ነየእቱ"! (Loosely translated, “There is no merit or usefulness to be had by such shenanigans!”). As such, there is really not much one can say except to rehash what has been said over and over again to a commission that had already made up its mind and declared Eritrea “Guilty” before finding out the realities on the ground. However, suffice is to note the following facts:
1. Since I am not privy as to why the Government of Eritrea may have not allowed you to visit the country, I will just state this fact. You have already made up your mind and chose to make Eritrea a guilty party. Why would the Government grant you a permit to that country that you have foolishly decided to denigrate - based on information that are hard to collaborate. By your own admission, you collected the “Damning” information from “Ethiopia and Djibouti”, 2 countries that have illegally laid claim to some of Eritrean territories; and from some disgruntled Eritrean runaways and draft dodgers! Do you really expect those sources to tell you any semblance of truth about a government they are hell bent on maligning?
2. Has it occurred to you that some of the neighboring countries, that you seem to disingenuously appreciate for offering “Shelter to Eritrean refugees”, are doing so, not from their bleeding hearts, but solely as a business venture as long as your governments continue to provide them some hard currency?
3. And how many of the so called “Eritrean” refugees are really Eritreans anyway? It is a proven fact that the minority regime in Ethiopia, for example, presents many Ethiopians as “Eritreans” to expedite the evil design it has against Eritrea and Eritreans.
4. What about the highly sensationalized, exaggerated, blown out of proportion and much talked about, Eritrean National Service? While this is none of your business, the last time I checked, the length of service was, and is, 18 months. But, since the unprovoked and unwarranted war the Ethiopians launched against unsuspecting Eritrea in the late 90s the Eritrean government did what a responsible government does. Because we are outnumbered by the Ethiopians, and they have refused to abide by the rule of law, illegally occupying a large chunk of our territory, we happily gave away the luxury of serving only for 18 months and were forced to serve our country as a matter of necessity. If you were truly “Concerned” about the fate of our young people, as you claim to, then the honorable thing for you to do would have been to force your client state, Ethiopia, to pull out its occupation forces from all Eritrean territories as delimited and demarcated by the EEBC final and binding decision! Is that such a difficult concept to comprehend or unreasonable thing to ascertain? Refusing to do so, on your part, you have no right to ask Eritrea as to how to manage its human resources or anything else. PERIOD!
5. How about lifting the illegal and unjustified UN imposed sanctions that are helping aggravate the economic situations in Eritrea? What justifications does the UN have to the maintenance of such irresponsible acts based on fabricated issues that have long been proved erroneous? Yes, before your pretentious act of caring about our people, you would be hard pressed to change your chameleon color when, in fact, your governments are supporting and encouraging Ethiopia - politically and diplomatically as well as economically - in spite of the destructive role it has been playing in the Horn region?
6.What is this preoccupation with the phrases “Extrajudicial killings” and “Shoot to kill” every time this false “Human rights” issue is raised, when there are no systematic killings “Extrajudicial” or not in Eritrea? To me, somehow it sounds that a report is not complete or not sensational enough without those phrases. Again, "ዘረባ ኣደይ ለቱ ነየውፍር፡ ነየእቱ"!
2. Has it occurred to you that some of the neighboring countries, that you seem to disingenuously appreciate for offering “Shelter to Eritrean refugees”, are doing so, not from their bleeding hearts, but solely as a business venture as long as your governments continue to provide them some hard currency?
3. And how many of the so called “Eritrean” refugees are really Eritreans anyway? It is a proven fact that the minority regime in Ethiopia, for example, presents many Ethiopians as “Eritreans” to expedite the evil design it has against Eritrea and Eritreans.
4. What about the highly sensationalized, exaggerated, blown out of proportion and much talked about, Eritrean National Service? While this is none of your business, the last time I checked, the length of service was, and is, 18 months. But, since the unprovoked and unwarranted war the Ethiopians launched against unsuspecting Eritrea in the late 90s the Eritrean government did what a responsible government does. Because we are outnumbered by the Ethiopians, and they have refused to abide by the rule of law, illegally occupying a large chunk of our territory, we happily gave away the luxury of serving only for 18 months and were forced to serve our country as a matter of necessity. If you were truly “Concerned” about the fate of our young people, as you claim to, then the honorable thing for you to do would have been to force your client state, Ethiopia, to pull out its occupation forces from all Eritrean territories as delimited and demarcated by the EEBC final and binding decision! Is that such a difficult concept to comprehend or unreasonable thing to ascertain? Refusing to do so, on your part, you have no right to ask Eritrea as to how to manage its human resources or anything else. PERIOD!
