BBC: Eritrean army conscripts ‘killed in Asmara escape bid’
Security forces in Eritrea's capital Asmara have killed several young conscripts who tried to escape the convoy they were travelling in, according to opposition media outlets. There were also civilian casualties after some of the recruits'
Security forces in Eritrea’s capital Asmara have killed several young conscripts who tried to escape the convoy they were travelling in, according to opposition media outlets.
There were also civilian casualties after some of the recruits’ friends and family used a bus to block the road to help them escape, according to the unconfirmed reports.
Conscription in Eritrea is compulsory.
The Eritrean authorities have not commented on the alleged incident.
Rights groups consider Eritrea to be one of the world’s most repressive states.
In 2015, it ranked bottom of the World Press Freedom Index, published by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Conscription in Eritrea can last for decades and is one of the main reasons tens of thousands flee the country every year.
Massawa April 7, 2016
ስራሕ ፋሽሽታዊ ስርዓት ኢሳያስ፤ ገድሊ እንዳበሉ ንገደል ወቲፎሙና።
ነዚኦም “ሸፋቱ” ምባሎም እኳ ክንእሶም።
betri haki April 8, 2016
When I look at the current situation of Eritrea, its people are a “defeated people”, although they may brag about being victorious. The people are defeated because they cannot even breathe fresh air in the so called “independent Eritrea”. They are living in a bird cage to survive at the whims of the pet owner. Eritreans are the most humiliated people in the planet earth today. Their youth are despairing in deserts and precarious refugee boats in tumultous ocean waves, their girls being raped, and the general population living in sub standard conditions without potable water, electricity and other essential utilities. There is no cause for celebrations in this god forsaken country. It is really ironic to read these “wretched of the earth people” belittle Tigrayans and other Ethiopian ethnic groups, when thousands of Eritreans are crossing over the border to Ethiopia to look for refuge. Eritreans are living in refugee camps in Tigray under deplorable conditions. Whether we like it or not Eritrea has become a nightmare for its people. Am I saying this because I am Tigrayan? If your answer is “yes”, then I will take it that it takes being a Tigrayan to speak the truth for an Eritrean. Wake up Eritreans,, Try to get yourself out of the pitable situation you find your selves in now by struggling like other heroic people of the world. As things stand at the moment you Eritreans belong to the category of people who do not have the courage to stand up for their rights. Leave the Tigrayans and Ethiopians alone. Take a hard and fast look at the hollow cheeks and emasculated body frame of your people inside Eritrea and do something.
Michael Tesfamariam April 8, 2016
Here I don’t wish to comment on this executions because it is not something new for me or other millions of Eritreans at home and abroad. Perhaps, if there was anything which makes this incidence unique from those countless summary executions and massacre that have been taken place through the country is that, this was carried out in the heart of the capital so the public including foreigners could easily watch the horror.
What make me annoyed is this shameful and cynical BBC report about this executions. This is the British TV channel which stood with the regime in Eritrea while crimes were being perpetrated against the people in order to protect the outrageous asylum policy of its government against Eritreans. The BBC has already placed one symbolic reporter in Eritrea, yet it is reporting this execution by referring “opposition media outlet” probably from Assenna. Again, Assenna is reporting back what BBC was referring from its website. For some folks BBC may be seen as a normal news gathering organization, unfortunately that is not the case when it comes about Eritrea. If you don’t believe me, you can have a look at every BBC report on Eritrea. In fact, awate.com published brilliant and powerful article exposing BBC’s historical association and collaboration with the regime in Eritrea. When the UN Human rights commission report came out with unbelievable shocking crimes that have been committed by the PFDJ regime, almost all main stream media in the west directly reported and discussed about it except BBC. The BBC put the story like this “The government of Eritrea denied the UN Human right Group report,” This tactically to defend its home Office position on Eritrean asylum seekers. So please wake up, BBC should not be taken as serious mainstream media, it is simply the mouthpiece and lapdog of its government and to some extent to the regime in Eritrea.
Nabal April 8, 2016
Good observation brother. But not only BBC but also is the others.
Flipos April 8, 2016
You said what I thought and it’s the truth.
Mengis April 8, 2016
This not un believable story, even when it is not confirmed. the un believable thing is the people of Eritrea enduring this tyranny for 25 years and doing nothing about it. shame on the so called opposition groups, the biggest power of this government is not his army and security forces, not having formidable opposition the real power.
Liban April 8, 2016
Thousands and thousands have been executed this way in the fields. This happened in the middle of Asmara, so they cant hide it anymore.
Gemel serikas gumbh gumbh eyu negeru, Gudom dege ms weste.
Their damage control strategy is to attempt downplaying it by saying only two died, shots were to fired to the sky…habeskedes.
Whats the root cause? What makes them jump from speeding cars? No person whatsoever wants to take such great risk unless there’s a major issue.
Moki April 8, 2016
How long will it take for demo.archive.assenna.com to stop a few Tigreyan intruders who keep insulting the people in its darkest moment, here. They are not different from Higdef leaders who are bleeding the country.
Let’s face the truth, the Kishas and Yemane, and “Teclay and Cow Face” come from the same social group.
Is it so difficult to stop them ?, please do something …
oromai eritrea April 8, 2016
Moki ,
How do you know they are from Tigray ,they could be bedouin (arabs) that speak english and/or tigrinya..Is it not better to unstuck what is stuck by bedouin arabs ,than some internet intruder tigrawots ?
I forgot the Arabs ,really ,really ,really love us..Moki ,Accept your abyssinian identity, do not become dynasour..ppl are changing.
AHMED SALEH !!! April 9, 2016
Are you trying to defend yourself or to correct Moki comment ?
Your reaction sounds personal and smells fishy . And if people
as you claim are changing , let Amhara and Oromo people testify
to tell the truth . Action speaks more than words .
daniel April 19, 2016
You shod wary obout what is going on oromla stiwation you are Agame resah Eritrea only for Eritreas not for agame