5,000 Martyrs’ Day Robo Calls Sent to Telephone Users in Eritrea

5,000 Martyrs’ Day Robo Calls Sent to Telephone Users in Eritrea

June 19, 2012-  Coordinators of the Arbi Harnet (Freedom Friday) Campaign, confirmed that, they transmitted 5,000 robo calls  to random mobile and landline phones in Eritrea.

The messages of solidarity and support were intended to reach Eritrea on the eve of Eritrea’s Remembrance Day, when nationals remember their fallen heroes, who sacrificed their lives during the thirty years of struggle against colonial power and then post independence during a two year border conflict that was daubed ‘the bloodiest conflict of last century’. The organizers of this campaign contend that Eritreans should also remember those heroes that continue to die in prison cells and in exile protesting the lack of freedom and justice in the country.

According to the organizers of these messages of solidarity, despite all this sacrifice Eritreans are still suffering under one of the most brutal regimes in the world today. Thousands of Eritreans languish in prison, as prisoners of conscience and many die attempting to flee the country.

Coordinated via facebook from a group known as Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change (EYSC), the messages related to the Eritrean public told of the disappointing turn of events in Eritrea and that young people driven into exile have not forgotten their promise to the fallen heroes and pledge their continued commitment to fight for democratic changes in the country.

Similar messages were also sent through satellite radios and opposition websites campaigning under the slogan: ‘we will not let PFDJ make a mockery of the legacy of our martyrs!’

The campaign points out that PFDJ, the only legal party in Eritrea, is driving many young people to flee their country causing Eritreans who have suffered too many losses to continue to loose precious lives as a result of its failed policies and brutality.

Creating an information blackout, the regime in Eritrea also ensures that Eritreans do not access any information other than that available in the state controlled media, therefore mass information such as the one transmitted this afternoon and via satellite radios is the only link between the Eritrean public and forces fighting for democracy and justice in the Eritrean diaspora.  To date the Arbi Harnet (Freedom Friday) Campaign has made over 22,000 such calls, since its inception in February, encouraging Eritreans to challenge the brutality of  dictatorial rule.

Calling upon all Eritreans to actively support the campaign a statement of the Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change stated: “ we are succeeding in sending our messages of solidarity and support right into the heart of our people inside the country penetrating PFDJ’s iron curtain, this is our double edged sword that brings hope to our people and undermines the Government’s determination to have a 100% control of our people and the information they receive. We really believe that it is only a question of time before people inside the county rise against this regime. We have been getting positive feedback from people inside the country who contact us at great risk to themselves and their families. Just like we related in our robocall message we are not going to relent, but we will enhance our campaign aimed at effecting democratic changes in Eritrea and continue to build momentum until  we see justice in Eritrea’’



Background

Eritreans inside the country live under one of the most brutal regimes in the world today. The regime prohibits its nationals from exercising their basic human and democratic rights, and is intolerant to any form of freedom of expression.

PFDJ is Eritrea’s ruling party and the only legal party in the country

The regime in Eritrea has been criticized by numerous human rights organizations owing to its appalling records of human rights abuse. Eritrea is one of the worst abusers of freedom of press in the world today and the religious freedom violations in the country have also been a cause for grave concern to the international community

Eritrea’s indefinite National Service has been highlighted as illegal and unjust
Many Eritrean young people flee the country to escape the National service and all the other human rights abuses. Eritrea is one of the top refugee producing nations in the world today.

Eritrea youth fleeing the country are faced by numerous obstacles including the government’s ‘shoot to kill ‘ policy for those caught. They also fall pray of unscrupulous people smugglers and traffickers, including those who are involved in illegal organ harvesting

Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change (EYSC) is a Diaspora based global youth movement, fighting for democracy and justice in the country.


CONTACT:
Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change (EYSC)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/eritreanyouth
Website: www.eysc.net

{jcomments off}