5. How about lifting the illegal and unjustified UN imposed sanctions that are helping aggravate the economic situations in Eritrea? What justifications does the UN have to the maintenance of such irresponsible acts based on fabricated issues that have long been proved erroneous? Yes, before your pretentious act of caring about our people, you would be hard pressed to change your chameleon color when, in fact, your governments are supporting and encouraging Ethiopia - politically and diplomatically as well as economically - in spite of the destructive role it has been playing in the Horn region?
6.What is this preoccupation with the phrases “Extrajudicial killings” and “Shoot to kill” every time this false “Human rights” issue is raised, when there are no systematic killings “Extrajudicial” or not in Eritrea? To me, somehow it sounds that a report is not complete or not sensational enough without those phrases. Again, "ዘረባ ኣደይ ለቱ ነየውፍር፡ ነየእቱ"!
Finally, there are many things that can be said and reiterated about this politically motivated garbage in garbage out conundrums that we all have been hearing for some time now from certain self-styled “human rights” groups or advocates. To begin with, if we are going to take you seriously, try to be fair, honest and call a “Spade, - a spade”, which will go a long way for Eritrea to trust that you have nothing but the welfare of the Eritrean people at heart. Remove all those obstacles that are hindering Eritrea from practicing from what we, the citizens of Eritrea, expect of her, and, which have been created and reinforced by the UN under the direction of certain countries. And with the open support and encouragement of certain UN member states, it is no wonder the government of Ethiopia have chosen to live by the rule of the jungle. Any UN organization that neglects the crimes the Ethiopian government continues to commit against Eritrea, and indeed one that overlooks those crimes does not have any right to finger point at Eritrea, which is only defending its political independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the best way it knows how. Short of that, it is an exercise in futility to act, behave and be more “Catholic than the Pope” when it comes for Eritrea’s care of its people!
The Hypocrisy of the West towards Eritrea!
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Bottom line is; the west does not like the fact that there are so called "sub humans" somewhere in Africa being self dependant in everything, and are able to defend themselves and destroy the west's slave nation in war despite the size difference and everything else. Yes this is Eritrea, we are not "sub humans" and neither are the rest of Africa maybe with the exception to Ethiopia.
ReplyDeleteAnd you so called "opposition" want to help the west with their evil plans against Eritrea to squash the fact that yes, Africa and Africans can be self reliant. How can you people look at yourself's in the mirror? Of course apart from the Ethiopians pretending to be Eritrean's. What is it that you's want? For Isias to take loans from IMF so we can become another slave nation? For Isias to get foreign soldiers and contractors to defend and build our own country?
Why should our martyr's have suffered and died for our independence and future to build a free country absolutely self reliant for you "oppositions" to just destroy what good that has been started and continued. You want a democracy? Like America? you only either support the Democrats or the Republicans which are both pretty much the same. Like UK you vote for either Labour, Conservatives or Lib dem who are all the same and everyone in these countries know it. Watch parliament debates, where you have these big children debating, shouting over each other and cheering and jeering like children in the playground and at the end nothing is solved. Or Ethiopia; a so called "democracy" state where the polls are rigged like all other African states?
Do not let these people fulfil their dreams. Luring the young to run away with their fabricated stories like what the west wants, just to end up alone and suffer trying to live on the minimum wage. Then when or if our military gets weaker then the west will strike like they did all the others
People need to think; we all need to come together and start something big, big demo's or whatever, we need to let this world know once and for all that we want and shall have our affairs left alone. The same lie being brought up despite them being quashed, the youths running away through lies so our defence and country building stagnates, the same way to how out economy and everything was looking bright and very promising until the border war messed everything up to either take us over or keep us down in the dumps.
Aman, you said "kids running away". Yes, you are correct, some do run away. But some irresponsible Diaspora Eritreans are also enticing them to do just that by promising them money if only they crossed the border illegally. Of course that is on top what these useless NGOs and foreign governments remotely inviting them for such illegal act so they can have a stab at Eritrea.
ReplyDeleteAman:
ReplyDeleteWe hear you! I respect your opinion and all we (deleyti fitihi, agames, ethiopians, cia, eu) whatever you want label us are asking for is for our people's opinions to be heard. Eritreans need to debate about issues that affect their lives. Is that a crime? At the moment if I say Issias is not the right leader for Eritrea. Is that a crime. In my opinion there are many capable Eritreans that can do a better job than Issias.
Here are Tesfanews, you and are have different opinions the way the country should be govern...as you can see the world is not coming to an end. Likewise if our government was to tolerate debates, oppositions, free press etc it wouldn't be the end of the world, in fact Eritrea would be better place for all Eritreans to live.
