As president of the Eritrean Community in Winnipeg Inc., I am deeply saddened that the Free Press published the article Protest links seminar to Eritrean terrorists (Aug. 23).
This egregious article contains malicious accusations against innocent members of the Eritrean community. The groundless accusations can marginalize the community and promote unfounded stigmatization. These accusations have damaged relations in the communities and polarized its members. They should be retracted promptly.
The Eritrean community gathers regularly and gets updated on issues affecting the community and its homeland. The community runs 25 to 30 projects a year to serve and benefit hundreds of newcomer refugees, and it has sponsored more than 1,000 refugees living in the war-torn areas of East Africa in the last six years.
The articles and the protesters attempt to link — with no evidence — ordinary members of the Eritrean community to one of the most inhuman and illegal activities. This is not only outrageous but is also dangerous.
By our long history and struggle for freedom, we are very strong advocates of human rights. The Eritrean community in Winnipeg has shown strong commitment to these values by its proven work record of 28 years in Manitoba.
The protesters crossed the point of political activism with their accusation.
Demonym Eritrean Government Provisional government
- President Isaias Afewerki
Independence
- From Italy November 1941
- From United Kingdom under UN Mandate 1951
- from Ethiopia de facto 24 May 1991
- From Ethiopia de jure 24 May 1993
Area
- Total 117,600 km2 (100th)
45,405 sq mi - Water (%) 0.14%
Population
- 2009 estimate 5,224,000[4] (109th)
- 2008 census 5,291,370
- Density 43.1/km2 (165th)
111.7/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate
- Total $3.625 billion[5]
- Per capita $681[5]
GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate
- Total $2.117 billion[5]
- Per capita $397[5]
HDI (2007) steady 0.472 (low) (165th)
Currency Nakfa (ERN)
Time zone EAT (UTC+3)
- Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+3)
Drives on the right
ISO 3166 code ER
Internet TLD .er
Calling code 291
1 ,. National TV: Eritrea Television (ERI-TV)
Eritrea (play /ˌɛrɨˈtreɪ.ə/ or /ˌɛrɨˈtriːə/;[6] Ge'ez: ኤርትራ ʾErtrā, Arabic: إرتريا Iritrīyā), officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast. The northeast and east of the country has an extensive coastline on the Red Sea, directly across from Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The Dahlak Archipelago and several of the Hanish Islands are part of Eritrea. Eritrea's size is approximately 117,600 km2 (45,406 sq mi) with an estimated population of 6 million...
Source: Wikipedia
comment closed