Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Israel
Jerusalem, Israel

Dear Prime Minister:

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our grave concern regarding the clashes between supporters of the oppressive regime in Eritrea and human rights activists in Tel Aviv, on September 2, 2023. Unfortunately, police officers and the refugees were injured during the protest when it turned violent when the pro-regime and opponents came into close contact with one another.

After gaining independence, Eritreans had hopes and dreams to build a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous nation.  Unfortunately, the heavy price paid for independence and freedom, instead, Eritreans find themselves ruled by one of the world’s most totalitarian regimes led by President Isaias Afwerki and junta of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Eritrea is a nation where human rights are non-existent, a country with no rule of law, rampant unlawful incarceration, endless national service and conscription of child soldiers, forced disappearances, torture and cruel treatment, arbitrary detention, and severe restrictions on freedom of speech, religion and movement.

U.S. State Department, 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Eritrea, says  “ Eritrea is a highly centralized, totalitarian regime under the control of President Isaias Afwerki. A constitution drafted in 1997 was never implemented. The People’s Front for Democracy and Justice, headed by the president, is the sole political party. There have been no national-level elections since an independence referendum in 1993.
https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/eritrea/

The aforementioned prevailing condition in the country is forcing thousands of Eritreans to flee their country in droves and seek refuge all over the world including in Israel.

Before the incident in Tel Aviv, protests also happened in other parts of the free world, which revealed  supporters of the dictatorial regime have become audaciously violent towards diaspora human rights activists to silence criticism. We understand and share the concerns of the communities relating to the protest and ensued violence; thus, we welcome the initiative taken by the authorities to investigate the veracity of the asylum seekers who fear persecution if they returned home as set out in the Convention of refugees from those who made fraudulent claims.

Dear Prime Minister:  

We urge you to halt the call for harsh measures that includes immediate and summary deportation of Eritreans. Since Israel is a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol, we call upon your government to:

• Apply the right to due process of law to all people involved as every person is innocent until proven guilty.   
• Provide medical care to the protesters who have been arrested and are still incarcerated without first aid treatment.
• Stop forced deportations of legitimate Eritrean refugees as they would face harsh punishments, imprisonment, torture, organ harvest and death by the totalitarian regime.
• Afford protection for the legitimate asylum seekers and extend humanitarian and legal aid.

We Thank you for your support and understanding. 

Sincerely, 

ERICAN FOUNDATION

For Democracy & Human Rights in Eritrea