To the Governments of the UK, Israel, European Countries, USA, Canada, the European Commission and the United Nations

Subject: Petition to Protect the Rights and Safety of Eritrean Communities in the UK, Israel, Europe, USA and Canada

Dear All,

We, the undersigned, wish to address a matter of utmost importance that concerns the rights and safety of Eritrean communities in the UK, Israel, Europe, USA, and Canada. The recent attacks on Eritrean communities have ignited deep concerns about the well-being of innocent individuals who seek to celebrate their cultural heritage and live harmoniously within diverse societies.

At the outset, we express our gratitude and appreciation to the dedicated police officers who work tirelessly to ensure public safety and uphold the principles of law and order. We recognise the challenging tasks you undertake to protect us all.

Specifically, we express our utmost concern about the recent violent incident during a major Eritrean cultural festival at Järvafältet in Stockholm. The festival was expected to be attended by nearly 40,000 Eritreans but was disrupted by a group of individuals who engaged in hate crimes and acts of terrorism, including arson, causing injuries, destruction, and panic among festival attendees.

There have been numerous attacks internationally on Eritrean communities by individuals with connections to the TPLF. This is not a conflict between Eritreans themselves but rather a repercussion of TPLF's loss in the war with Ethiopia.

Chronology of Events

1. The chronology of recent events shows a clear link between the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) and the terrorist group Brigade Nhamedu. After the TPLF lost power in Ethiopia in July 2018, it refused to accept the peace deal between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Subsequently, the TPLF orchestrated attacks on Eritrean communities in the diaspora through coordinated digital and social media onslaughts. Their attacks intensified following the TPLF's military defeat in Ethiopia in  2022, showing a pattern of terrorism linked to the TPLF's political agenda. It is evident that the TPLF's involvement in terrorising Eritrean communities is a continuation of its efforts to destabilise the region and undermine peace and stability.

2. With the war that the TPLF launched on 4 November 2020 not going to plan and the TPLF essentially losing its armed wing in the process, the TPLF to a violent campaign against Eritrean communities in Europe and North America to try and create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among Eritreans in these countries.

3. The TPLF established the Brigade Nhamedu faction, which has launched a terror campaign to disrupt the longstanding tradition of peaceful Eritrean Festivals held annually within Eritrean communities. This disturbing pattern escalated notably after the successful Scandinavian Eritrean Festival in the summer of 2022, where Eritreans of all ages came together, fostering optimism for unified and serene cultural celebrations. Tragically, this wave of violence has obstructed individuals of Eritrean heritage in Europe and America, impeding their ability to commemorate their culture peacefully.

4. The Eritrean Concert held in Giessen in August 2022 marked the initial strike of the terrorist faction known as Brigade Nhamedu. During the event's preparations, the group launched a violent assault on young and elderly Eritreans. Subsequently, a distressing series of attacks unfolded, including the London Eritrean Independence Day on May 20th, 2023, the Eritrean Festival in Giessen in July 2023, and the Eritrean Festivals in Stockholm, Seattle, and Toronto, all in August 2023. The situation escalated further in Stockholm as parked vehicles, and traders' tents were deliberately set ablaze, adding to the mayhem and destruction.

5.   An Eritrean concert due to be held in Holland in the summer of 2022 was cancelled due to a campaign by Dutch politicians and academics with strong links with the TPLF. The concert cancellation further undermined the Eritrean community's right to celebrate its culture.

6. In September 2022, through threats of violence, an Eritrean Concert to commemorate the start of the Eritrean Liberation struggle was cancelled by London Local authorities. Eritreans who had gathered outside of the Eritrean Embassy in London on Sunday, 4 September 2022, to mark the 61st anniversary of the start of the Armed Eritrean Liberation Struggle were attacked by the terrorist group Brigade Nhamedu.

7. In July 2023, a festival for the Eritrean community in London, UK, was cancelled by the local authority at the last minute as the terrorist members were making the threat to burn the venue, injure and kill. This caused distress, especially among Eritrean children and families. We felt our right to assemble and celebrate our festival was compromised.

As concerned citizens, we urge the governments of Europe and North America, especially Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the USA, and Canada, to take immediate action to protect the rights and safety of Eritrean communities in their respective territories. We demand the following measure:

i. Comprehensive Investigations Conduct thorough and transparent investigations into the recent attacks on Eritrean communities. Identify the perpetrators and financiers behind these hate crimes and terrorist acts and ensure they are brought to justice.

ii. Enhanced Security Measures Implement enhanced security measures during Eritrean cultural festivals and gatherings to prevent similar attacks in the future. Utilise all available tools, including police dogs, water cannon units, and other necessary resources, to ensure the safety of festival attendees.

iii. Protection of Assembly Rights Guarantee the rights of Eritrean communities to assemble peacefully and celebrate their cultural heritage without fear of violence, disruption, or intimidation. Safeguard all citizens' freedom of expression and assembly, irrespective of their background.

iv. Prevention of Radicalization Take proactive measures to counter online campaigns that promote violence, hatred, and radicalisation among young individuals within the Eritrean community. Collaborate with relevant organisations to prevent and address such activities. It must be noted that known names are working in radicalising the young ones, and serious investigation is needed. It is important to listen to the Eritrean community.

v. Review of Citizenship and Asylum Applications Conduct thorough reviews of citizens and asylum applications of individuals suspected of being involved in attacks on Eritrean communities. If there is evidence of fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining legal status, take appropriate action to uphold the system's integrity.

vi. Collaboration among European Authorities Strengthen collaboration and information-sharing among European countries to address transnational threats and ensure the safety of Eritrean communities across borders.

vii. Promote Cultural Understanding Promoting cultural understanding and respect among communities is crucial for peaceful coexistence. Encouraging dialogue and engagement between people of different roots and nations can dispel misconceptions and build bridges. Those dissatisfied with the Eritrean festival can organise an alternative festival on the same day and invite anyone they wish.

The Right to Protest and Terrorism The right to protest, in most developed countries, particularly in the Canadian, USA, UK, Swedish, and European Union law, is reserved only for peaceful demonstration. However, the so-called Brigade Nhamedu group has threatened to kill and injure Eritreans and burn their venues, including churches and embassies.

In Sweden, they came armed with fuel, knives, and sticks to commit acts of terrorism. In the UK, they used metal crowbars, tinned canned foods as missiles, stones, and other dangerous objects to cause harm to peaceful members of the Eritrean community who were gathered at a seminar on 20 July 2023.

Everyone has the right to protest peacefully, but acts of terrorism, such as those carried out against the Eritrean community, should not and must not be allowed or tolerated. Peaceful Eritrean Festivals held by the Eritrean Community in Europe should be protected from violent, politically motivated demonstrations whose sole purpose is terrorising the Eritrean community. The police and other law enforcement agencies in these countries must not tolerate terrorism. They should make every effort to allow the Eritrean Community to celebrate its culture in peace and security.

Please uphold the European human rights law, UK human rights law, and Swedish human rights law in addressing these issues and protecting the safety and rights of all citizens.

Protecting the Eritrean community's rights and safety is not only a moral imperative but also a testament to the values of inclusivity, diversity, and human rights that European countries uphold. Addressing these concerns and taking proactive measures can create an environment where all citizens, including Eritreans, feel safe, valued, and protected.

We, the undersigned, call upon the governments of European countries to demonstrate their commitment to the principles of justice, equality, and respect for all by addressing these urgent issues promptly and effectively. By working together, we can create a society that celebrates cultural diversity and fosters harmonious relationships among all its members.

 

Sincerely,

Eritrean Communities and Civil Societies in Diaspora.