Asmara, 22 February 2010 – Thousands of Eritrean nationals residing in Australia and New Zealand staged extensive demonstration today in Canberra city denouncing the shameful and unjust US sanctions resolution adopted in the name of the Security Council against Eritrea.

In the 9-hour long demonstration, the participants chanting various slogans condemning the vicious resolution began the rally around the Australian Parliament and then headed to the country’s Foreign Ministry, the UN Office, the European Union Office and the US Embassy. Various media outlets gave extensive coverage to the demonstration.

The demonstrators from all walks of life ranging from children to elderly persons chanted slogans highlighting the unity of the people and Government of Eritrea and conveyed a message of condemnation and petition signed by thousands of Eritreans and foreign friends of Eritrea to officials of the Australian Federal Government.

Besides, the participants marched to the UN Office and submitted a letter and supporting documents to the Director of the Office emphasizing that the vicious sanctions resolution is denounced by the Eritrean people and all peace-loving parties.

Later on, the organizers of the demonstration held talks with the Director of the Australian Foreign Ministry, as well as the EU Country Representative in Australia, during which they submitted a letter condemning the sanctions resolution and a petition comprising signatures by the participants of the demonstration. 

The demonstrators subsequently marched to the US Embassy chanting various slogans, including “As Ever, Solidarity with our Government,” “Priority as Ever to National Security,” “Let’s Annul the Unjust Sanctions Resolution through Resolute Rebuff,” among others. Members of the coordinating committee of the Mekete (Resolute Rebuff) held talks with the Secretary for Political Affairs in the US Embassy. The demonstration highlighting the voice of truth and justice was thus concluded.