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The aspiration and optimism of the young generation to build a gracious new African state has been harshly damaged by the Government of Eritrea which remains autocratic, oppressive, hostile and isolated for more than twenty years. The culture of patriotism, cooperation and resilience, to which Eritreans have developed strong attachment for centuries, get disrupted to keep and maintain the national values and norms. Citizens have lost the virtue of humanity being at home; and they are forced to wonder around the world for searching peace, justice, humanity and better life that their government has failed to full fill. Nonetheless, the worst experience is that using the opportunities and resources of other nations to support and finance the kingdom of injustice in Eritrea.

In Eritrea the physiological needs of humans disappear– not adequate and balanced food, crises of shelter and other fundamental needs and aggressively shacks the survival of many ordinary people who have no access to remittance which is the means of revenue for many Eritrean families.

Biological structure and appearance does not only make humans as human beings, but largely by biological gifts and characters that they perform in their daily life. The level of IQ to be creative and innovative and the ways that humans communicate, and build relationships and manipulate their environment to their advantage are amongst the distinctive qualities that other animals cannot possess.

Nonetheless, the system in Eritrea goes against human nature crushing the natural rights– no rights to think and create independently, no right to speak out freely to communicate confidently, no right to move out of the fence and no right to do assemblage as social animal which is conceived as “inalienable fundamental right to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she/he is a human being.” Definitely, the right to live either on ground or underground is the choice of the government; not the choice of the citizens. Even if getting chance to live in Eritrea, the government determines what to be and what not to be. There is no a free choice to shape their future destiny.

The existing system of PFDJ, the sole party, becomes a threat to the existence biological human nature. But, some Eritrean intellectuals, who reside in free world, appreciate the system as it brings disciplined and loyal citizens. On my side, the phenomenon is producing disciplined citizens by undisciplined actions- intimidating, torturing, jailing and extra-judicial killings. The consequence of this system is very disastrous that endanger the identity and continuity of Eritrean generation throwing the young generation in refugee camps, Sinai deserts and Mediterranean Sea. Other left with tragic identity crises, and remained vulnerable to external forces.

The government systematically uses a bad acidic formula to dissolve justice and education by which citizens can get righteousness and enlightenment. It dries up the constitutional rights of the people to exercise unlimited power over the people without accountability, transparency and moral obligations. For funs of PFDJ, this is a smart tool to defend the national interest and ensure the national security while they are practically watching the nation is sinking in big ocean. Being silent or remained blind awards it as “nationalistic”, but for critics granted “sub-nationalistic” or possibly “traitor”

PFDJ is a successful party to hang the national media. The principle, values and ethics of journalism do not exist in Eritrea as the personnel in state controlled media structured, oriented and instructed to serve as “Media-Cadre” rather than as independent journalists abided by their profession; and equally most of the diaspora based media outlets have lacked access, competency and motive to bring more balanced and verified information to audience.

In broad sense “Eritrean journalists” become deaf to public voice and mute to public interest fear of violence, harassment and intimidation coming from the side of security apparatus and political machinery of the state. They have failed to bring vital information serving as watchdog over the institutions of the government. They have no ground at all to demonstrate the destructive formula that swept away the right of citizens for more than two decades. Rather, the “Eritrean journalists” have experienced distressed financial pressures, torture and arbitrary arrests.

The worst experience is that a large number of Eritreans in diaspora has been permanently indoctrinated by state controlled media, and remained dogmatic about the disastrous national futurity without feeling the pain of their citizens who is ended up their life in jails without any form of trial and bail. Recently, a substantial number of journalists have been released after four years of arbitrary arrest. No government bodies at large and Ministry of Justice in particular attempted to explain the cause of imprisonment and the reasons for releasing them free. These young fellow citizens have been psychologically and physically damaged though relatively they are in better situation than many politicians and journalists who are still suffering in prison for more than a decade.

The serious questions and critics over the doctrine of human rights continue to provoke   considerable doubts, debates and misunderstanding about the content, nature and justifications of human rights in many developing countries because of diversified and particularities of social institutions, political ideologies, economic and technological levels and strategic national priorities and realities. With respect to Eritrea, the question is not about the details of complex human rights values which can be strengthened through well established democratic institutions, but the question is to treat and respect Eritreans as human beings with all unalienable virtues of humanity. The physical, psychological and behavioral needs of human beings are natural and indisputable that the government must do it.

It is absurd that the native Eritreans to be disrespected, harassed, oppressed and humiliated in their motherland. Relatively, Eritreans are respected and kept as human being with justice and rules of law in alien country while they are living as second citizens. And on the other hand it is awful to see fellow citizens raped, tortured and slaughtered for organ harvest.

Therefore, you care about others because they are human beings like you. You need to say “Yes for justice”, “No for injustice and crime” with common voice regardless our political conceptualization and views. How many of us have memory about the pain of the fellows we have left them behind? How many of us use the social media to voice justice for those fellows in red tears or spending our time posing snaps about European snow, luxurious trips, dancing, drinking etc.? How many of us make a short glimpse to victims of injustice or utterly occupied our mind with hoarding money or loading degrees with no motive, sincerity and courage to be part of the national solution? Let us take a disciplined and civilized action to bring a lasting peace and justice for all fellow citizens trapped by injustice. If not, we can join the line of righteousness with strong voice to impact the elements of government which fail to take a firm stance to prevent perpetrators of crimes and acts of violence against innocents. Because, if we are really human beings, act as humans to live with true compassion and fairness.

Adhanom Tewelde

adhanomtewelde@gmail.com

March 27, 2013