Powerful authentic voice: “Women’s Right is Human Right"

Powerful authentic voice: “Women’s Right is Human Right"

By Petros Tesfagiorgis

The Organizing Committee of the Eritrean women in the United Kingdom held a vigil protest in front of the Eritrean Embassy in London on Friday March 8, 2013 in commemoration of the international women's day.  It was a rainy day most of the posters got wet and they have to be thrown away but the protesters held on bravely.

The demonstrators made visible to all the passers by not only to see and learn the suffering and pain of the Eritrean Women prisoners of conscience but also to share and pray for them and condemn the Eritrean Government.

The main powerful slogan “Women’s right is a human right “was able to connect the aim of International women’s day with the reality of oppression of women in Eritrea. Their authentic voice was the voice of real women rotting in the dungeons of PFDJ.

Women were fighting, and emerging from centuries of being held down.  It has been a difficult battle which is still not complete. The international women’s’ day is launched as a reminder of the continuation of the struggle.   It is also in solidarity with all those who stand-up and fight against the oppression of women globally and to remember those who are victims of abuse in this moment in time.  That is precisely what the Eritrean women did by protesting in front of the Eritrean Embassy as well as marching side by side with women from various communities in the UK, in line with their international obligation and solidarity. 

The vigil by the Eritrean women in London has been very significant: What strikes me most is the beauty of the four women (Aster Fitzehazion, Aster Yohanes, Miriam Hagos and Senait Debesai) depicted in one poster. It is a resounding testimony of the brutality of the human rights abuse in Eritrea. Their smiling and happy faces invoked in me the memory when they were happily struggling for a dream of a bright future for their people and themselves. The dream shattered today.  Senait Debesai was a member of the EPLF cultural troupe. She traveled all over the world including London. She is the sister of Ermias Debesai (Papayo) – a member of EPLF central committee and once head of European Desk in Europe and he used to be in London.  Working together I got close with his family of which Senait was one. Erimias Debesai is another prisoner of conscience who is rotting in jail. Last year his daughter participated in a demonstration in Germany calling the Eritrean Government to release all prisoners of conscience she has a poster which says, "Where is my father," It is heart breaking  She, her brother and her mother and all relatives and friends  haven't saw him for more than 12 years now. The pain and suffering of his family and the families of thousands like him ushered in the darkest period in the country’s history.  

Senait is known to thousands of people because of her songs. From 1988 to 1991 the Bologna festivals in Italy, was entertained by EPLF cultural troupe who used to travel all the way from the liberated areas of Eritrea. At the height of the festival’s popularity up to 8000 (in 1989, 1990 and 1991) people from all over the world used to come to celebrate.  It was taking place in August – during “fiera Augusto”-. The Bologna festival was the cultural pride of Eritreans.  It was a time when people were proud to be Eritreans.  Bologna radio's and newspapers used to cover the festivals. As a mark of respect and in recognition of the popular struggle of Eritreans and as a guest to the City of Bologna, the Bologna Municipality used to launch a dinner for the organisers and foreigner guests who supported the struggle. At that time Bologna, Florence and other Northern cities (the whole of Regio Emilia) was dominated by socialist oriented civil servants who are sympathetic to Eritrea.  At that moment in time the EPLF and ERA (Eritrean Relief Association) had an incredible international support.  In return a flower garland was put in the memorial statue of the Italians (the Unknown Soldier) who died during the Second World War. The meeting place "Palazzo del Congresso" and the huge camp where the tents were planted and the entertainment takes place were free. Camping was free and many buses were rented to move people from the camps to "Palazzo Del Congresso."

After independence Miriam Hagos was the director of Cinemas in Asmara – She used to organize film festivals which were quite innovative in that moment in time – she was extremely bright, speaks fluent English. She left good life in USA to join the EPLF and look how her dreams cruelly snatched away from her.

At that time Eritreans intellectuals were joining the EPLF in droves unlike today’s Diaspora supporters of PFDJ who don't want to go there and serve under PFDJ. For them it is a tourist destination where they and their children visit.  They don’t let their children serve in the army expecting the children of others fight and die for them. Such action is irresponsible.

Miriam Hagos used to come to the commercial Bank, where I was assigned to work, to ask for donations to run her projects. She was asking films from the Embassies for the festival. Nobody knows why she was incarcerated but it is a pattern, in Eritrea people are simply arrested and banished. The two Asters have also a glaring history of participation in the struggle for freedom.
The children of these women are growing without seeing their mothers; this is the most draconian abuse of human rights.

Women supporters of PFDJ also have commemorated the event in London: But do they know its significance? Can their fanfare behaviour relate to the cause of International women’s day?  

I meet a woman who participated in the event organised by PFDJ and supporters. She said it was good, full of fanfare with women dressed up their best. The band was good.  She said she met many people whom she didn’t see for quite a time. I asked her if  she knows the significance of International women’s day.  She didn’t have a clue. In a way I pity her and all those women who came just to entertain themselves.  These women and fellow men as well are deliberately kept in ignorance by the powerful indoctrinating mechanism of TV-ERE. They develop arrogance and mediocre  behaviour and sort of I know it all. Little do they know that ignorance is deeply inculcated in their attitude? They are therefore victims that need mental liberation.  It also represents a challenge to all Eritrean civil societies.  

These women by using the International Women’s day for their own amusement have stolen the moment where they should have used it to reflect on the suffering and pain of their sisters. It is time they should have asked the PFDJ to make amnesty to these innocent women. Instead they prefer to keep a blind eye.   It is a stark contrast with the demonstrators who advocates for their release. Women supporters of PFDJ have made a mockery of justice and humanity. 

Today in Diaspora it is the few Eritrean women who are taking the high ground in the fight against repression. My fascination remains with them.   They are being active and forefront in various campaigns in human rights, humanitarian and organising various activities.  I love to mention the names of some of the unsung heroes such as Elsa Chirum, Selam Kidane, Kedija  Ali Mohamed Nur, Dr. Alganesh  Fisseha (daughter of nicknamed Eritrean Ghandi) Meron Stephanos –Luul Seuyom., Ahlam Ali Aleg , Miriam September, Feven etc 

It is in capturing such eminence of Eritrean women that the Late Dr. Reesom Haile concocted his poem “Alewana, Alewuna”, “We have them women, we have them men”.

During the Arab spring a London based magazine called stylist interviewed three women. Their voice represents an Inspiration to the Arab Spring, as these Eritrean women are representing an inspiration to all Eritreans. The magazine Stylist talked to one of them.

She was an Egyptian named Marwa Sharafeldin, 34 years old. She said, “One day I learned that close friends of mine had been sexually assaulted on a protest march targeted by police men in disguise.  On that day my anger was bigger than my fear.  It was abominable what was happening, so I put on two layers of clothing, in case the first was ripped off, and I went out to make my voice heard.  That day was a milestone in my life – I knew that I couldn't conquer my fear but I could manage it. Over the next 5 years I joined more protest.
Yes, fear is a big issue in Eritrea as well but with proper awareness fear can be managed.

The commemoration of the International women's day – is to establish that the women are in the processes of creating the future and also to remind the world that women deserve equal right to men. And it is not to enjoy eating, drinking and socializing as the Eritreans women are made to believe by PFDJ, an aspect of disinformation in a subtle way.

La Luta Continua: democratic Eritrea will prevail

The fire the passion and the campaign against repression

The London Women’s Demonstration: March 8, 2013

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