Open Letter to US Department of State

On Nov 12 an email was sent to the Eritrean desk at the US Department of State soliciting answers for questions that were sent to Asmarino from contacts in Eritrea. Our contact in the State Department to this day has not provided us with any answers. Here are some of the questions we are awaiting responses from the US Department of state.

Sanctions:

Even though the USA is the first country to entertain imposing sanctions on Eritrea (in 2007), nations like Canada, Germany and Sweden have done much better in enforcing the UN sanctions, in general, and against the illegal 2% tax the Eritrean regime imposes on its diaspora population, in particular. In addition, when it comes to sanctioning certain individuals, the US seems to be the most lenient. As a result, Eritreans are confused with these conflicting messages between rhetorics and action that they get from the USA. Why is the USA not leading the way when it comes to enforcing the UN sanctions which it worked hard to bring to fruition?

Refugees:

You know that the refugee problem of Eritreans is the most dire in Africa, and among the direst in the world. Is there a consistent policy regarding Eritrean refugees, in general, and those in the refugee camps of Ethiopia and Sudan, in particular. One of the most neglected Eritrean refugees are to be found in Israel (more than 30,000). Even though they have gone through so much horror to reach there, the Israeli government has refused to acknowledge them as refuggees (it calls them “infiltrators”). What could the US do to pressure Israel on this matter?  Another large recipient of US aid, Egypt, has also been the scene of the most horrific experiences Eritrean had ever undergone in a foreign land. In the Sinai Peninsula, thousands have been killed and thousands more tortured and extorted. What can the US do to pressure the Egyptian government on this matter?

Eritrea:

With the youth fleeing the nation in mass exodus, Eritrea is at the brink of becoming a failed nation. The longer this regime stays in power, the more dramatic will be the collapse of the nation. If Eritrea becomes a failed state, the entire area will be affected – Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. But the fallout of this won’t be confined to the region only. As in the case of Somalia, it will be a haven for religious extremists. What is the US doing to prevent such a calamity? Is the US willing to work with neighboring countries and opposition groups regarding this matter (as it has done in other occasions; for instance, Iraq)?

US Citizens in Detention in Eritrea

What actions the American embassy in Asmara doing to know the whereabout and their condition

example. Ali Abud's daughter who is a US citizen by birth and a minor