To: YouTube/Google, Relevant Legal Authorities, and Human Rights Organizations 

Subject: Immediate Removal of “Tefetawi TalkShow” for Defamation, Blackmail, Incitement of Violence, and Harassment 

We, the undersigned, urgently call for the shutdown of the YouTube channel “Tefetawi TalkShow,” owned and operated by Seltene Girmay, due to its consistent and egregious misuse of the platform to engage in defamation, false accusations, slander, blackmail, incitement of violence, and the abuse of individuals. This petition is based on documented evidence of harmful behavior, including the recent public threat to share an intimate image of Eritrean activist MT, as well as a pattern of online harassment and intimidation targeting individuals with differing political views. 

Background and Evidence

Curren ongoing issue: Seltene Girmay, the host of the YouTube channel “Tefetawi TalkShow,” has repeatedly used his platform to defame and harass individuals, including a young woman named Selam. When Selam requested that he remove videos featuring her from his channel, Girmay responded by publicly belittling her and making baseless accusations, claiming that people possessed her nude pictures—a statement intended to humiliate and intimidate her. This behavior is not only a gross violation of her privacy and dignity but also a clear example of online harassment and defamation. Screenshots and video evidence documenting these incidents are available upon request, providing irrefutable proof of his actions. Now, as public scrutiny grows and he faces backlash for his behavior, Girmay is attempting to rally support by exploiting regional and provincial divisions within the Eritrean community, further polarizing and manipulating his audience to evade accountability for his harmful actions. Such tactics underscore his disregard for ethical conduct and his willingness to weaponize personal and communal differences to maintain his platform.

On February 20, 2025, Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE) issued a public statement condemning Seltene Girmay’s actions. During a live-streamed debate, Girmay threatened to share an intimate image of activist MT, a clear act of blackmail and intimidation. This threat, which was recorded and widely circulated on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, constitutes a violation of U.S. federal and state laws, including: 

- Revenge Porn & Cyber Harassment Laws: Criminalizing the threat to distribute explicit images without consent. 

- Extortion & Blackmail Laws: Prohibiting threats made to gain leverage over someone. 

- Defamation & False Accusations: Addressing the spread of false statements to harm someone’s reputation. 

- Cyberstalking and Online Harassment Laws: Protecting individuals from repeated harmful behavior causing emotional distress. 

Girmay’s actions are not isolated incidents. His channel has a documented history of spreading hatred, making false accusations, defaming individuals, and inciting violence against those who hold differing political views or belong to groups he disapproves of. Such behavior creates a hostile online environment, particularly for Eritrean activists and human rights defenders, and sets a dangerous precedent for the misuse of social media platforms. 

Legal and Ethical Violations

Seltene Girmay’s actions violate both ethical standards and legal frameworks, including: 

1. YouTube’s Community Guidelines: Prohibiting harassment, cyberbullying, hate speech, and threats. 

2. U.S. Federal and State Laws: Criminalizing revenge porn, blackmail, defamation, and online harassment. 

3. International Human Rights Standards: Protecting individuals from intimidation, defamation, and incitement to violence. 

Call to Action 

We demand the following actions: 

1. Immediate Removal of “Tefetawi TalkShow”: YouTube must permanently shut down Seltene Girmay’s channel for violating its community guidelines and enabling harmful behavior. 

2. Legal Accountability: Relevant authorities should investigate Girmay’s actions and hold him accountable under applicable laws. 

3. Support for Victims: Victims of Girmay’s harassment, including MT, should be provided with legal and emotional support to seek justice. 

4. Community Solidarity: The Eritrean community and human rights organizations must stand together to denounce online abuse and protect vulnerable individuals. 

Conclusion:

The continued operation of “Tefetawi TalkShow” poses a significant threat to the safety, dignity, and rights of individuals targeted by Seltene Girmay. By allowing such behavior to persist, YouTube risks enabling a culture of impunity for online harassment and violence. We urge YouTube, legal authorities, and human rights organizations to take immediate action to shut down this channel and hold Seltene Girmay accountable for his actions.