We must have a process and institutions in place in our country so our people can prosper. There is stuff that I agree and disagree with what our government is doing, nothing wrong with that.
As to demonstrations, in my opinion, our government has neglected so many Eritreans it would be hard to come together and demonstrate. Every community has been divided into two, I sure see it in my community.
Gemel if you are not of those who "oppose" burning our community or cry for free press, intending to distort and mis-inform our society,
ReplyDeletenobody neglected you to join your near Eritrean community and express your ideas and debate as tradition want.
thxxxxx berhane
ReplyDeletewell said
AWET NI'HAFASH
I am totally against anyone burning and distroying of eritrean community centers regardless of which side of the aisle you are. That is wrong.
ReplyDeleteAs to our local community, I see a lot of division it is not what it use to be....just saying what I see in my community.
As i understand you seem concerned citizen, just join your community, leave apart "division" make your self first a sign, i can assure you nobody will neglect you nothing. "Maletey si, b sene ser àt endeher hasabka hibka, men yu mo izi zebleka? Hade neger entay ken tenqek yedeli, kenzareb kelena, chubut neger ke qewen allewo, malet si, kemzi nay he gi zeblo mesh alleka, you need to put all the time evidenced issues". Aykonen ne ke tselemuna zegebruwo zelewu mes izia hassawit àlem koynom, tarik yehtetom.
ReplyDeleteOf course this few raws couldn't give us chance to explain each other, one thing i want to ask is that we need to be aware based not on personal interests..
Cane, you are very much aware this are the very elements that are trying to sow division and mistrust among the EriCom world wide; for they know our strengh lie in our united stand when it comes our Nation and Peoples interest.
ReplyDeletealso do not forget those that are really in it for their own interest. in most cases deki mai telameet that were or had been in Eritrea.
by now we all have identified and know who is hell bent to undue what has come to be a self-respecting, independent, strong and conscious: 'MeleLeyee MenNEtNA.' a can do people achieving miracles against perpetual and hostile provocations of all type.
Thank you btsay/ti forto sawa for the idea.
ReplyDeleteTell me if the UNHRC are to come to Ferguson, Missouri, how many people could they find who say they are not happy how the US is handling the race, discrimination, and justice issues in Ferguson. Pick your number; 1000, 10,000, or 50,000 of them. And yet her is UNHRC claim to have talked to 500 disgruntled Eritreans from all over the to come up with this idiotic statement. I bet, if they are to pay such element $100 dollars; then you got to expect the number to jump from 500 to 1000 in no time.
ReplyDeleteWithout no shame or qualm, Mr. Smith and his bosses at the UNHCR claimed their encounter with 500 disgruntled elements from all over the world has "provided them "with an opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of violations of human rights from those who have recently fled Eritrea.” This is what they are claiming and with such arrogance they have no shame or qualm to tell it to the whole world and that is without setting a foot on Eritrea. Then again, they do not have for that is how they destroying nations and countries.
What an irony, what a slap on the face, and what knocked out to Mr. Smith and his bosses at the UNHCR. What followed was, just three days after they thought they have done their best for the next "sanction" against Eritrea, here comes the truth exploding on top of Mr. Smith and his bosses at the UNHCR. Three days after they thought they have scored a decisive punch against Eritrea; report coming your way read:
"Eritrea’s Achievements on Gender Equality Applauded at a UN Side Event because of the “yes I/we can do it” mindset and harmony of its 50% Christian and 50% Muslim population.". Do not forget, this puch was given to them in the corridors of UN Headquarter in New York.
Here is the "can do" country doing it. Eritrea said "come and see us". They came, they saw, and their testimony went like this for all to hear:
"I have been working in many countries .. And in my experience, Eritrea stands number one in effective community participation … and for that [it] should be rewarded for the validated achievements and not punished.” – Dr. Dan Odallo, UNFP Representative in Eritrea.
Effective community participation is the foundation of social justice (MAHBERAWI FITHI), the corner stone of "equality, fraternity, liberty" which could only be achieved with , social, ethnic, racial harmony. Which could only be achieved by leadership who toil day and night to lift their people up?
The million dollar question, who are these who are going left and right trying to paint a negative picture of Eritrea? We know who they are. But most importantly we know who we are and we are more than ready to paint our own picture for all to see. That is, the true picture of Eritrea-the land of equality and social justice. To these elements, we will always say, "come and see us".
Stay on course Deki Ere and let the toothless dogs bark, for all we care