Shabait.com (Asmara)
3 October 2008
Asmara — The Eritrean Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Saleh Omar, conducted a seminar on September 28 to Eritrean nationals residing in Uganda regarding the objective situation in the Homeland.
In the seminar conducted in Kampala, the Ambassador called on Eritrean citizens to rebuff enemy acts of conspiracy and enhance their contribution in the national development drive through reinforcing national unity and keeping intact the value of steadfastness.
He noted that major programs are being implemented in different parts of the country in the domains of infrastructure, education, agriculture, health and others in line with efforts to ensure social justice. Mr. Saleh further expressed conviction that Eritrea would attain economic liberation in due course, as the implementation of major development programs are being stepped up.
The Ambassador further called on Eritrean citizens in Uganda to enhance their participation in the nation-building process. The participants of the seminar reiterated readiness to live up to the nation's expectation.
Also on the occasion, the Eritrean Community in Uganda set up a branch of the National Union of Eritrean Youths and Students (NUEYS) in that country.
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None of these Eritrean nationals stranded in Uganda left home gladly or legally. These are members of a desperate, downtrodden group of refugees whom the visiting Eritrean ambassador would have approved to have them shot if caught while trying or even intending to flee Eritrea.
The reputed AllAfrica.com unfortunately carries such cynical Eritrean government reports whose objective is not to inform but to mislead. That is why it has to be highlighted that the flowing of refugees out of Eritrea is a demonstration against tyranny and poverty in that Red Sea state.
Back home, the parents of Eritrean refugees pay heavy price because their children have escaped. Parents are not only arrested and jailed but are also fined Nakfa 50,000 per escapee child. (Please refer to Amnesty Int’l annual reports) There are also reports that even those grieving parents whose children were killed while crossing the border are still forced to pay the penalties.
So why is the government pursuing these refugees who are seeking freedom and peace in foreign lands? The aim is to intimidate and threaten that the refugees and their families back home would pay heavy price if they were to engage in anti-government activities or of they fail to send money to the government in the form of taxes.