Ghezae Hagos, 35, was born in Asmara, Eritrea. He left his home country in 1999 when the war was raging with Ethiopia. A journalist and teaching assistant with a law degree from Asmara University, he covered stories in the war zone during the turmoil. Writing for Zemen newspaper, meaning “The Age,” he reported on the biggest war in Africa at that time.
“I left because I got a scholarship to study at McGill University in Montreal. While there, the Eritrean government decided to close all newspapers. My colleagues and my best friend were put in jail. As of today, their whereabouts are still unknown. Eritrea has the greatest number of journalists in jail in the world. When I saw what was happening, I made a refugee claim. I knew there’d be a death warrant for me if I went back.”
Now an inland protection counselor working with refugee claimants at Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council, one of the largest settlement agencies for newcomers in Western Canada, Hagos appreciates being able to offer support to others. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to help the way I was helped. It kind of makes sense to my life. I know what it means to miss home.”
His wife and son moved from Montreal to join him in Winnipeg where they now make their home. “Winnipeg is a calm and compact place. Unlike its mercurial weather, the atmosphere is consistently friendly. No wonder they call it ‘Friendly Manitoba.’” Looking at it especially around its downtown makes you marvel at the generosity of Winnipeg to open its gates to welcome people of different races, different backgrounds, but all with the same dream: to live a peaceful and productive life,” he explains.
A human rights activist back home and still now in Canada, it’s not possible for Hagos to leave the past behind. Quoting author William Faulkner, Hagos recites, “We may be through with the past but the past is not through with us.”
“That persecution, sorrow, suffering, you cannot call it the past. Unless men of commitment and dedication advocate for better, things will be worse,” he says.
Hagos co-founded Hidmona, an Eritrean human rights group of Manitoba, to raise awareness of human rights violations in Eritrea, and to educate the public. “We cannot sit idly when we’ve seen what we’ve seen.”
With Eritrea being the second largest refugee-producing country in the world, Hagos is hopeful that the international community will be more involved in calling for human rights and democracy.
“Eritrea has no constitution, no parliament, no freedom whatsoever. The people have no choices.”
Staying active in the community is important for Hagos and, as he explains, “a constant reminder of what I am, a teller of human stories. It’s cathartic.” Hagos recently gave a presentation on the conditions in Eritrea for the local Amnesty International group. He is also the chair of the Association of Eritrean Journalists (AEJE), with members worldwide.
Ghezae Hagos is thankful that being in Canada offers all immigrants new opportunities to pursue whatever dreams they may have. “No matter what, new immigrants can find what they really want to do. They are in a better position to think about that and to achieve their passion.”
(Source: canadianimmigrant.ca)
Comments
"Welwel" refers to the place where Italians fortified in planning to invade Ethiopia in the 1930's. Dear great writer, check your typo's
Asmarino.com:
To.................(we can't figure it out right now, we are hiring experts to analyze it).
Awate.com:
Probably to grab a space that belonged to other fellow chickens. Frankly, the chicken is just a highlander turned space-grabber. That's all.
Meskerem.net
It's about time we call on the chicken. The owner is a democratic, elected, & justice-loving. It is we the chickens that are undemocratic, woyane agents, regionalists, jihadists & terrorists.
Shabait.com
The chicken is on the move because it saw phony bird seeds on a high definition TV owned by the CIA and special interests in washington DC.
"…most of the young generation are subconsciously conditioned to believe today's propoganda."
A very accurate way to express the generations of Eritreans hoodwinked into buying fake, non-existent, artificial nationalism!
Do not get me wrong, Haile Selassie and the Derg should have always been opposed but after a correct diagnosis of the problem at hand.
A similar error is being committed by the current assorted Eritrean opposition: an improper diagnosis of the Eritrean problem and providing of incorrect solution. For a good example of shoddy analysis, please refer to the recent article posted by the Stand-Up comic called Saleh Younis at awate.com.
"I believe in Eritrea. I believe in Eritreans. I believe we will see better days. ... I believe in Ibrahim Sultan and Welwel and their sons and daughters." What made you believe so? Do you know what Ibrahim Sultan's vision was? Ibrahim Sultan's vision was none but Eritrea not to be part of Ethiopia. And do you know who his party members were? I assure you there was no a single person of your kind as his part member (as your name sounds).
Our peoples' suffering , that you are witing today started right after we got our independence from Ethiopia. Isn't it? I have lived in the 50s, 60s...... not such a suffer existed then. You probably believe so because you are too young to wit the truth. It is sad most of the young generation are subconsciously conditioned to believe today's propoganda.
I am your fan and your talents are extremely rare. no one can doubt your literary abilities. your articles on awate are my favorite. the latest one of chickens is the most hilarious and your penetrating eyes to the mind of the writers is amazing. I bet if you focus on writing a noble prize for literature, will come your way and we all shall be happy. keep writing and tell them as it happens.
Phoenix tale is a myth. A bird burned down, with its nest, to ashes and get to rise again fresh and beautiful, for another one thousand years is sure exiting fantasy disposed to be told by an elder to awed kids studded across camp fire. Phoenix bird may exist in the wild imagination of philologists and mythologists. Phoenix nation- a nation that rises up from ashes of history- yes, fresh and beautiful for another long life- undoubtedly exists in the minds and hearts 4.5 million of Eritreans. I believe we shall rise. Again!
On a sombre and serious note, let me quote from my column to sum up my unwavering belief in activism.
I believe in Eritrea. I believe in Eritreans. I believe we will see better days. I believe the God of fathers and mothers, the God of our land will not abandon us. I believe we have gone through a lot in our history, our present to simply fade away in the future. I believe in Ibrahim Sultan and Welwel and their sons and daughters
Good bless you and thank you for using your knowledge and energy on the service of our poor people.
Ghezae Bless you heart. You are true Eritrean not like the ones whi carry more than flag.
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