EMDHR Statement

Regarding the Treatment of Eritrean Asylum Seekers in Israel

The Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (EMDHR) is distressed by the way the Israeli government is treating Eritrean asylum seekers in Israel. We are very well aware that the Israeli government has full knowledge of the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Eritrean one-man regime against its own citizens causing mass exodus of our people. We also believe that the Israeli people know what it means to experience indignity, exile and get refuge and protection in host countries.

In light of the Eritrean political and humanitarian crises forcing many Eritreans to flee their country, we are outraged by the Israeli government’s policy and treatment of these innocent refugees and asylum seekers. After surviving arduous journeys and human trafficking, it is unimaginable to expect such treatment at the hands of a democratic government.  The EMDHR makes the following calls on the Israeli government and international community:

1. The Israeli government must recognize all Eritrean asylum seekers as refugees and not as “infiltrators” and grant them the required status so that they can rebuild their lives;

2. The Israeli government must release all innocent asylum seekers detained in prisons without due process of law;

3.  The Israeli government must provide all Eritreans adequate protection from the terrorizing tactics, threats, and intimidation of the Eritrean embassy and its agents;

4. The UNHCR and the international community must intervene to help these genuine Eritrean refugees in limbo;

5. The Israeli people and civic societies should stand in solidarity with the refugees and asylum seekers and pressure their government to adhere to international law guaranteeing the protection of asylum seekers and refugees;

6. The international community, including the government of Israel should put adequate and effective pressure on the Eritrean government to stop the human rights abuses and crimes against the Eritrean people, and accept constitutional democracy to be established which shall guarantee for people to live in their own country with peace and freedom.

Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (EMDHR)

07 January 2014

South Africa

info@emdhr.net

CC:

– Israel Embassy in South Africa

-Government of Israel, Foreign Affairs, and the Knesset

– SA Department of International Relations and Cooperation

– The UN and relevant organizations in Israel

– The Media and Eritreans in Israel